Matthew Wood

Matthew Wood, FMedSci, is Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oxford. His research team is based in the Department of Paediatrics at the Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine (IDRM). His work focuses on developing new genetic medicines for rare genetic disorders, including neurological and neuromuscular disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and rare heart muscle disorders. As head of the globally recognised Laboratory of RNA Biology and Neuromuscular Disease, he is advancing next-generation RNA-based therapies designed to address the underlying causes of these diseases. 

Matthew leads several major initiatives in rare disease research, serving as Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the Oxford–Harrington Rare Disease Centre, Director of the MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Co-Director of the Medical Research Council Centre of Excellence in Therapeutic Genomics and as Co-investigator of the British Heart Foundation CureHeart programme. His research has led to the development of multiple innovations including advanced delivery technologies for RNA-based therapies such as oligonucleotides, for example peptide and exosome technologies, to improve how cutting-edge therapies reach patients. Through this work, he has co-founded several successful biotechnology companies, including Evox Therapeutics, PepGen, Orfyonx Bio, ISOgenix and Cora Biosciences, helping translate these scientific discoveries and innovations into real-world treatments. He also played a leading role in establishing the UK’s Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator (NATA), serving as its founding director. 

Matthew serves on the Board of University of Oxford technology transfer company, Oxford University Innovation, serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Genomics England, is a Vice President of Muscular Dystrophy UK, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.