Mustafa Elshani

Dr. Mustafa Elshani is a Research Fellow in the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews, working under Professor David Harrison. His research focuses on transcriptomic profiling of cancer, particularly using long-read sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to study drug-induced RNA regulation in cancer cells. He investigates the interplay between RNA regulation, protein expression, and cellular phenotypes in contexts such as podocyte damage (related to kidney diseases) and cancer drug resistance mechanisms. Key collaborators include Professors Harrison and Reynolds.

• PhD Thesis: "The NFE2L1 transcription factor is a key modulator of the stress response in podocytes" (2022)
• Supervises PhD students Hazem Abdullah and Etang Collins Etang
• Involved in clinical trials (e.g., NUC-7738 Phase 1) and preclinical drug development

Research interests span cancer biology, nephrology, and molecular oncology, with contributions to understanding drug resistance and tumor microenvironment dynamics. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, leveraging spatial analysis and multiplex protein techniques.

Publications highlight advancements in nucleoside analog therapies, podocyte stress response mechanisms, and tissue-specific immunopathology in fatal COVID-19 cases. Collaborations extend globally, addressing challenges in oncology and kidney disease through interdisciplinary approaches.