Our research interests involve molecular mechanisms that underpin the pathogenesis and aetiology of mammalian diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease 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)
• the role of transglutaminase enzymes in cell cycle control and cell death
• cellular biology of natural products including drugs and antioxidants
• mechanisms underpinning glycation chemistry in models of oxidative disease states.

Supervision and support

The Cellular Pathology and Molecular Genetics Group occupies two fully dedicated, tissue culture laboratories and one molecular biology research laboratory on-site in our Cambridge campus. Specialist features include our own dedicated flow cytometer and access to gene sequencing facilities on site. Post graduate research is supported by two full time research assistants.

Training courses in a variety of key biological techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cell biology are available on site, together with an established formal programme-long training portfolio in scientific wring and related skills.

Facilities

Our facilities include:

• 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 (i.e. SDS page / western blotting)
• DNA sequencing facilities.

Funding

Aside from self-funding or funding by your employer, charities and trusts (competitively sought after, as are Research Council Awards), career, graduate, and professional study loans may be available. Visit: www.family-action.org.uk for information on educational trusts, or www.direct.gov.uk for bank loans at competitive rates. Alternatively, visit your local high-street bank for more information.

Career development and training

New research students have to be trained in tissue culture using our certificated week long in house course before starting their research. We run run obligatory training courses on scientific writing, library use, and ethics as an essential part of research training. As research student, you will be expected to contribute to our weekly research student seminar series, and to act as our representative at national and international scientific conferences as part of your personal development as an independent scientist.

• Dr Peter Coussons (Head of Cellular Pathology and Molecular Genetics Group) BSc, PhD (Senior lecturer Biomedical Science) - role of Transglutaminase enzymes in health and disease; Oxidative aspects of chronic disease
• Dr Alison Thomas, BSc, PhD (Senior lecturer Genetics) - genetic analysis of environmental effects in animal populations
• Dr Leigh Stoeber BSc, PhD (Senior lecturer Biomedical Science) - molecular markers of cell cycle control
• Dr Beverley Vaughan BSc, PhD (Senior lecturer Biomedical Science) - cellular toxicity of piperazine based pharmaceuticals
• Dr David Hughes, BSc, PhD (Senior lecturer Biomedical Science) - nutritional effectors of cell signalling
• Mrs Helen McRobie, BSc, (Lecturer in Biomedical Science) - role of Melanocortin receptor (MC1R in control of pigmentation)
• Mrs Jocelyn Pryce, BSc, PhD (Lecturer Biomedical Science) - histopathology of disease

Candidates seeking admission to the degree of MPhil or MPhil with possibility of transfer to PhD will normally be required to hold a first or upper second class honours degree of a university, or any other institution of higher education in the UK with degree-awarding powers or a qualification which is regarded by Anglia Ruskin as equivalent to a first or upper second class honours degree.