Matthew Wood, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, is a world-leading scientist developing therapies for neurological disorders, particularly Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He led the Consortium that demonstrated the clinical potential of a now FDA-approved oligonucleotide therapy for DMD. Professor Wood founded a spin-out company in order to translate novel peptide-oligonucleotide technology for patient benefit and led a major UK Government initiative to establish a Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator to rapidly advance the development of gene-based medicines for UK patients. He has a very distinguished record of public engagement, and was made Vice President of Muscular Dystrophy UK.