Progress: Advancing Parkinson's Research, the Parkinson's Disease Society research conference dedicated to showcasing the work of young Parkinson's disease researchers, was held in York in November 2008, attracting nearly 200 delegates. Neil Archibald, Parkinson's Disease Society Research Fellow, reports on some of the highlights of the conference, including stem cell and gene therapy research, the role of Lewy bodies in dementia and the use of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd