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Dr Amin Ardestani , Senior Lecturer in Metabolic Signaling at the Biomedical Institute for Multimorbidity (BIM), Hull York Medical School (HYMS) , specializes in unraveling molecular mechanisms of pancreatic β-cell failure in diabetes. His research program identifies novel therapeutic targets through signal transduction studies in metabolic disorders. Bachelor's in Biology, Tarbiat Moalem University (2004) Master's in Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (2007) PhD in Biology, University of Bremen (2013) Junior Group Leader at University of Bremen (2014-2023) Research focuses on Hippo and mTOR signaling pathways in β-cell biology, autoimmunity, and regeneration. His work bridges mechanistic biology with drug discovery for diabetes, with significant findings on PHLPP1/2 phosphatases and MST1/2 kinases. Recent publications highlight therapeutic strategies for β-cell protection , including small molecule inhibitors (e.g., MST1/2 inhibitors) and metabolic enzyme modulation (LDHA). Collaborative studies explore SARS-CoV-2 interactions with pancreatic cells and cross-talk between acinar and β-cells in diabetes. 2019 JDRF Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship 2018 Impulse grant & Career Advancement Award 2017 Early Investigators awards (Endocrine Society, EFSD/Lilly Programme) 2014 Albert Renold Fellowship & Bremer Studienpreis Professional roles include Editorial Board Member at Scientific Reports and Associate Editor at Frontiers in Endocrinology . He reviews grants for DFG, Diabetes UK, and ISF, and evaluates manuscripts for top-tier journals like Cell Metabolism and Nature Communications.

• Metabolic Signaling
• Pancreatic Islet Biology
• Signal Transduction Pathways
• +4 more

Professor Graham Ladds is a Professor of Receptor Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge's Department of Pharmacology and Fellow of St John's College. He serves as Co-Director of the Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Science and Director of Studies for Pharmacology. His academic journey includes a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham and PhD in yeast pheromone signalling from the University of Warwick, where he progressed to Associate Professor before joining Cambridge in 2015. His research focuses on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pharmacology, specializing in: Agonist bias mechanisms and signaling dynamics Mathematical modeling of receptor-ligand interactions RAMPs (Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins) in Class B1 GPCRs Intracellular calcium signaling pathways Development of biosensors for receptor activity screening He employs multidisciplinary approaches combining pharmacological assays, computational modeling, and machine learning. His recent publications demonstrate strong focus on adenosine receptor pharmacology, GPCR signaling bias, and therapeutic applications for metabolic/cardiovascular disorders. Research frequently appears in high-impact journals with significant industry collaboration themes. Honors include: Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society (2020) Royal Society Industry Fellowship for collaboration with AstraZeneca He leads a 17-member research group investigating GPCR signaling dynamics and maintains active industry partnerships with GSK, Takeda, and AstraZeneca. His teaching includes lectures on drug-receptor interactions and diabetes therapeutics for medical/natural sciences students. Laboratory activities focus on: BRET-based molecular probing of GPCR interactions Development of computational models for receptor activation Calcium signaling studies continuing legacy of Professor Colin Taylor Industry-linked drug discovery projects

• Pharmacology
• G protein-coupled receptors
• Signal Bias
• +5 more

David Tosh is a Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath. His research focuses on cellular reprogramming, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine, with applications to cancer and stem cell therapy. He leads a lab investigating cell type conversions (e.g., pancreatic to liver cells) and their implications for disease like Barrett’s metaplasia. Current lab members include Heather Bone, Christopher Brimson, Zoe Burke, and others listed in the text. He collaborates on projects such as the NextGen-O2k High-Resolution Respirometry initiative and contributes to animal-free 3D tissue modeling. Key research themes include understanding transcription factors driving cell fate decisions, translational applications of reprogramming for therapy, and links between cellular plasticity and cancer progression. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation.

• Cellular Reprogramming
• Developmental Biology
• Stem Cell Therapy
• +3 more

Patrik Rorsman is a Professor of Diabetic Medicine at the University of Oxford, affiliated with Harris Manchester College and the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM). His research focuses on pancreatic islet physiology, particularly the regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion in health and diabetes. He leads a multidisciplinary group studying cellular mechanisms underlying hormone secretion, including metabolic signaling, ion channel function, and intercellular communication within islets. Key research interests include α-cell and δ-cell function, electrical coupling between islet cells, and the pathophysiological defects in diabetes. Notable contributions include discoveries on glucagon regulation by AVP, nicotinic signaling, and somatostatin receptor antagonists. His team employs advanced electrophysiology, imaging, and stem cell models to explore therapeutic targets for diabetes. Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) and Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci). Grants/Funding: Supported by Wellcome Trust, Diabetes UK, JDRF, and MRC. Collaborations: Prof Frances Ashcroft, Prof Antony Galione, Prof Bernard Thorens. Current projects include investigating α-cell heterogeneity, optogenetic control of δ-cells, and clinical trials (e.g., LEGEND-A study). The Rorsman Group also trains PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, emphasizing translational research to improve diabetes treatment.

• Diabetes Research
• Pancreatic Islet Physiology
• Insulin Secretion
• +3 more

Dr Astrid Hauge Evans is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton. Her research focuses on diabetes, particularly the regulation of insulin production from pancreatic beta cells and intercellular communication within pancreatic islets. She is actively involved in PhD student supervision and holds external positions as a Visiting Researcher at King's College London. BSc in Biology from University of Copenhagen, Denmark MSc in Biomedical Sciences from King's College London PhD in Physiology from King's College London Her research explores: Mechanisms of beta cell dysfunction in diabetes Intra-islet communication dynamics Neuroendocrine regulation of insulin secretion Gut microbiota interactions in metabolic disease Wholegrain polyphenols' impact on islet function Sex-specific roles of peptides like LEAP2 Recent article trends show expertise in Diabetes type-specific therapies Cross-disciplinary studies combining nutrition and endocrinology Peptide hormone interactions in islet regulation Microbiome-diet-islet function relationships 3D cell culture models for diabetes research Neuroendocrine modulation of metabolic processes Scientific recognition includes Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellowship (2010) University of Roehampton Academic Staff Award (2025) Supervision and funding highlights Primary supervisor for multiple PhD projects on diabetes mechanisms Lead PI on grants from Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation, Diabetes UK, Society for Endocrinology Collaborations with institutions across UK, Belgium, and Denmark

• Diabetes
• Pancreatic Islet Biology
• Endocrinology
• +3 more

Professor Steve Bain is a Professor in Medicine (Diabetes) at Swansea University, affiliated with the School of Biomedical Sciences and the Swansea University Medical School. He holds dual roles as Assistant Medical Director for Research & Development at Swansea Bay University Health Board and Clinical Director of the Diabetes Research Unit. His career spans academic research, clinical practice, and healthcare policy. Prof. Bain completed his undergraduate studies at St John's College, Cambridge, and clinical training at King's College Hospital, London. He has held academic positions at the University of Birmingham (Reader in Diabetic Medicine) before moving to Swansea in 2005 as a Chair in Medicine. His clinical expertise includes diabetes management, nephropathy, and novel therapies. Research interests focus on diabetes genetics, cardiovascular outcomes, and kidney disease. He leads multi-center trials (e.g., ONWARDS, SOUL) and chairs the ILS Joint Clinical Research Facility Board. Awards include Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (1996). He advises national bodies like the UK Human Genetics Commission and contributes to guidelines (e.g., ABCD-UKKA kidney disease management). His teaching includes leading the Diabetes Practice Masters program and courses on diabetes epidemiology and therapeutics.

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular Outcomes
• Diabetic Nephropathy
• +5 more

Professor Manu Vatish holds the position of Professor of Obstetrics and Consultant Obstetrician at the University of Oxford. He serves as Principal Investigator, Research Group Leader, Grant Holding Senior Scientist, and Clinical Consultant in Obstetrics. Additional leadership roles include NIHR CRN Clinical Director for Thames Valley & South Midlands, RCOG College Tutor for Oxford, and Academic Training Programme Director for OUCAGS. He is also an Associate Group Leader at the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics. His educational background includes preclinical medicine at Keble College, Oxford, followed by a DPhil at Brasenose College, Oxford under Dr. Richard Boyd, and clinical training at Cambridge (Queens' College). Specialist training in obstetrics & gynaecology on the Oxford training rotation was followed by clinical and senior lectureships at Warwick, with Fulbright and Churchill Fellowships in New York and Yale preceding his return to Oxford in 2013. Professor Vatish's research focuses on translational obstetrics, particularly pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. His work centers on placental biology with specific streams in extracellular vesicles, mitochondrial therapy, circulating angiogenic biomarkers, computerized CTG systems, genetic screening of newborns, and vaccines in pregnancy. His research spans from basic molecular mechanisms to clinical applications of diagnostic tools in obstetric practice. His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong focus on placental biology, preeclampsia biomarkers, and pregnancy-related complications, with significant contributions to understanding molecular mechanisms and developing clinical applications. His notable awards include: 2008 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award 2011 Churchill Fellowship 2019 HSJ Partnership Award 2019 UNIVANTS of Healthcare Excellence Professor Vatish currently supervises numerous DPhil students and postdoctoral researchers including Toluwalase Awoyemi (Rhodes Scholar), William Cooke (Wellcome Trust), Shuhan Jiang (CNSF), and Gabriel Jones (Clarendon Scholar). His research is supported by multiple grants including those from Silence Therapeutics, Roche Diagnostics, MRC, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and the Helmsley Trust through GPADD. He leads a vibrant research group focused on translational obstetrics with specific research streams on pre-eclampsia, mitochondria, extracellular vesicles, and biomarker development. The group collaborates with industrial partners like Sysmex/JVCKenwood and LUCA Science to develop diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for pregnancy complications.

• Obstetrics
• Gynecology
• Placental Research
• +7 more

Michael Patterson is an Associate Professor and Head of Engagement and Graduate Outcomes at the School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton. Previously, he conducted research at Imperial College London as a PhD student and postdoctoral fellow, followed by a role as Senior Scientist at Prosidion Ltd. His research focuses on energy homeostasis regulation, gastrointestinal peptides (ghrelin, PYY, GLP-1), and the effects of chronic social stress. He leads projects on gut health interventions and LEAP2's role in pancreatic islet function. Education: BSc Biochemistry with Pharmacology (University of Southampton), PhD Biochemistry (Imperial College London). Research interests include neuroendocrine mechanisms, metabolic disorders, and translational nutrition. Key collaborations involve UKRI-MRC projects and industry-academic partnerships. He supervises PhD students in metabolic research and contributes to MSc Clinical Nutrition programs. His recent work explores seaweed efficacy in metabolic syndrome and sex-specific hormone regulation.

• Endocrinology
• Nutrition
• Obesity Research
• +3 more

Karen Cosgrove, BSc, PhD, MRSB is a Lecturer in the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester. She leads an active research program focused on stem cells, diabetes, and congenital hyperinsulinism of infancy (CHI), with strong connections to clinical practice through Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and the Northern Centre for the treatment and study of hyperinsulinism (NorCHI). Her research interests center on two main areas: Stem Cells and Diabetes Mellitus, where she investigates deriving insulin-secreting cells from human embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells for potential transplantation therapy; and Congenital Hyperinsulinism of Infancy (CHI), where she studies the pathogenesis of this rare disease using tissue from pancreatectomies and has created unique cell lines for further research. Her work employs advanced techniques including live cell Ca 2+ imaging, patch-clamp electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, gene microarrays, and quantitative PCR. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on understanding the clinical manifestations of CHI, developing better monitoring approaches using continuous glucose monitoring, investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the disease, and exploring novel therapeutic interventions. Her research bridges basic science with clinical applications, particularly in understanding how defects in pancreatic beta-cell ion channels contribute to CHI. Dr. Cosgrove is part of the Manchester Regenerative Medicine Network and her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being. She has supervised 12 research projects and has published extensively, with 56 research outputs including articles, conference contributions, chapters, and review articles. Her laboratory is actively involved in the Northern Centre for the treatment and study of hyperinsulinism (NorCHI), working closely with clinicians at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. The team studies pancreatic tissue from CHI patients to understand disease mechanisms and identify new treatment targets, with a particular focus on ion channel function in pancreatic beta-cells and the potential of stem cell-derived insulin-secreting cells for diabetes therapy.

• Stem Cells
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Congenital Hyperinsulinism
• +4 more

Paul Johnson is a Professor of Paediatric Surgery and Governing Body Fellow at St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford. He serves as Director of the Oxford Islet Transplant Programme and Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at John Radcliffe Hospital. His career spans academic research and clinical practice in diabetes treatment and pancreatic surgery. University of Leicester (Medicine, MD) University of Oxford (Paediatric Surgery Training) Melbourne and Great Ormond Street Hospital (Surgical Training) Dr. Johnson's research focuses on optimizing islet isolation and transplantation for Type 1 Diabetes, with a particular emphasis on adult stem cell applications and inflammation reduction in islet grafts. His work bridges clinical innovation and bench science, as highlighted in his 2017 talk at the St Edmund Hall Research Expo. Recent publications highlight trends in islet transplantation, diabetes management, and biomedical engineering. Key topics include GLP-1 signaling, hypoxia protection for islets, and regulatory frameworks for advanced therapies in transplantation. Hunterian Professorship (1998) Founder of UK Academic Paediatric Surgeons Group Chairman of British Association of Paediatric Surgeons Research Committee Dr. Johnson leads the Oxford Islet Transplant Programme and contributes to national guidelines. His collaborations with UK Stem Cell Registries and Anthony Nolan Registry demonstrate a commitment to clinical scalability. Current projects explore oxygen-delivering matrices, enzymatic digestion protocols, and donor preconditioning to enhance transplant outcomes.

• Islet Transplantation
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Adult Stem Cells
• +2 more

Adrian Liston is Professor of Pathology at the University of Cambridge's Department of Pathology, Honorary Group Leader at the Babraham Institute, and Professorial Fellow at St Catharine's College where he serves as Postgraduate Tutor for Welfare, Equalities Fellow, and Director of Studies. He holds additional roles as Editor-in-Chief of Immunology & Cell Biology. His education includes: BSc (Biomedical Science) and Honours from Adelaide University PhD from Australian National University Post-doctoral training at University of Washington Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Master of Public Health MA from University of Cambridge Liston's research focuses on decoding immune system regulation, particularly the role of regulatory T cells in tissue homeostasis. His laboratory investigates cellular control mechanisms governing immune tolerance switches and how defects lead to pathologies including autoimmunity, diabetes, and neuropathology. The Liston-Dooley Lab employs mouse models, human samples, and cutting-edge techniques like high-dimensional flow cytometry to identify common pathways to pathology across disease states. His publications demonstrate consistent focus on neuroimmunology, tissue-resident immunity, and translational applications. Recent work emphasizes brain-specific regulatory T cell modulation, microglial biology, and gut-immune interactions. The lab maintains strong methodological innovation in flow cytometry and computational immunology. Major scientific honors include: Fellowship of Academy of Medical Sciences (2021) Fellowship of Royal Society of Biology (2022) ERC Consolidator Award (2016) Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigators (2016) Francqui Foundation Chair (2016) Wellcome Trust Investigator Award Liston directs the Liston-Dooley Laboratory with Dr. James Dooley, focusing on regulatory T cell-tissue interfaces. The lab relocated to Cambridge in 2023 after establishing core facilities at VIB/University of Leuven (2009-2018) and conducting neuroinflammation biotechnology research at Babraham Institute (2019-2023). They founded spin-off company Aila Biotech Ltd to develop neuroimmunology therapies. Notable alumni include Professors Susan Schlenner, Stephanie Humblet-Baron, Lidia Yshii, Kailash Singh, and Emanuela Pasciuto.

• Immunology
• Neuroimmunology
• Regulatory T cells
• +5 more

Alejo J Nevado-Holgado is an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, holding joint appointments in the Department of Psychiatry and the Big Data Institute. He is a key member of Dementia Research Oxford and co-heads the Computational and Molecular Neuroscience laboratory alongside Professor Noel Buckley. His interdisciplinary research team comprises approximately 20 scientists specializing in AI, biochemistry, and bioinformatics, working at the intersection of computational methods and neurological health. Dr. Nevado-Holgado completed his PhD in the University of Bristol, Department of Computer Science, under the supervision of Dr. Rafal Bogacz and Dr. John Terry. His doctoral research focused on mathematical modeling, signal analysis, and machine learning applied to the study of the basal ganglia and Parkinson's disease. Following experimental training at Cambridge, he shifted his focus to applying machine learning and bioinformatics to neurodegeneration research, particularly investigating biomarkers and metabolic networks in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Dr. Nevado-Holgado's research program centers on leveraging artificial intelligence and bioinformatics to transform mental health care and drug discovery. His laboratory develops and applies state-of-the-art iPSC, AI, and bioinformatic techniques to better understand neurological disorders. The team's work spans multiple domains including: Neural networks applied to genetics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and iPSC cell microscopy Analysis of Electronic Health Records using natural language processing Integration of biotech laboratory data with real-world clinical evidence Development of personalized medicine approaches and drug repurposing strategies High-performance computing solutions for large-scale biomedical data analysis His recent publication record demonstrates a strong focus on applying AI to mental health diagnostics, neurodegenerative disease biomarkers, and multi-omics data integration. Notable trends include the increasing application of large language models to clinical text analysis, the development of proteomic aging clocks, and the integration of environmental and genetic factors in understanding aging and mortality. His work consistently bridges computational innovation with clinical relevance, seeking to detect neurological disorders in their prodromal stages when interventions could be most effective. Dr. Nevado-Holgado leads or participates in multiple significant research initiatives: Virtual Brain Cloud (EU H2020): €1.5 million European consortium investigating computational simulations for Alzheimer's diagnosis Microbiome in depression (NIH U19): $27 million consortium studying microbiome's role in depression Metabolomics in dementia (MOVE-AD): Consortium investigating metabolomics of dementia Industry projects: £900,000 in funding for applying neural networks to genomics data Blood-brain axis of Alzheimer's disease (AMP-AD): $330,000 project investigating protein levels in Alzheimer's His laboratory team includes lead scientists Laura Winchester (bioinformatics) and Andrey Kormilitzin (AI), along with researchers specializing in genetics, AI microscopy, AI NLP, AI imaging, and iPSC models. The lab actively recruits additional researchers in AI NLP and bioinformatics, reflecting the growing scope of their computational neuroscience work.

• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Bioinformatics
• Mental Health Informatics
• +6 more

Professor Steve Bloom serves as Professor of Medicine in the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine, where he concurrently holds the position of Head of Drug Development and Clinical Director of Pathology for North West London Pathology across six major acute hospitals. Leading a 30-member research team, his work focuses on regulatory peptide physiology in central and peripheral systems with significant translational impact. His academic credentials include: MA from University of Cambridge (1968) MD from University of London (1979) DSc from University of London (1982) Bloom's research spans five interconnected domains: endocrinology clinical research, gut hormone physiology/pathology, insulin release/resistance mechanisms, neuropeptide organ control, and CNS appetite regulation. His 1980s pioneering work established gut hormones' dual endocrine/neurotransmitter functions, directly enabling his current investigations into hypothalamic appetite control systems for obesity/diabetes therapeutics. This foundational research yielded the oxyntomodulin appetite discovery that spawned Thiakis Ltd (sold to Wyeth for £100M in 2008) and later Zihipp (acquired by Metsera Therapeutics in 2023). With over 1000 peer-reviewed publications in premier journals (Nature, J Biol Chem, PNAS, JCI, NEJM) and an h-index of 157 (ranking 64th highest-cited academic globally), his work demonstrates extraordinary scholarly impact. His publication trends reveal sustained leadership in neuroendocrinology, metabolic disease mechanisms, and therapeutic development over four decades. His distinguished honors include: Election as Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) Election as Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2013 Knighthood (Knight Bachelor) Warwick University Honorary Doctorate (2018) Brunel University Honorary Doctorate (2019) Bloom has directed major research initiatives through leadership roles including Chairman of the Medical Research Society, Society for Endocrinology, and Diabetes UK Research Committee. His industry collaborations span advisory positions at AstraZeneca, Upjohn, and Novartis, culminating in his current Nestle Scientific Board membership and Senior Vice Presidency at Metsera Therapeutics. His research group maintains active partnerships with the Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Centre for Translational Nutrition and Food Research, Membrane Receptor Network, and Pancreatic Islet Biology Consortium. At Imperial's Hammersmith Campus, his 30-strong team operates within the Commonwealth Building laboratories, pursuing next-generation diabetes/obesity therapies through Zihipp's legacy pipeline now under Metsera Therapeutics. Current efforts focus on novel gut hormone analogs and neuropeptide modulators for metabolic disease treatment.

• Clinical Sciences
• Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
• Neurosciences
• +3 more

Dr. Michael White is a prominent researcher in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University, specializing in diabetes research and pancreatic biology. His work primarily focuses on understanding beta cell dedifferentiation, islet transplantation, and the pathophysiology of diabetes. Dr. White's research interests center on the molecular mechanisms underlying beta cell dysfunction in diabetes, with particular emphasis on cellular dedifferentiation processes. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of how beta cells lose their identity in diabetic conditions and how this process might be reversed. He has made important contributions to the field of islet transplantation, investigating factors that affect graft survival and function. Analysis of Dr. White's publication record reveals a consistent focus on cellular reprogramming in pancreatic islets, with numerous studies examining the transition between beta cell and alpha cell phenotypes. His research has important implications for developing novel therapeutic approaches for diabetes that target cellular plasticity rather than just insulin replacement. Dr. White has collaborated extensively with Professor James Shaw and other members of Newcastle's diabetes research group, contributing to the institution's strong reputation in metabolic disease research. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, with several studies having direct relevance to improving islet transplantation outcomes for patients with diabetes.

• Diabetes Research
• Pancreatic Biology
• Beta Cell Dedifferentiation
• +3 more

Kathryn White is a Researcher at Newcastle University, focusing on diabetic nephropathy, mitochondrial biology, and retinal development. Her work spans cellular ultrastructure analysis, stem cell-derived organoid modeling, and therapeutic approaches for genetic disorders like Joubert syndrome. Collaborated on mitochondrial morphology studies in diabetes and skeletal muscle Developed protocols for retinal organoid differentiation Explored gene therapies for ciliopathies Her scientific contributions include studies on diabetic kidney disease mechanisms, retinal regeneration, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent publications highlight her expertise in quantitative 3D imaging and translational therapies. She received the EFSD/Merck travel fellowship for young scientists in 2000. Current research involves collaborations with multidisciplinary teams in nephrology, ophthalmology, and mitochondrial medicine.

• Diabetic Nephropathy
• Mitochondrial Biology
• Kidney Disease
• +3 more