BSc (Hons) (Glasgow, 1977); PhD (Glasgow, 1980)
Senior Research Fellow
- About
-
- Email Address
- c.harrington@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 438563
- Office Address
Liberty Building, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP United Kingdom
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Biography
Charlie Harrington graduated in Microbiology from Glasgow University where he developed an interest in chemical microbiology and the study of microbial cell walls. He completed his PhD working with Dr Julia Douglas on cell wall synthesis in yeast and followed with a one-year NIH-funded Fellowship with Dr Wilf Arnold in Kansas City, Missouri studying enzymes within the yeast cell envelope. After this, Charlie joined Professor Sir James Baddiley in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge as a Research Fellow, where he spent four years investigating the synthesis of bacterial cell wall polymers. Dr Harrington then spent over two years at Murex Medical Research Ltd., Cambridge, developing diagnostic tests for microbial diseases, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and sexually transmitted diseases. This combined monoclonal antibody technology with his knowledge of the microbial cell surface.
In 1988, he joined Claude Wischik working at the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology. Working in the Cambridge Brain Bank Laboratory over a period of 10 years. During this time, Wischik, Harrington and colleagues developed an assay for screening agents having the potential to prevent the tau pathology that is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Charlie moved with Professor Wischik, in 1998, to the University of Aberdeen, where he was appointed as a Senior Research Fellow.
The Alzheimer's research was translated to the clinic, through a spin-out company, TauRx Therapeutics, who are conducting phase 3 trials of hydromethylthionine. Dr Harrington is Chief Scientific Officer for TauRx Therapeutics Ltd responsible for the non-clinical activities of the company.
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Microbiology1977 - University of Glasgow
- PhD Microbiology1980 - University of Glasgow
Latest Publications
Inhibiting disulphide bonding in truncated tau297-391 results in enhanced self-assembly of tau into seed-competent assemblies
ACS Chemical NeuroscienceContributions to Journals: ArticlesBlood Biomarkers from Research Use to Clinical Practice: What Must Be Done? A Report from the EU/US CTAD Task Force
Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 569-579Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSystematic gait analysis in alpha-synuclein transgenic line 62 mice using the CatWalk
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 496, 115819Contributions to Journals: ArticlesA key region of Tau that is able to drive assembly and modulate inhibition by Hydromethylthionine
Journal of Molecular Biology, vol. 437, no. 17, 169231Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2025.169231
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/7a09658e-98e2-46e0-b61c-ea4a48f823ab/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Proteomic and non-proteomic changes of presynaptic proteins in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease: A meta-analysis 2015-2023
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 107, no. 2, pp. 452-476Contributions to Journals: Articles
- Research
-
Research Overview
Dr Harrington has research interests in the neurodegenerative diseases and, in particular, Alzheimer’s disease. His main focus has been on the biology of tau protein in aging and in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Harrington’s research is aimed at diseases that are characterised by protein aggregation and methods by which these processes might be prevented.
- Publications
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Page 1 of 3 Results 1 to 50 of 107
Inhibiting disulphide bonding in truncated tau297-391 results in enhanced self-assembly of tau into seed-competent assemblies
ACS Chemical NeuroscienceContributions to Journals: ArticlesBlood Biomarkers from Research Use to Clinical Practice: What Must Be Done? A Report from the EU/US CTAD Task Force
Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 569-579Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSystematic gait analysis in alpha-synuclein transgenic line 62 mice using the CatWalk
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 496, 115819Contributions to Journals: ArticlesA key region of Tau that is able to drive assembly and modulate inhibition by Hydromethylthionine
Journal of Molecular Biology, vol. 437, no. 17, 169231Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2025.169231
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/7a09658e-98e2-46e0-b61c-ea4a48f823ab/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Proteomic and non-proteomic changes of presynaptic proteins in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease: A meta-analysis 2015-2023
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 107, no. 2, pp. 452-476Contributions to Journals: ArticlesHydromethylthionine sustains truncated tau-dependent inflammation-lowering effects in mouse brain
FEBS Journal, vol. 292, no. 10, pp. 2602-2623Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.70021
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/372a1f89-dc2a-4be5-a64e-19083dc6d8d6/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Inhibiting disulphide bonding in truncated tau297-391 results in enhanced self-assembly of tau into seed-competent assemblies
Working Papers: Preprint Papers- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.02.05.636249
Rivastigmine interferes with the pharmacological activity of hydromethylthionine on presynaptic proteins in the line 66 model of frontotemporal dementia
Brain Research Bulletin, vol. 220, 111172Contributions to Journals: ArticlesHigh-affinity antibodies specific to the core region of the tau protein exhibit diagnostic and therapeutic potential for Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, vol. 16, 209Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-024-01561-1
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/16d6fd7f-e75d-41e6-9988-873e405154e6/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Rescue of synaptosomal glutamate release defects in tau transgenic mice by the tau aggregation inhibitor hydromethylthionine
Cellular Signalling, vol. 121, 111269Contributions to Journals: ArticlesHydromethylthionine rescues synaptic SNARE proteins in a mouse model of tauopathies: interference by cholinesterase inhibitors
Brain Research Bulletin, vol. 212, 110955Contributions to Journals: ArticlesConsiderations for biomarker strategies in clinical trials investigating tau-targeting therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease
Translational neurodegeneration, vol. 13, 25Contributions to Journals: Review articlesLETC inhibits α-Syn aggregation and ameliorates motor deficiencies in the L62 mouse model of synucleinopathy
European Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 970, 176505Contributions to Journals: ArticlesNeuroprotection of Cholinergic Neurons with a Tau Aggregation Inhibitor and Rivastigmine in an Alzheimer's-like Tauopathy Mouse Model
Cells, vol. 13, no. 7, 642Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAssays for the Screening and Characterization of Tau Aggregation Inhibitors
Tau Protein: Methods and Protocols. 2 edition, pp. 93-104, 12 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters (Peer-Reviewed)- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_5
Solubility of α-synuclein species in the L62 mouse model of synucleinopathy
Scientific Reports, vol. 14, 6239Contributions to Journals: ArticlesApathy-like behaviour in tau mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia
Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 456, 114707Contributions to Journals: ArticlesA Meta-Analysis on Presynaptic Changes in Alzheimer's Disease
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 145-162Contributions to Journals: ArticlesExploring the Anti-Hypoxaemia Effect of Hydromethylthionine: A Prospective Study of Phase 3 Clinical Trial Participants
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 18, 13747Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813747
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/029b2654-85f4-47f9-9fbb-53ce74475240/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Mitochondrial Effects of Hydromethylthionine, Rivastigmine and Memantine in Tau-Transgenic Mice
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 13, 10810Contributions to Journals: ArticlesUtility of Blood-Based Tau Biomarkers for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Cells, vol. 12, no. 8, 1184Contributions to Journals: Review articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12081184
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/5a7834d0-3873-4ab0-8e73-39d8d3e700e3/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
An Additive-Free Model for Tau Self-Assembly
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), vol. 2551, pp. 163-188Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2597-2_12
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Solid-state NMR of paired helical filaments formed by the core tau fragment tau(297-391)
Frontiers in Neuroscience, vol. 16, 988074Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.988074
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/7eef7824-8886-4023-91e6-06245d0a03c3/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Dityrosine Cross-links are Present in Alzheimer's Disease-derived Tau Oligomers and Paired Helical Filaments (PHF) which Promotes the Stability of the PHF-core Tau (297–391) In Vitro
Journal of Molecular Biology, vol. 434, no. 19, 167785Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167785
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/0a8f0abd-6cef-4f77-98b1-76e0eabc280f/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Glutamatergic transmission and receptor expression in the synucleinopathy h-α-synL62 mouse model: Effects of hydromethylthionine
Cellular Signalling, vol. 97, 110386Contributions to Journals: ArticlesHMTM-Mediated Enhancement of Brain Bioenergetics in a Mouse Tauopathy Model Is Blocked by Chronic Administration of Rivastigmine
Biomedicines, vol. 10, no. 4, 867Contributions to Journals: ArticlesHydromethylthionine enhancement of central cholinergic signalling is blocked by rivastigmine and memantine
Journal of Neurochemistry, vol. 160, pp. 172-184Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDegeneration of basal and limbic networks is a core feature of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia
Brain Communications, vol. 3, no. 4, fcab241Contributions to Journals: ArticlesLong-term hydromethylthionine treatment is associated with delayed clinical onset and slowing of cerebral atrophy in a pre-symptomatic P301S MAPT mutation carrier
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 83, no. 3, pp. 1017-1023Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-210390
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/ef8b32b2-335b-468f-930e-a8e0751fbda2/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Proteomic analysis of hydromethylthionine in the line 66 model of frontotemporal dementia demonstrates actions on tau-dependent and tau-independent networks
Cells, vol. 10, no. 8, 2162Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10082162
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/131e3534-c036-4040-a381-e552f642e322/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Tau Protein Phosphorylated at Threonine-231 Is Expressed Abundantly in the Cerebellum in Prion Encephalopathies
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 81, no. 2, pp. 769-785Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-201308
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/37aa6cec-2ed7-4219-9009-3485309778f2/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Elucidating the neuropathologic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Frontiers in Neurology, vol. 12, 660087Contributions to Journals: ArticlesInsoluble Vascular Amyloid Deposits Trigger Disruption of the Neurovascular Unit in Alzheimer’s Disease Brains
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 22, no. 7, 3654Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073654
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/359434ba-711a-405b-8e75-df53db238f93/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Oxidative Stress Conditions Result in Trapping of PHF-Core Tau (297–391) Intermediates
Cells, vol. 10, no. 3, 703Contributions to Journals: ArticlesThe Neurovascular Unit Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 22, no. 4, 2022Contributions to Journals: Review articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22042022
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/3b9dc36d-ec3a-4bcc-be8c-61b3f51c3f49/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Molecular Processing of Tau Protein in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Neuronal and Glial Degeneration
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 1517-1531Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-201139
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/6c5b5a61-b684-425a-ae0e-b2e819088d77/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Differential compartmental processing and phosphorylation of pathogenic human tau and native mouse tau in the Line 66 model of frontotemporal dementia
Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 295, no. 52, pp. 18508-18523Contributions to Journals: ArticlesCurrent Progress and Future Directions for Tau-Based Fluid Biomarker Diagnostics in Alzheimer’s Disease
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 21, no. 22, pp. 1-19Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228673
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/997e480f-f45a-476e-9038-4e42a8e187ac/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Tau Filament Self-Assembly and Structure: Tau as a Therapeutic Target.
Frontiers in Neurology, vol. 11, 590754Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.590754
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/e55ed5c9-07a3-4b04-acf1-8b62a320679c/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
PHF-Core Tau as the Potential Initiating Event for Tau Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease
Frontiers in cellular neuroscience, vol. 14, 247Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2020.00247
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/b330d3a0-635c-482a-b574-c5868139687d/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Paired helical filament forming region of tau (297-391) influences endogenous tau protein and accumulates in acidic compartments in human neuronal cells
Journal of Molecular Biology, vol. 432, no. 17, pp. 4891-4907Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2020.05.027
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/1180919d-7bb9-4ef0-b615-bcead7669252/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
National Dementia BioBank: A Strategy for the Diagnosis and Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases in México
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 76, no. 3, pp. 853-862Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-191015
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Analysis of the Relationship Between Metalloprotease-9 and Tau Protein in Alzheimer's Disease
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 553-569Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-200146
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Concentration-Dependent Activity of Hydromethylthionine on Clinical Decline and Brain Atrophy in a Randomized Controlled Trial in Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 75, no. 2, pp. 501-519Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-191173
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/53b6ee0c-d5be-45c3-90a0-1afea8f620c4/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Mechanisms of anticholinesterase interference with tau aggregation inhibitor activity in a tau-transgenic mouse model
Current Alzheimer Research, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 285-296Contributions to Journals: ArticlesCholinergic and inflammatory phenotypes in transgenic tau mouse models of Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
Brain Communications, vol. 2, no. 1, fcaa033Contributions to Journals: ArticlesTau (297-391) forms filaments that structurally mimic the core of paired helical filaments in Alzheimer's disease brain
FEBS LETTERS, vol. 594, no. 5, pp. 944-950Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/1873-3468.13675
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/a1e6143f-ac8d-4b86-9587-c72bbd87d69c/download
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Concentration-Dependent Activity of Hydromethylthionine on Cognitive Decline and Brain Atrophy in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 931-946Contributions to Journals: ArticlesPhospho-Tau Protein Expression in the Cell Cycle of SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells: A Morphological Study
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 631-645Contributions to Journals: ArticlesIncreased Cholinergic Response in α-Synuclein Transgenic Mice (h-α-synL62)
ACS Chemical Neuroscience, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1915-1922Contributions to Journals: Articles