Research
Cell signalling, physiology and pathophysiology of secretory epithelial cells
My research work focuses on the interface of cell signalling, physiology and pathophysiology of secretory epithelial cells.
Current research projects include:
1. Cell signalling mechanisms in pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
The role of calcium ions in triggering acute pancreatitis is an important focus of our research work. Particular attention in this respect is given to Ca2+ - dependent formation and processing of vacuoles in pancreatic acinar cells and Ca2+ -induced damage to mitochondria.
We are interested in the role of Ca2+ and Ca2+- binding proteins in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer.
We also investigate the role of other signalling pathways (particularly cAMP, NO and reactive oxygen species) in the pathophysiology of the exocrine pancreas.
Another recent area of research interest is the role of non-canonical autophagy in pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
2. Calcium signalling, bioenergetics and cell physiology.
Investigation of the basic mechanisms of Ca2+ signalling and downstream targets of the Ca2+ signalling cascade is the major research line of my laboratory. We study the cellular physiology of store operated Ca2+ entry (including the structure and functions of the junctions between the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane that serve as the platforms for the Ca2+ entry), links between Ca2+ signalling and mitochondrial metabolism, activation and translocation of Ca2+ binding proteins, Ca2+-dependent gene expression and role of Ca2+ in cell death (apoptosis and necrosis).
3. Interacting second messenger cascades.
A study of the interactions between different signalling cascades (Ca2+, NO, reactive oxygen species, cAMP and other) is an important recent research direction in our laboratory.
4. Development of optical techniques and applications for optical techniques to cell biology.
Our research group has a strong technical background. One of the important activities of our research group is the development of optical techniques for studies of cell physiology and pathophysiology.
Research grants
Liverpool array tomography: revitalising and strengthening the capabilities of a national hub for biomedical volume EM research (Liverpool AT: vEM)
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2024 - February 2025
Investigating mitochondrial dynamics and ER-mitochondrial communication in RPE in ageing and macular disease
MACULAR DISEASE SOCIETY (UK)
September 2021 - August 2024
LAP-like non-canonical autophagy in pancreatic acinar cells and its role in the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2020 - June 2023
A multimodal imaging platform with real-time super-resolution for research across the life sciences
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
May 2018 - April 2019
The role of mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter in initiation and development of acute pancreatitis
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2016 - April 2019
Wellcome Trust Four-Year PhD Studentship with the Cellular and Molecular Physiology PhD Programme
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2014 - September 2018
Wellcome Trust four year PhD studentship with the Cellular and Molecular Physiology Programme
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2013 - September 2017
Liverpool Imaging Partnership: Molecular physiology and drug response
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2013 - February 2017
Interaction of endocytic vacuoles with cellular organelles as a trigger for the cell damage in acute pancreatitis.
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2013 - April 2016
Wellcome Trust Four Year PhD Studentship with the PhD Programme in Cellular and Molecular Physiology - 2010
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2010 - March 2015
Liverpool 3View: a national hub for 3D-EM bioscience research
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2014 - December 2014
Research Capability Funding for Hayley Dingsdale and Alex Burdyga
ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)
October 2012 - January 2013
Four year PhD Programme (2008)
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2008 - December 2012
Ca2+ Signalling, Organelle Dysfunction and Pancreatis
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
November 2008 - October 2011
Store operated calcium entry in pancreatic acinar cells
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2006 - September 2010
The mechanisms of Stim1 translocation in the activation of calcium entry
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2006 - September 2010
Ion channels and pumps in secretory cells: pancreatic acinar physiology and pathology.
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2003 - September 2008
Four year PhD Programme in Cellular and Molecular Physiology.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2003 - September 2007
University of Liverpool Institutional Discipline Bridging.
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2003 - October 2006
Transcellular fluxes of Na+, K+ and C1- in intact pancreatic tissue.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2002 - September 2006
Calcium Signalling in Endoplasmic Reticulum of Hippocampal Neurones.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
December 2002 - May 2006
Determination of a possible role for Cap-G in pancreatic cancer cell movement and /or invasion.
NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH FUND
February 2004 - February 2005
Functional analysis of S100A6 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
CANCER RESEARCH UK (UK)
January 2004 - December 2005
Four year PhD Programme in Cellular and Molecular Physiology.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2000 - September 2004
Cellular and molecular physiology programme.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
July 2004 - August 2004
Four year PhD Programme in Cellular and Molecular Physiology.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2000 - September 2004
Ion channels and pumps in secretory cells.
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 1998 - September 2003
Study of the function of hippocalcin in hippocampal neurons.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 1999 - September 2003
Cellular and Molecular Physiology (Mr. M.C. Ashby).
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 1998 - September 2002
Cellular and Molecular Physiology (Ms. E.R. Longbottom).
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 1998 - September 2002
How oscillations spread through cross-talk between signal transduction pathways and metabolic pathways.
INTAS
December 1998 - November 2001