Monaco group

Research Overview

Historically the Monaco Research Group has focused on identifying and characterising genes involved in human neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders.

The study of the genetic basis of these disorders is the first step towards understanding the mechanism of disease and normal brain function as well as providing better strategies for therapy.

The Group has worked in two main areas:

(1) The genetics of neurodevelopmental disorders: the Group has worked on the genetics of autism, Specific Language Impairment (SLI) and developmental dyslexia. These are all complex genetic disorders. Over the past 15 years or so, there has been remarkable success tracking down genes for single-gene disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington's disease. But such approaches are not usually powerful enough for complex genetic disorders. Recently, however, novel strategies have been developed that are more appropriate for finding genes influencing complex disorders.

(2) The positional cloning and functional characterization of monogenic neurological diseases such as genetics of the following single-gene (monogenic) neurological diseases: Chorea Acanthocytosis (CHAC) and Menkes disease.


Key Publications


Funding Sources

Wellcome Trust, Advocacy of Neuroacanthocytosis Patients.  

Research Area(s)



autism, dyslexia, specific language impairment (SLI), ChAc, Menkes disease, Neurogenetics, developmental disorders