The majority of my research experience and training has been in the area of cellular and molecular biology, specifically looking at haemopoietic diseases such as leukaemia and the effect of ageing on the cells of the immune system. I have many years experience in using cell models of disease to analyse the effects on growth factors, signalling pathways and gene expression profiles using techniques such as stem cell differentiation, proteomic analysis and molecular genetics techniques including transcriptome analysis and real-time PCR.

I am currently focused on projects examining how changes in gene expression profiles are involved in the pathogeneiss and progression of myeloproliferative neoplasms and myeloid leukamia. This is part of a collaborative body of work with researchers at the Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow. Examples of current projects include investigating the role of the Wnt pathway in leukaemia and specifically how changes to this signalling network manifest themselves in altered expression of downstream transcription factors such as LEF1, TCF3,4 & 7. Current projects are also investigating how isoform specific expression of transcription factors regulates progression of myeloid leukaemia.

My experience in using cell systems as disease models combined with advances in technology has given much greater capacity to quantify the changes that occur within the cell in processes such as gene expression and protein phosphorylation. The amount of data able to be generated within a short timeframe has increased exponentially in the past few years and has presented challenges associated with the ability to analyse and interpret the results obtained. I am currently working to increase my skills and training to allow a more bioinformatic approach to my research which should enable a more in-depth understanding of disease processes.

University of Glasgow

Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, Glasgow

MERCK KGaA

Stem Cell Technologies