Professor Susan Brooks is a faculty member at Oxford Brookes University in the School of Biological and Medical Sciences . Her research focuses on glycobiology , cancer progression , and the role of extracellular vesicles in metastasis. Professor of Cell Biology Director of Researcher Development Focus on breast and ovarian cancer Specialized in glycosylation mechanisms Research Interests : Dr. Brooks' work explores how aberrant glycosylation of proteins and glycans influences cancer cell behavior, including metastasis and drug resistance . Her recent studies examine extracellular vesicles as diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets. Article Trends : Over 25 years, Dr. Brooks has published 15+ articles on glycosylation patterns in breast and ovarian cancer. Key areas include lectin binding , miRNA regulation , and radiation-induced metastatic changes . Her work bridges cell biology and clinical applications .
Wilfried Haerty is a Senior Group Leader in Evolutionary Genomics at the University of East Anglia (UEA), affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences and the Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging. He also holds an external position as Senior Group Leader at the Earlham Institute since December 2015, reflecting his significant role in genomics research. Institution: University of East Anglia School: School of Biological Sciences External Affiliation: Earlham Institute Position: Senior Group Leader His academic background includes a Doctor of Science from Université de Paris, awarded in 2004, based on research into reproductive isolation in Drosophila melanogaster . Dr. Haerty's research focuses on evolutionary and comparative genomics, particularly the characterization of functional non-coding sequences and long non-coding RNAs in mammalian and human genomes. He investigates evolutionary constraints and selection pressures using population-level sequence variation data. His work integrates computational and genomic approaches to understand genome evolution across species. The recent trends in his publications highlight a strong focus on genome evolution, including hybridization in cichlid fishes, NUMT dynamics in mammals, fission yeast phylogenetics, avian developmental genomics, and evolutionary behavioral responses. These reflect interdisciplinary research spanning molecular evolution, genomics, developmental biology, and ecology. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. There is no mention of student advising or research grants in the available information. However, his leadership role as a Group Leader suggests involvement in mentoring researchers and managing research projects. His collaborations span multiple institutions and countries, as indicated by co-authorship on recent studies. Dr. Haerty is associated with research teams at both the University of East Anglia and the Earlham Institute, particularly within genomics and evolutionary biology groups. His work is part of broader collaborative networks in evolutionary genomics and healthy aging, including the Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging.
Amit Sachdeva is an Associate Professor of Bio-Organic Chemistry at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where he leads the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology's Department of Chemistry. He serves as Director of Postgraduate Research in Chemistry, overseeing doctoral training and academic strategy. His research focuses on Chemical Biology and Synthetic Biology, with a specific emphasis on expanding genetic code capabilities to engineer novel proteins for biomedical applications. Dr. Sachdeva completed his PhD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, investigating DNA-based enzymes, followed by postdoctoral work at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. His current work includes developing light-responsive antibodies for targeted therapies and ultrafast viral diagnostics. Notable achievements include pioneering photoactive antibody fragments and securing patents (e.g., WO-2020193981-A1) for light-controlled antigen binding. Key Projects: Designing cancer biotherapeutics (Leverhulme Trust), fluorescent switches for SARS-CoV-2 detection (Royal Society of Chemistry), and biomolecular wire development (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council). Grants: Over £5M from institutions like The Big C Appeal and Wellcome Trust. Research Interests: Genetic code expansion, protein engineering, non-natural amino acids, and their applications in diagnostics/therapeutics. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health and innovation. Publications: Over 25 peer-reviewed articles in top journals like Nature Chemical Biology , Angewandte Chemie , and Nature Reviews Chemistry , with several highly cited contributions (e.g., 99th percentile in 2023).
Professor Udo Oppermann serves as Professor of Molecular Biology and Director of Laboratory Sciences at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford. He is also Deputy Director of the Oxford Centre of Translational Myeloma Research and a fellow at St Catherine's College. His educational background includes a Diploma in Human Biology (1990) and PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology (1994), both earned with distinctions from Philipps University Marburg. Prior academic appointments include Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet (until 2004) and sabbatical work at Yale University. Research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms in disease through drug and target discovery using systems biology and single-cell approaches . Key disease targets include metabolic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and malignant diseases—particularly multiple myeloma and secondary bone cancers. His group pioneers chemical biology applications in primary tumor microenvironments. Current funding sources include Cancer Research UK, Innovate UK, EPSRC, Royal Society-Newton Fund, Bristol Myers Squibb, Bayer Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, Blood Cancer UK, and Leducq Foundation. Notable research trends show increasing emphasis on epigenetic regulation in immune cells (2020-2024), single-cell technologies for myeloma (2022-2024), and translational applications of chromatin modifiers (2016-2019). Recent work integrates metabolomics with epigenetic mechanisms in gynecological and hematological disorders. He supervises doctoral research including Singh K.'s 2024 thesis on sonodynamic therapy mechanisms. Leadership roles encompass directing Oxford's Molecular Laboratory Sciences division and co-leading translational myeloma research initiatives.
Fabiola Ceroni is a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford Brookes University's School of Biological and Medical Sciences, specializing in the Molecular Genetics of Human Eye Development . Her research focuses on identifying novel genes and molecular mechanisms underlying developmental eye disorders through advanced genomic techniques. Institution: Oxford Brookes University School: School of Biological and Medical Sciences Role: Senior Research Fellow in Professor Ragge's team Her work primarily addresses developmental eye disorders such as anophthalmia, microphthalmia, and coloboma, utilizing whole genome/exome sequencing and copy number variant analysis . Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding genetic regulation in eye development and neurodevelopmental disorders. Key trends in her publications include: Genotype-phenotype correlations in developmental eye disorders Role of structural variants and non-coding sequences in congenital anomalies Genetic mechanisms in autism spectrum disorder and neurodevelopmental syndromes CRISPR/Cas9 applications for functional validation She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and contributes to open-access research, with publications available via Oxford Brookes' Research Repository (RADAR).
Emma Denham is a Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at the University of Bath's Department of Biology and Biochemistry, part of the Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER). She transitioned to Bath in 2018 from the University of Warwick, where she served as an Assistant Professor. Her research focuses on non-coding RNAs in Bacillus subtilis , exploring their roles in post-transcriptional regulation, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and metabolic pathways. She investigates how small RNAs (sRNAs) and antisense RNAs modulate bacterial behavior under environmental stress. Education & Career: BSc Biology, University of Leicester PhD in Microbiology, Pirbright Institute (formerly Institute for Animal Health) Postdoctoral Research, Jan Maarten van Dijl's lab (EU consortia on systems/synthetic biology) Research Interests: Emma's lab studies regulatory RNAs' impact on B. subtilis behavior, including biofilm formation, competence, and antibiotic resistance. Notable projects include identifying novel sRNA mechanisms distinct from Gram-negative systems and exploring RNA sponges that regulate the RoxS riboregulator. Collaborative efforts include applying bacterial systems to develop zero-carbon concrete via Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grants (2023). Recent Work Trends: Recent articles highlight mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antiseptics, transcriptome annotation via Rend-seq, and RNA-sponge-mediated regulation. These studies bridge basic microbiology with applied challenges like biocide resistance and sustainable materials. Grants & Collaborations: EPSRC IAA Project: Bacteria-based zero carbon concrete (2023) EU consortia during postdoctoral work Labs & Teams: Leads a microbiology lab at Bath, focusing on interdisciplinary projects combining genomics, systems biology, and synthetic approaches to understand bacterial adaptation and regulatory networks.
Matthew Ronshaugen is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Developmental Biology & Medicine (L5) at the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester. He has held academic positions since 2007 as a Manchester Fellow, followed by Lecturer (2012-2017), and Senior Lecturer since 2017. 1991-1995: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Linguistics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1995-1997: Master of Science in Systematics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1997-2002: Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego 2003-2007: Ruth L. Kirschstein NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at University of California, Berkeley His research focuses on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly their roles in gene expression and developmental differentiation. His lab investigates how ncRNA evolution contributes to metazoan body plan diversification, centering on the Hox complex—a conserved genomic region rich in ncRNAs. He uses tiling microarrays and fluorescent in situ hybridization to analyze ncRNA dynamics in Drosophila, Tribolium, and Parhyale. Recent publications highlight his work on miRNA functions in embryonic development, aging-related changes in myeloid cells, and comparative transcriptomics across arthropods. His team employs genetics tools to dissect ncRNA roles in transcriptional regulation, epigenetic control, and silencing mechanisms. Scientific Awards: Ruth L. Kirschstein NIH Postdoctoral Fellow Manchester Fellow He supervises research on developmental transcriptomes and contributes to datasets on piRNA expression and Hox complex analysis. Collaborations span immunology, genomics, and evolutionary development, with outputs cited in fields like RNA interference, transgenics, and wound healing.
Professor Adele Murrell is a Professor of Epigenetics in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath's Faculty of Science. She serves as Co-Director of the Centre for Therapeutic Innovation and is affiliated with both the Centre for Mathematical Biology and the Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies (CBio). She is currently accepting doctoral students and maintains an active research program with multiple ongoing projects. Her research focuses on understanding how cells establish and maintain their specific identities through epigenetic mechanisms. Her work centers on epigenetic barriers and cell identity, genomic imprinting as a model epigenetic system, long-range epigenetic silencing in cancer, and epigenetic reprogramming during metastasis. She investigates how higher-order chromatin structure and epigenetic modifications shape the genome within the nucleus to constitute cell identity and provide memory of developmental origins. Her current work examines colon cancer and liver metastasis, focusing on changes in DNA methylation and its demethylation intermediates such as 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. Analysis of Professor Murrell's recent publications reveals a strong focus on DNA hydroxymethylation patterns in cancer progression, particularly in colorectal cancer metastasis. Her work bridges molecular epigenetics with clinical applications, exploring how epigenetic changes during metastasis could be targeted to prevent cancer spread. She has developed novel techniques for detecting epigenetic modifications and has made significant contributions to understanding allele-specific chromatin domains and genomic imprinting mechanisms. Professor Murrell leads multiple research projects including 'Two stages of genome wide 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) reprogramming during colorectal carcinogenesis and liver metastasis' funded by the MRC until February 2024, and 'Modelling the fits and starts of how genes burst into expression' funded by The Leverhulme Trust until June 2024. She was also a Co-Investigator on the 'Multi User High-Content Confocal Microscope' project funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Her laboratory work connects with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health and well-being. Her fingerprint analysis shows strong activity in Epigenetics (100%), DNA Methylation (94%), Allele research (73%), Methylation studies (69%), Genomic Imprinting (60%), CTCF research (56%), Promoter Region analysis (44%), and Differentially Methylated Regions (34%).
Dr. Irene Nobeli is a Senior Lecturer and Education Lead (PG taught courses) at the School of Natural Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London. She specializes in computational biology and chemoinformatics, focusing on regulatory RNAs, transcriptomics in health/disease, brain disorders, and small molecule roles in biology. Her work bridges bioinformatics tools development and translational research. Administrative roles include directing the MSc Bioinformatics program and organizing the Sequence Analysis and Omics module. She collaborates with research centers like the Birkbeck Institute for Data Analytics (BIDA) and the Institute of Structural Molecular Biology (ISMB). Research interests span bioinformatics methodologies, Mycobacterium genomics, neurodevelopmental disorders, and computational drug design. Notable contributions include developing flexiMAP (alternative polyadenylation analysis) and baerhunter (bacterial non-coding RNA detection). Publications highlight her expertise in transcriptomics, bacterial pathogenesis, and neurobiological mechanisms. She actively engages in advancing computational methods for genomic data interpretation and translational medicine.
Julie Ahringer is Professor of Genetics and Genomics at the University of Cambridge and Director of the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute. She leads a research group investigating chromatin structure and gene regulation using C. elegans as a model system. Her work integrates genomics, super-resolution microscopy, and computational approaches to understand epigenetic controls in development and disease. She holds fellowships from the Royal Society (FRS) and Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci). Research Focus: Her laboratory studies chromatin regulation mechanisms including heterochromatin formation, Polycomb domain function, genome architecture, and enhancer/promoter interactions. Key approaches include single-cell multiomics, high-throughput genomics, and super-resolution microscopy to analyze developmental trajectories. Research areas span: H3K27me3 domain formation and Polycomb repression Constitutive heterochromatin organization Regulatory element characterization 3D genome architecture via ARC-C technology Single-cell resolution developmental mapping Awards & Honors: Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) Wellcome Senior Research Fellowship Academic Leadership: She mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, with funding from Wellcome, MRC, and CRUK. Her lab develops open-source bioinformatics tools (VplotR, periodicDNA) and maintains the genome-wide C. elegans RNAi feeding library. Lab & Collaborations: The Ahringer Lab is based at the Gurdon Institute and collaborates widely on chromatin dynamics, nuclear organization, and developmental genomics projects across model organisms.
Professor Niamh Forde serves as Professor of Molecular Reproductive Biosciences within the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds. She co-founded and co-directs LeedsOmics, a virtual research institute advancing interdisciplinary omics applications. Her work bridges human and animal reproductive sciences through comparative molecular physiology across mammalian species. Education: BA (Mod) Biochemistry from Trinity College Dublin PhD from University College Dublin Research Focus: Professor Forde pioneers investigations into embryo-endometrial molecular crosstalk during early pregnancy using multi-omics approaches. Her lab integrates in vivo studies with cutting-edge in vitro platforms including microfluidics, organoids, and extracellular scaffolds to dissect non-coding RNA mechanisms and protein signaling. Key emphases include species-comparative analysis (human, bovine, porcine, murine), maternal metabolic impacts, embryo sex effects, and extracellular vesicle-mediated communication—all with implications for fertility, food security, and developmental origins of health and disease. Publication Trends: Recent work (2022-2025) demonstrates consistent innovation in modeling conceptus-maternal interactions through engineered systems like endometrium-on-a-chip. Publications reveal growing emphasis on conserved molecular pathways (e.g., PDI/CAPG proteins), microRNA networks in implantation, and translational applications for livestock fertility and human reproductive health. Her team increasingly leverages cross-species genomic analyses to identify evolutionary innovations underpinning placental mammal pregnancy. Leadership and Collaboration: As Associate Editor for Reproduction and member of SSR/SRF/Biochemical Society, she shapes reproductive science discourse. Her affiliations with Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre foster translational synergies. Current PhD projects focus on 3D uterine modeling and non-coding RNA function, training next-generation scientists in advanced reproductive technologies.
Aygun Azadova is a Lecturer at the University of Essex's School of Life Sciences. She holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine from Essex and an MSc in Molecular Biology from the University of Debrecen. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancer progression, androgen signaling pathways, and gene expression analysis. She currently teaches 'Introduction to Biology (IA102)'. Her recent work includes investigating the role of RNA-binding proteins in prostate cancer and exploring kinase signaling pathways in cancer cell proliferation. She has collaborated with researchers across disciplines to advance understanding of molecular oncology. Education: PhD in Molecular Medicine, University of Essex MSc in Molecular Biology, University of Debrecen Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Teaching: Introduction to Biology (IA102)
Professor Raymond O'Keefe serves as Professor of Molecular Genetics and Head of the Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics at the University of Manchester. With over two decades of academic service since joining as a Research Fellow in 1997, he has established himself as a leading researcher in RNA biology and genetic mechanisms. Dr. O'Keefe earned his undergraduate degree from Connecticut College in 1987, followed by work with Nobel Laureate Dr. George Palade at Yale University. He completed his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from SUNY Stony Brook in 1994, conducting research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory under Dr. David Spector. After receiving the Hitchings-Elion Postdoctoral Fellowship to work with Dr. Andrew Newman at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, he joined Manchester in 1997. His research focuses on pre-mRNA splicing mechanisms and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) function. His lab investigates how splicing errors contribute to diseases including diabetes, cancer, and developmental disorders, while also pioneering large-scale functional analysis of ncRNAs using molecular barcoded deletion strains in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Analysis of his 76 research outputs reveals a strong emphasis on molecular genetics, with particular focus on neurodevelopmental disorders, mitochondrial translation defects, and splice variant interpretation in clinical contexts. His work bridges fundamental molecular mechanisms with clinical applications. Hitchings-Elion Postdoctoral Fellowship from The Burroughs Wellcome Fund Significant media coverage for work on Perrault syndrome (picked up by 14+ news outlets) Extensive social media engagement with research (100+ X posts, 4+ Wikipedia references) Professor O'Keefe actively contributes to education through teaching Molecular Biology (BIOL10221), Gene Regulation and Disease (BIOL31181), and coordinating the Biochemistry Research Skills Module (BIOL20312). He also serves as a Medical Student Problem Based Learning tutor and has supervised 20 students through their academic work. His current research includes the project 'Pleiotropic disorders of mitochondrial translation' (2022-2025), examining connections between mitochondrial function and human disease.
Will Nash is an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where he teaches Vertebrate Biodiversity and Data Science & Bioinformatics. He is currently employed as a Bioinformatician at the Natural History Museum, London, working remotely with Prof Ian Barnes, and previously spent eight years as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Earlham Institute. His academic journey includes a PhD in evolutionary biology from UEA, an MRes in Entomology from Imperial College London, and a BSc in Zoology from the University of Sheffield. PhD, University of East Anglia (2011–2015) MRes Entomology, Imperial College London (2010–2011) BSc Zoology, University of Sheffield (2006–2009) Will's research centers on evolutionary and comparative genomics, with a focus on insect biodiversity. His key interests include landscape genomics, the functional non-coding genome, and the use of museum DNA to study historical population trends. He is actively involved in large-scale genomics consortia such as the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) and the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA), contributing to the assembly and analysis of reference genomes for non-model species. His recent work explores adaptive evolution in insects, particularly bumblebees, using cutting-edge bioinformatic methods to analyze genome-wide data from both modern and historical specimens. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend in conservation genomics and environmental adaptation. His studies span insect activity under climate stress, genome assembly of ecologically important species, DNA preservation in museum specimens, and genomic introgression in aquaculture. These works highlight his interdisciplinary approach, combining field ecology, genomics, and computational biology to address pressing questions in biodiversity and conservation. Will has extensive supervisory experience with PhD, MRes, and undergraduate students on bioinformatics and ecology projects. While no formal scientific awards are mentioned, his datasets have received broad attention in academic and public spheres, including coverage by numerous news outlets and engagement across social media platforms. He has also contributed to research with significant policy and conservation implications. At the Earlham Institute, Will served as Accessibility Champion on the DEI committee, where he led initiatives to improve physical accessibility and support neurodiverse researchers. He identifies as neurodivergent and is passionate about making STEM more inclusive. His work in IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) in STEM reflects a deep commitment to fostering equitable research environments.
G J Hughes is a Tutor in Philosophy at Campion Hall, University of Oxford. His research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms, genomic regulation, and their implications in diseases such as leukemia and genetic disorders. He is particularly known for contributions to understanding chromatin architecture, enhancer function, and single-cell genomics technologies. Education: Not explicitly stated in provided texts. Research interests include the interplay between chromatin structure and gene expression, with a focus on transcriptional regulation in hematopoiesis and cancer. Key areas of exploration involve super-enhancers, cohesin dynamics, and computational models for predicting regulatory elements. His work bridges basic biological mechanisms and clinical applications, such as improving diagnostic yield through whole-genome sequencing. Publications highlight advancements in technologies like Capture-C, scATAC-seq, and deep learning-based tools (e.g., REnformer) for analyzing 3D genome interactions. These methods enable high-resolution mapping of regulatory landscapes and have implications for understanding developmental disorders and oncogenesis. Awards: No specific honors or fellowships are mentioned. Advising & Grants: Advising relationships are not listed; grants and funding details are absent from the provided texts. However, his collaborative projects suggest involvement in large-scale genomic initiatives and computational biology frameworks. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with interdisciplinary teams focusing on genomics, epigenetics, and computational biology, likely through Oxford’s broader academic networks despite his primary appointment in Philosophy.
