Research
Dr Pekovic-Vaughan's laboratory is pursuing an interdisciplinary research programme at the interface between molecular medicine, circadian physiology and systems biology, and elucidating biological mechanisms from molecules and cells to whole organisms and system-level network modelling. We are investigating the feedback interactions between circadian rhythms, a timing mechanism present in all cells, and diverse cellular signalling pathways in the regulation of normal physiological processes ranging from stem cell differentiation to cellular responses to stress and transcriptional gene regulation.
Discovering basic molecular mechanisms is critical in building our understanding of how circadian redox misalignments contribute to many chronic age-related conditions we study in our group (e.g. sarcopenia, lung fibrosis, chronic wounds, cardiac disease) and human inherited diseases (e.g. Collagen VI myopathies, Laminopathies, Peripheral neuropathies, Systemic Sclerosis, Marfan Syndrome and Fabry Disease). We wish to uncover how ageing and various chronic conditions (e.g. shift work or disease) impact tissue repair and responses to injury/stress, and how these processes can be modulated by chrono-therapeutic approaches (both pharmacological or non-pharmacological such as diet and exercise) in order to improve tissue resilience and delay precocious tissue atrophy, scarring or degeneration.
We are actively investigating the translational potential of utilizing chronotherapy in smarter drug repurposing (e.g. antiviral candidates in post-COVID, novel retinoic acid based candidates for neuromuscular ageing).
We employ a wide range of state-of-the-art molecular, cellular, biochemical, bioinformatic and in vivo approaches, including advanced molecular biology tools, transgenic clock-reporter mice, real-time bioluminescence imaging, ‘omic’ profiling approaches (RNAseq, proteomics, metabolomics) and epigenetics (ATACseq, ChiPseq).
The research programme in Dr Pekovic-Vaughan's group’s is funded through UKRI (MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC), Welcome Trust, RoseTrees Trust, Muscular Dystrophy (MD) UK, Dowager Eleanor Peel Trust, Age UK, Newton Fund, The Royal Society and CIMA (MRC/Versus Arthritis).
For our research on Extracellular Matrix Ageing (ECMAge), funded by BBSRC/MRC interdisciplinary UK Ageing national network (UKAnet) for Ageing across Life Course, please follow the link
https://www.ukanet.org.uk/ec-mage
For our research on the role of circadian rhythms and chronotherapy in Collagen VI myopathies, please see the link on MD UK website
https://www.musculardystrophyuk.org/research/our-research/internal-body-clocks-circadian-clocks-in-the-pathology-of-congenital-muscular
For collaborative work with Prof Bato Korac (Uo Belgrade) investigating 'Redox and metabolic reprogramming in Cancer and associated Adipose Tissue', please follow the link below
https://reframe.edu.rs/index.php/about/
For collaborative work with Dr Leo Singer at UoL's Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology on circadian desynchronisation in chronic lung diseases, please follow the link below
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/sociology-social-policy-and-criminology/research/research-projects/dysrhythmia/
NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION AROUND THE CLOCK: THE EFFECTS OF AGE, EXERCISE, DIET AND SHIFTWORK
Current Research Projects:
• 25/07/2022-30/09/2023: Muscular Dystrophy UK, PDRA: Moussira Alameddine
Project title: ‘Investigating the mechanism and therapeutic potential of targetting circadian clocks in Collagen VI myopathies’
PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Prof George BouGharios, Dr Aphrodite Vasilaki (UoL), Prof Jennifer Morgan (UCL), Prof Alessandra Ferlini (Italy).
• 1/06/2022-30/06/2023: CIMA Industrial Pump-Priming Award, RA: Alistair Topping
Project title: Targetting Neuromuscular Ageing using Novel Synthetic Retinoids and Chronopharmacological Approaches
PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Prof Andrew Whitting (CEO, Nevrargenics), Dr Paul Chazot (Uo Durham)
• 1/10/2019-31/09/2023: BBSRC-Japan Partnering Award
Project title: ‘The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus; networks and mathematical models’
PI: Prof Richard Barret-Jolley; Co-Is: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan, Dr Rachel Oldershaw
Current PhD Projects:
• 1/10/2022-30/09/2026: Oversees Funded Doctoral Programme – Mr Sultan Moatsem
Thesis title: ‘Investigating chrono-based mechanisms in degenerative neuromuscular disorders’
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Dr Aphrodite Vasilaki, Dr Uazman Alam.
• 1/10/2022-30/09/2026 Overseas-funded PhD Programme – Atilla Altinpinar
Thesis title: 'The effect of low protein diet on the development of the musculoskeletal system'
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Aphrodite Vasilaki, co-Is: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan, Dr Kasia Whysall
• 1/04/2021-31/03/2027 The North West Ambulance Service (NHS) PhD student - Irvine Larrier
Thesis title: ‘Musculoskeletal function around the clock: the effect of age, exercise and shift work’
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Dr Kris D’Aout, Dr Masoud Isanejad
• 1/10/2018-31/03/2024 MRC/Versus Arthritis (CIMA) Doctoral programme – Phaedra Winstanley-Zarach
Thesis topic: 'Post-transcriptional mechanisms in musculoskeletal ageing, circadian rhythms'
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Simon Tew, co-Is: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan, Prof George Bou-Gharios
• 1/10/2018- 31/03/2023 MRC/Versus Arthritis (CIMA) PhD Programme – Elizabeth Sutton
Thesis title: ‘Can time-scheduled exercise improve age-associated epigenetic signature of genes regulating circadian timing in the musculoskeletal system?’
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Prof Mandy Peffers (UoL), Dr Daryl Shanley (Uo Newcastle).
Completed PhD/MPhil Projects:
• 1/10/2021- 30/09/2022 BBSRC DTP – Zoe Catchpole
Thesis title: 'The role of circadian rhythms and redox signalling in musculoskeletal stem cell ageing’
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Dr Aphrodite Vasilaki, Prof Richard Barret-Jolley, Dr Mirela Domijan (UoL), Prof David Young, Dr Daryl Shanley (Uo Newcastle).
• 15/09/2014- 14/09/2018: Crossley Barnes PhD Programme - Niamh Horton
Thesis title: 'The role of NRF2/KEAP1 antioxidant pathway in the regulation of circadian molecular clock: implications for skeletal muscle homeostasis'.
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Prof Anne McArdle, Dr Aphrodite Vasilaki.
Completed Research Projects:
• 1/03/2021-31/03/2022: The Royal Society Grant
Project title: ‘Understanding the role of physical activity in the entrainment mechanisms of circadian biological cycles’
PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
• 2014-2017: Welcome Trust Institutional Strategic Fund Fellowship
Project title: ‘The role of musculoskeletal clocks in tissue repair and ageing’
PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
• 1/07/2014-31/06/2017: The Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust Medical Grant.
Project title: ‘Investigating biological clocks in age-related musculoskeletal degeneration'
PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
• 1/12/2015-31/12/2016: Age UK/MICRA Seedcorn Award
Project Title: ‘Can exercise reverse molecular signatures associated with circadian disruption during ageing?’
PI: Prof Qing-Jun Meng (Uo Manchester), co-I: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
• 1/05/2012-31/08/2013: Faculty of Life Sciences Career Development Award, University of Manchester
Project title: ‘Visualising circadian rhythms in skeletal muscle fibers and satellite cells via bioluminescence imaging’
PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan, Hosting Institution: Prof Peter Zammit, King's College London
THE ROLE OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS AND ANTIOXIDANT SIGNALLING IN TISSUE REPAIR & REGENERATION AND AGE-RELATED TISSUE FIBROSIS
Current Research Projects:
• 1/12/2022-31/11/2024: RoseTrees Trust PDRA: Position is Advertised LIVE!
Project title: ‘Deciphering temporal biological networks contributing to fibrosis in Scleroderma’
PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Prof George BouGharios (UoL), Prof David Abraham (UCL)
• 1/02/2022-31/07/2024: EcMagine Ageing Network ‘Extracellular Matrix Ageing Inter-disciplinary Research Network’
Director: Dr Elizabeth Laird (UoL), co-Director: Prof Matt Dalby (Uo Glasgow), Project Manager: Angela Cucchi
Network Coordinators: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan (UoL); Dr Joe Swift (Uo Manchester), Dr Lisa White (Uo Nottingham); Dr Daryl Shanley (Uo Newcastle)
Current PhD Projects:
• 1/10/2022-30/09/2026: UoL/Self-funded Doctoral Programme – Rama Iljaz
Thesis title: 'Cardiovascular function around the clock: the effects of age, exercise and hormones'
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Prof Greg Lip, Dr Parveen Sharma, Dr Sunil Jit Logantha.
• 1/10/2022-30/09/2026: Overseas funded Doctoral Programme – Abigail Christie
Thesis title: 'Manipulation of the mechanism of retinal scarring'
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Victoria Kearns; co-Is: Dr Carl Sheridan, Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
• 1/02/2022-31/01/2026: The Vice-Chancellor PhD studentship - Gemma Farrington
Thesis title: ‘Time to heal: the role of circadian clocks in chronic wounds’
Supervisory Team: PI: Dr Alun Hughes (LJMU); co-Is: Dr Kehinde Ross (LJMU), Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
• 1/01/2018- 28/02/2024 RoseTrees Trust/UoL PhD Programme – Damilola Sarumi
Thesis title: ‘Exploring the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of targeting biological clocks in connective tissue disease Systemic Sclerosis’
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Dr Blandine Poulet, Dr Victoria Kearns, Prof David Abraham (UCL).
• 1/10/2017-30/04/2023 Overseas funded Doctoral Programme – Abdulhadi, Al Duhneen
Thesis title: 'The role of circadian clock and DNA damage signalling in chronic lung diseases'
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Lesley Iwanejko, co-Is: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan, Dr Kevin Hamill
Completed Research Projects:
• 1/02/2017-31/07/2021: MRC NIRG Award - PDRA: Dr Sandra Fawcett; RA: Dr Alan Carter
Project title:‘Circadian rhythms and the control of NRF2-based antioxidant signalling as a therapeutic target in tissue repair and pathological healing’
PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Prof George BouGharios, Dr Marina Anderson, Prof David Abraham (UCL).
Completed PhD projects:
• 1/10/2017- 31/03/2022 BBSRC DTP - Martin Galler
Thesis topic: 'Redox regulation, peroxiredoxins and circadian clocks'
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Elizabeth Veal, co-Is: Dr Victor Korolchuk (Newcastle University), Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
• 1/10/2015- 30/09/2019 The Royal Society of Analytical Chemistry funded PhD Programme - Eve Rogers
Thesis title:' Exploring the Potential of the Physio-Mechanical Environment and Circadian Timing in Adult Progenitor Cell Differentiation'
Supervisory team: PIs: Prof John Hunt, Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
DEVISING CHRONOTHERAPY-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR HUMAN INFECTIOUS, MALIGNANT & GENETIC DISEASES
Current Research projects:
• 30/11/2021-31/01/2024: UKRI BBSRC -PDRAs: Phaedra Winstanley-Zarach (Biology), Elizabeth Sutton (Biology), Abdulhadi Al Duhneen (Biology), Dr Matthew Leak (Maths)
Title: ‘Circadian Rhythms in the light of COVID-19: Formulating optimal time-of-day regimens for antiviral drugs using human 3D models and in silico modelling
PI: Dr Pekovic-Vaughan (Circadian Biology), co-Is: Prof Andrew Owen (Pharmacology), Dr Mirela Domijan (Maths Modelling).
• 1/02/2022-31/01/2025: The Science Fund -PDRA: Dr Andjelika Kalezic
Project Title: 'REFRAME: Exploring New Avenues in Breast Cancer Research: Redox and Metabolic Reprogramming of Cancer and Associated Adipose Tissue'
PI: Prof Bato Korac (Uo Belgrade, Serbia); co-I: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
• 1/02/2021-30/09/2023: EPSRC Interdisciplinary Award -PDRA: Dr Sara Frecentese
Project title: ‘Coupling circadian rhythms with drug metabolism: a new tool for studying chronopharmacokinetics'
PI: Dr Mirela Domijan, co-Is: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan, Dr Joe Leedale.
Current PhD projects:
• 1/10/2017-30/09/2022 Fight for Sight PhD Programme – Thanos Papadimitropoulos
Thesis topic: Circadian rhythms, novel RNA-acting therapeutics and human disease Aniridia
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Kevin Hamill, co-Is: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan, Prof Colin Willoughby.
Completed Research Projects
• 1/11/2019-31/08/2020: Liverpool Centre for Mathematics in Healthcare Award -PDRA: Dr Louis Gall
Project Title: ‘In silico modelling of NRF2 pathway at the interface between circadian clocks and metabolism’
PI: Dr Mirela Domijan-Dept of Maths; co-Is: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan, Dr Joe Leedale
• 1/03/2017-31/03/2019: BBSRC In Vivo Skills Award
Project title:‘Transgenic animal approaches for studying circadian cycles in models of human disease’
PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; co-Is: Prof Peter Clegg, Dr Simon Tew, Dr Blandine Poulet
Completed PhD projects:
• 1/10/2015- 31/09/2019 BBSRC DTP - Clare Roskell
Thesis title: 'The role of Nuclear Lamins in regulating the circadian molecular clockwork; daily oscillations and response to mechanical stimulation'
Supervisory team: PI: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan; Dr Simon Tew (primary), Prof Pete Clegg (UoL), Dr Daryl Shanley (Uo Newcastle)
• 1/01/2012 - 03/2016 University of Sao Paolo PhD Programme - Anna Barris
Thesis title: 'The role of circadian rhythms in human lysosomal storage disorders'
Supervisory team: PI: Prof Vania Almeida; co-I: Dr Vanja Pekovic-Vaughan
Research grants
Maestro Pro multiwell microelectrode array for the University of Liverpool electrophysiology suite: Cell physiology meets high throughput.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2023 - June 2024
Understanding the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of targeting biological clocks in Systemic Sclerosis
THE TERESA ROSENBAUM GOLDEN CHARITABLE TRUST (THE ROSETREES TRUST) (UK)
November 2017 - October 2021
Exploring New Avenues in Breast Cancer Research: Redox and Metabolic Reprogramming of Cancer and Associated Adipose Tissue (REFRAME)
SCIENCE FUND OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA
February 2022 - February 2025
Atilla Emre Altinpinar/ 201630914 (bench fees)
TURKISH EMBASSY (LONDON)
September 2022 - August 2026
The role of circadian rhythms in Collagen VI related Myopathies
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY UK - MDUK (UK)
July 2022 - November 2024
Almoatasm Balah S M Saltan/201590645 (bench fees)
LIBYAN EMBASSY IN LONDON🚩
September 2022 - September 2026
Circadian Rhythms in the light of COVID-19:Formulating optimal time-of-day regimens for antiviral drugs using human 3D models and in silico modelling
UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
November 2021 - November 2024
Circadian disruption and fibrosis progression in Systemic Sclerosis: towards chrono-based prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic stratification
THE TERESA ROSENBAUM GOLDEN CHARITABLE TRUST (THE ROSETREES TRUST) (UK)
December 2022 - September 2026
Understanding the role of physical activity in entrainment mechanisms of circadian clocks
ROYAL SOCIETY
March 2021 - April 2022
Global Partnering Award UK Ageing Networks: North America
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2022 - March 2025
Japan Partnering Award: The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus; networks and mathematical models
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
June 2019 - June 2024
Understanding the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of targeting biological clocks in Systemic Sclerosis
THE TERESA ROSENBAUM GOLDEN CHARITABLE TRUST (THE ROSETREES TRUST) (UK)
November 2017 - December 2022
Circadian rhythms and the control of NRF2-based antioxidant signalling as a therapeutic target in dermal tissue repair and pathological wound healing
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2017 - July 2021
2014 allocation - Wellcome ISSF non clinical fellowships
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
May 2015 - October 2018
Targeting biological clocks in age-related skeletal muscle wasting and neuromuscular degeneration
THE DOWAGER COUNTESS ELEANOR PEEL TRUST (UK)
July 2014 - August 2017