The Cellular Pathology and Molecular Genetics Group (CPMG)

Since its initial start up in February 2009, the CP&MG laboratory has developed into a fully furnished and operational facility, dedicated to specialised tissue culture research. Our expertise is evidenced through publication of our work in high impact journals, and conference presentations/proceedings at both local and international meetings.

Mission

To establish a cohesive and organized research group identity for Cellular Pathology and Molecular Genetics that integrates research into the genotypic and phenotypic relationships which underpin our understanding of health, disease and ageing in human and animal models.

Aims of the group

  • To promote our postgraduate research and staff development.
  • To raise teaching quality and developing cross-disciplinary research with other areas of the faculty.
  • To facilitate a route for medical staff who wish to apply for training and fellowship status.

Research interests and projects

Research interests involve molecular mechanisms that underpin the pathogenesis and aetiology of mammalian diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular and chronic myeloproliferative diseases. Current projects include:
  • Investigation of cryptic genomic biomarkers in human patients with myeloproliferative disease,
  • Investigation into the mechanism by which human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) modulates glycoaminoglycan turnover in a nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-dependent porcine explant model of rheumatoid arthritis
  • The molecular genetics of the melanocortin receptor (MC1R).

Specialised research equipment and facilities

  • Tissue culture (developing cell transfection expression systems)
  • Different cell lines (Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, HepG2 hepatocytes and CAKI-2 kidney cells)
  • Flow cytometry
  • FISH - Fluorescence in situ hybridization
  • PCR genetics (real time PCR and standard PCR)
  • Biochemistry (ie SDS page / Western blotting)
  • DNA sequencing facilities

Members

Dr Peter Coussons: Senior Lecturer in BMS (Director of Research for Biomedical Science)
Mrs Joanne Denny BSc: DNA Sequencing Technician
Dr David Hughes: Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science
Mrs Helen McRobie: Lecturer in Biomedical Science
Mrs Nicky Milner: Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science
Dr Leigh Stoeber (nee Eward, K.): Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science
Dr Alison Thomas: Senior Lecturer in Genetics
Ms Petre Chovancova
Dr Beverley Vaughan: Senior Lecturer in BMS
Ms Angela Wheatley: Research Technician

Publications

Okuyama, M., Laman, H., Kingsbury, S., Visintin, C., Leo, E., Eward, K., Stoeber, K., Boshoff, C., Williams, G., Selwood, D. 2007. Small-molecule mimics of an alpha-helix for efficient transport of proteins into cells. Natural methods 4 (2):153-9.

Vaughan, B., Scott, M., Howard, J., Nacheva, E. 2007. Application of growth factor stimulants improves analysis of chronic myeloproliferative disorder patients without alteration to cell lineage or clonality. Cancer genetics cytogenetics 175: 98-106.

Coussons, P., Baig, S., Fanutti, C., Grant, R. 2005. Novel tissue remodelling roles for human recombinant erythropoietin. Biochemical Society Transactions. (minireview) 33 (5): 1129-113.


Contact

If you are interested in conducting research in any of the projects above or areas related to these please contact Dr Peter Coussons for more information at peter.coussons@anglia.ac.uk.

For further information on the work of the The Cellular Pathology and Molecular Genetics Group please visit our Microsite
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