Staff Member

I am a cell biologist with interests in pro-inflammatory signalling networks and regulation of gene expression, especially with regard to the activity of proteases and extracellular matrix turnover in disease, particularly osteoarthritis and co-morbidities such as obesity.  Consequently, I have applied expertise in joint/cartilage and adipose tissue biology and a range of techniques encompassing in vivo disease and exercise models, tissue explant and 2D/3D cell culture, immunohisto/cytochemistry, microscopy, protein chemistry and proteolysis (particularly matrix metalloproteinases, gene expression modification and transcriptomic analyses, in order to study disease mechanisms.

My primary research focus is on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning the importance of proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) in osteoarthritis, the most prevalent musculoskeletal disease.  PAR2 exhibits profound roles in joint destruction/remodelling, inflammation and pain, making this protease sensor an attractive potential target for new therapeutics.  This work has been a key stimulus leading me to develop new and collaborative interests in complementary areas such as bone biology, exercise physiology, mechanotransduction, wound healing and mesenchymal stem cells.

NHS, World Health Organisation, University of Glasgow