The Life Course - Cells to Systems in Health and Disease
Overview
The focus of the Life Course - Cells to Systems in Health & Disease theme is to understand molecular and cellular biological mechanisms and develop relevant methodologies to investigate them in relation to human health and disease across all stages of the life cycle. Our research includes basic biology, epigenetics, proteomics, and early translational research, from target identification to preclinical studies. We share common research platforms, integrating our cell-based and whole system approach with the three other themes within the faculty.
Research topics in the theme include, but are not limited to, studies of the molecular mechanisms important for cellular function in health and disease with a focus on ageing-associated diseases such as neurological disease, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and infertility. We are utilising preclinical behavioural models to develop novel agents for the treatment of a range of disorders and dissecting the underlying neurochemical processes responsible.

Recent News
Inaugural Lecture: Professor Anne Graham
The endothelium as a critical regulator of inflammation in disease
Tuesday 25 January 2022 at the University of Bradford.
Northern Vascular Biology Forum (NVBF) meeting
The NVBF is a consortium of nine regional universities focussing on cardiovascular development and disease. The recent meeting on 14 December 2021 was hosted by the Cardiovascular Research Group in the Faculty of Life Sciences. It featured 36 talks from across the region and was organized by Dr Kirsten Riches-Suman.
Recent Publications
L Privitera, E. Hogg, M Lopes, L Domingos, M Gaestel, J Müller, M Wall, S Correa, S (2022)
“The MK2 cascade mediates transient alteration in mGluR-LTD and spatial learning in a murine model of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Aging Cell. 21, e13717, doi: 10.1111/acel.13717
ER Clark, RJ Helliwell, MA Bailey, KE Hemmings, KI Bridge, KJ Griffin, DJA Scott, LM Jennings, K Riches-Suman, KE Porter. (2022)
"Preservation of smooth muscle cell integrity and function: A target for limiting abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion?"
Cells;11:1043, doi: 10.3390/cells11061043
RL Ross, G Mavria, F Del Galdo, J Elies. (2022)
"Downregulation of Vascular Hemeoxygenase-1 Leads to Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis"
Frontiers in Physiology 13:900631. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.900631
G Lyall, G Birk, E Harris, C Ferguson, K Riches-Suman, M Kearney, K Porter, K Birch. (2022)
"Efficacy of interval exercise training to improve vascular health in sedentary postmenopausal females."
Physiological Reports. doi: 10.14814/phy2.15441
Griffin J, Chen Y, Catto JWF, El-Khamisy S.
“Gene of the month: NKX3.1”
J Clin Pathol. 2022 Jan 7, doi:10.1136/jclinpath-2021-208073
Giacomo Reina, Amalia Ruiz, Barbara Richichi, Giacomo Biagiotti, Gina E Giacomazzo, Lucas Jacquemin, Yuta Nishina, Cécilia Ménard-Moyon, Wafa T Al-Jamal and Alberto Bianco
“Design of a graphene oxide-BODIPY conjugate for glutathione depletion and photodynamic therapy”
2D Materials, 9 015038, doi:10.1088/2053-1583/ac4572
Research clusters
The research within the Life Course theme is facilitated by research clusters focussing on a specific research area. Research clusters are currently being developed and further research clusters will be added once they are fully established.
Visit our Cardiovascular Research Group for more information about cardocascular research in the Faculty of Life Sciences.
Research expertise
The research in the Life Course theme comprises specific knowledge and expertise in a range of subjects related to the life span. Please contact the research theme leads for more information or to discuss potential collaborations.
The key areas of expertise in the Life Course theme are:
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Cancer
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Cardiovascular disease
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Chronic inflammation
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Neurological disease
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Skin sciences
Research Leads
The theme is led by a Director of Research and two deputies who are jointly responsible for the scientific direction of the theme.
Research theme members
The Life Course - Cells to Systems in Health and Disease theme consists of several research groups working together to perform collaborative, multi-disciplinary research.
Visit our Research theme members page.