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Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman,
Associate Professor

Information about Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman at the University of Bradford.

School of Chemistry & Biosciences
(Faculty of Life Sciences)
Email:
k.riches@bradford.ac.uk
Telephone:
+44 1274 232145
Photo of Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman

Biography

I studied undergraduate BSc (Hons) Biology (Molecular and Cellular) at the University of Huddersfield and graduated with first class honours in 2003. I then worked at the University of Bradford as a research technician until 2005, when I started my PhD in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Leeds under the supervision of Dr Karen Porter and Prof Chris Peers. My work during this time resulted in 3 publications and multiple awards at national and international conferences. After completing my PhD in early 2009, I worked as a post-doctoral research fellow in the Porter lab. This gave me essential training not only in various laboratory techniques, but also in composing grant applications, writing papers, establishing collaborations and supervising students. In November 2015 I started at the University of Bradford as a Lecturer in Biochemistry. In 2018 I graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (distinction) and was awarded fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. In 2018 I my specialism changed to Lecturer in Biomedical Science to better reflect the teaching that I undertake.

Research

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is growing at an alarming rate throughout the world, and new treatments are desperately needed to help these patients cope with the complications that come with T2DM. These patients have a much greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, have poorer outcomes following cardiac surgery, and have problems with wound healing. All of this is very distressing for the patient and also has a big financial impact on the NHS.The over-arching theme of my research interests is how diabetes can impact on cell behaviour (‘phenotype’), and examine the molecular mechanisms underlying this. In the future, this will help us to design new therapies to improve the quality of life and care for patients with diabetes.

I have previously researched the phenotypic differences in cardiovascular cells that are involved in diabetic cardiomyopathy (cardiac fibroblasts) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (smooth muscle and endothelial cells from veins). This work has identified molecular signatures of these phenotypes and work is currently been carried out both here (with Prof. Tim Palmer, Pharmacy) and with collaborators at the University of Leeds to further this understanding.I am now looking at a different form of diabetes - gestational diabetes (GDM) – and how this can affect the smooth muscle cells in the umbilical artery. GDM normally goes away once the baby is born, but both the mother and child are at an increased risk of developing T2DM. This is a very exciting piece of work; my previous studies all looked at cells from patients who had suffered from diabetes for a long period of time. In this GDM project, the maximum duration of diabetes will have been 9 months and so it will allow us to find out how quickly phenotypic changes can occur after the onset of diabetes.

Patients with T2DM have problems with wound healing so I am also interested in how the factors in the circulation of T2DM patients (such as high levels of glucose, free fatty acids, inflammatory mediators) may alter the phenotype of cells that are involved in wound healing. I am working with in the Centre for Skin Sciences to try and explain the molecular changes that underlie this phenomenon.

Research projects

Research projects involving Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman.
Role Date Title/description Funder Award
2016-05-01T00:00:00
2010-08-01T00:00:00
2013-07-01T00:00:00

Research collaborators

Information about people or organisations that Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman collaborates with.
Name Company Country Type Role Theme Description
Bradford Royal Infirmary GB EXTERNAL Consultant Vascular Surgeon Diabetes and vascular disease Provision of clinical samples
University of Leeds GB EXTERNAL Lecturer Embryology Realtime data analysis on embryos
University of Bradford GB INTERNAL Senior Lecturer Skin Sciences Molecular mechanisms underpinning cellular dysfunction in the skin
University of Bradford GB INTERNAL Associate Dean of Research and Knowledge Transfer Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Molecular mechanisms underpinning vascular disease in gestational diabetes
University of Leeds GB EXTERNAL Reader Diabetes and vascular disease Research into the effects of diabetes and abdominal aortic aneurysms on vascular smooth muscle cells.
Hull York Medical School GB EXTERNAL Director of the Centre for Atherothrombosis and Metabolic Disease. Cardiovascular disease Role of JAK/STAT signalling in cardiovascular disease
Leeds Beckett University GB EXTERNAL Course Director Wound healing Influence of platelets on skin cell phenotype
University of York GB EXTERNAL Head of Imaging and Cytometry Diabetes cellular phenotyping Live cell phenotypic screening

Teaching

Details on teaching interests, highlights and modules are available for Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman as follows:

Teaching interests

My teaching interests are the biological basis of disease. This encompasses genetics, biochemistry and pathology of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes - their aetiology, presentation and treatment. I am passionate about engaging students in their teaching and as such use active learning techniques which have been flagged as examples of best practice by students.

Teaching highlights

Nominated for Vice Chancellor's Excellence Award for my teaching in 2018.

Nominated for Best Lecturer and Most Helpful Lecturer by students in 2017.

Professional activities

Information about education, employment and areas of particular interest for Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman is as follows:

Employment

  • University of Bradford - Lecturer in Biochemistry in the year 2015 (specified as 01/01/2015)
  • University of Leeds - Post-doctoral Research Fellow in the year 2008 (specified as 01/01/2008)
  • University of Bradford - Research Technician in the year 2004 (specified as 01/01/2004)

Education

  • University of Leeds - PhD
  • University of Huddersfield - BSc (Hons)
  • University of Bradford - Post-graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice

Publications

There are 56 publications involving or that are attributed to Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman. They are listed as:

  • conference publication (26)
  • magazine article (5)
  • peer reviewed journal (25)

Conference Publication

Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman has 26 publication(s) listed under conference publication.
Title Year Publication name Journal Volume Pages Authors Editors ISSN Publisher DOI Location
A proinflammatory environment modulates the human dermal fibroblast secretory phenotype: Implications for chronic wounds 2018 British Society for Investigative Dermatology British Society for Investigative Dermatology 178 Al-Rikabi A;Riches-Suman K;Tobin DJ;Thornton MJ
Relationship between microRNA-145 and vascular smooth muscle cells senescence in diabetes 2018 British Society for Cardiovascular Research British Society for Cardiovascular Research 104 KE Hemmings, K Riches-Suman, NA Turner, KE Porter, DJ O’Regan Heart
Tumour necrosis factor-a modulates the human dermal fibroblast phenotype: implications for inflammation, impaired wound healing and ageing 2017 British Society for Investigative Dermatology British Society for Investigative Dermatology 176 A Al-Rikabi, K Riches, DJ Tobin, MJ Thornton British Journal of Dermatology
Role of miR-145 as a mediator of DNA damage and senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells from Type 2 diabetes patients 2016 British Society for Cardiovascular Research British Society for Cardiovascular Research 102 KE Hemmings, K Riches, DJ O’Regan, NA Turner, KE Porter Heart
Moderate versus heavy intensity interval training for vascular health in post-menopausal women: A paradox! 2016 American College of Sports Medicine American College of Sports Medicine 48 KM Birch, E Harris, GK Burk, GK Lyall, K Riches, C Ferguson, KE Porter Medical Science and Sports Exercise
Temporal evaluation of SMC phenotype and function in a bioreactor model of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) 2015 European Vascular Biology Organisation European Vascular Biology Organisation 52 E Clark, K Riches, L Jennings, KE Porter Journal of Vascular Research
Premature aging and DNA damage in smooth muscle cells from type 2 diabetes patients: Role of microRNA-145 2015 European Vascular Biology Organisation European Vascular Biology Organisation 52 K Riches, DJ O’Regan, KE Porter Journal of Vascular Research
MicroRNA-21 promoted matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression but does not modulate vascular smooth muscle cell invasion 2015 European Vascular Biology Organisation European Vascular Biology Organisation 52 A Alshanwani, K Riches, IC Wood, NA Turner, KE Porter Journal of Vascular Research
The use of time-lapse ptychography to measure angiogenesis assay dynamics 2014 American Society for Cell Biology American Society for Cell Biology 2014 R Suman, K Langley, K Riches, KE Porter, P O’Toole
Transforming growth factor beta drives a distinct diabetes phenotype in human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells via upregulation of microRNA-143/145 2014 British Society for Cardiovascular Research British Society for Cardiovascular Research 100 K Riches, IC Wood, NA Turner, KE Porter Heart
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 enhances vascular endothelial repair in the setting of insulin resistance 2014 British Society for Cardiovascular Research British Society for Cardiovascular Research 100 A Aziz, N Yuldasheva, J Smith, K Riches, M Gage, RS Mughal, BN Mercer, A Sengupta, N Ali, P Cordell, N Haywood, RM Cubbon, MT Kearney, KE Porter, SB Wheatcroft
Exploring the role of microRNA-21 on human saphenous vein smooth muscle cell function 2014 British Society for Cardiovascular Research British Society for Cardiovascular Research 100 A Alshanwani, K Riches, IC Wood, NA Turner, KE Porter Heart
High susceptibility of human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to apoptosis 2014 Society for Academic Research Surgery Society for Academic Research Surgery 101 MA Bailey, K Riches, DJA Scott, DJ Beech, KE Porter British Journal of Surgery
Elevated expression levels of microRNA-143/145 drive aberrant smooth muscle cell phenotype and function in Type 2 diabetes - evidence of metabolic memory 2013 International Union of Physiological Sciences International Union of Physiological Sciences 2013 K Riches, NA Turner, DJ O’Regan, IC Wood, KE Porter Proceedings of the Physiological Society
Utilising a bioreactor to evaluate smooth muscle cell phenotype and function in protease treated porcine artery model of AAA disease 2013 Society for Academic Research Surgery Society for Academic Research Surgery 100 GS Mudhar, K Riches, P Walker, S Sohrabi, DJA Scott, KE Porter British Journal of Surgery
Atypical smooth muscle cell morphology and function in abdominal aortic aneurysms 2012 International Surgical Congress of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland International Surgical Congress of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland 99 TG Angelini, P Warburton, K Riches, DJA Scott, KE Porter British Journal of Surgery
Atypical smooth muscle cell morphology and function in abdominal aortic aneurysms 2012 Society for Academic Research Surgery Society for Academic Research Surgery 99 TG Angelini, P Warburton, K Riches, DJA Scott, KE Porter British Journal of Surgery
Human aneurysmal vascular smooth muscle cell activation by oxidized phospholipid and inhibition by pyrazole-2 2012 Society for Academic Research Surgery Society for Academic Research Surgery 99 BL Green, KL Brodie, R Bon, Y Majeed, K Riches, DJA Scott, KE Porter, DJ Beech British Journal of Surgery
Aberrant regulation of RhoA and cytoskeletal derangement in saphenous vein smooth muscle cells derived from patients with Type 2 Diabetes: a potential role for microRNAs? 2012 Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biology Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biology 93 K Riches, P Warburton, DJ O’Regan, SG Ball, NA Turner, IC Wood, KE Porter Cardiovascular Research
Apoliprotein(a) impairs vascular smooth muscle cell motility via alpha V beta 3 integrin and RhoA activation 2012 Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biology Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biology 93 K Riches, L Franklin, A Maqbool, J Bond, ML Koschinsky, DJ O’Regan, SG Ball, NA Turner, KE Porter Cardiovascular Research
Apoliprotein(a) impairs adaptive remodelling in human saphenous vein endothelial and smooth muscle cells 2010 British Society for Cardiovascular Research British Society for Cardiovascular Research 96 K Riches, L Franklin, R Chowdhury, A Maqbool, DJ O’Regan, SG Ball, ML Koschinsky, NA Turner, KE Porter Heart
Hypoxia inhibits MMP-2 activation and invasion in human cardiac myofibroblasts 2008 British Society for Cardiovascular Research British Society for Cardiovascular Research 94 K Riches, ME Morley, C Peers, KE Porter Heart
Hypoxic inhibition of MMP-2 activation and invasion in human cardiac myofibroblasts 2008 International Society for Heart Research International Society for Heart Research 44 K Riches, ME Morley, C Peers, KE Porter Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology
Furin regulates hypoxic inhibition of MMP-2 activation in human cardiac fibroblasts 2007 British Society for Matrix Biology British Society for Matrix Biology 88 K Riches, ME Morley, C Peers, KE Porter International Journal of Experimental Pathology
CCAAT enhancer binding proteins as candidate transcription factors in the regulation of features of the insulin resistance syndrome 2005 European Association for the Study of Diabetes European Association for the Study of Diabetes 48 AM Carter, CE Bennett, JA Bostock, CM Cymbalista, MS Freeman, TS Futers, K Riches, DJ Rolton, TJ Scarrott, PJ Grant Diabetologia
CCAAT enhancer binding proteins: co-regulators of haemostasis and the metabolic syndrome? 2005 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Congress International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Congress 3 AM Carter, CE Bennett, JA Bostock, CM Cymbalista, MS Freeman, TS Futers, K Riches, DJ Rolton, TJ Scarrott, PJ Grant Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis

Magazine Article

Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman has 5 publication(s) listed under magazine article.
Title Year Publication name Journal Volume Pages Authors Editors ISSN Publisher DOI Location
North of England Cell Biology Forum 2018 K Riches-Suman British Society for Cell Biology Magazine
Meeting Report: Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes 2017 K Riches and meeting co-organizers The Biochemist
Autumn Meeting of the British Society for Cardiovascular Research 2016: Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes 2017 KE Porter, NA Turner, K Riches BSCR Bulletin
Vascular smooth muscle cells: phenotype and function in type 2 diabetes 2012 KE Porter, K Riches BSCR Bulletin
Cardiovascular 2010: A BSCR Travel Report 2011 K Riches BSCR Bulletin

Peer Reviewed Journal

Dr. Kirsten Riches-Suman has 25 publication(s) listed under peer reviewed journal.
Title Year Publication name Journal Volume Pages Authors Editors ISSN Publisher DOI Location
Elevated expression levels of microRNA-143/5 in saphenous vein smooth muscle cells from patients with type 2 diabetes drive persistent changes in phenotype and function 2014 Riches-Suman, Kirsten; Alshanwani, A.R.; Warburton, P.; O'Regan, D.J.; Ball, S.G.; Wood, I.C.; Turner, N.A.; Porter, K.E.
Investigating inherent functional differences between human cardiac fibroblasts cultured from non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic donors 2014 Sedgwick, B.; Riches-Suman, Kirsten; Bageghni, S.A.; O'Regan, D.J.; Porter, K.E.; Turner, N.A.
Type 2 diabetes impairs venous, but not arterial smooth muscle cell function: possible role of differential RhoA activity 2014 Riches-Suman, Kirsten; Warburton, P.; O'Regan, D.J.; Turner, N.A.; Porter, K.E.
Vascular smooth muscle as a target for novel therapeutics 2015 Porter, K.E.; Riches-Suman, Kirsten
Aberrant Phenotype in Human Endothelial Cells of Diabetic Origin: Implications for Saphenous Vein Graft Failure? 2015 Roberts, A.C.; Gohil, J.; Hudson, L.; Connolly, K.; Warburton, P.; Suman, R.; O'Toole, P.; O'Regan, D.J.; Turner, N.A.; Riches-Suman, Kirsten; Porter, K.E.
Mapping the methylation status of the miR-145 promoter in saphenous vein smooth muscle cells from individuals with type 2 diabetes 2016 Riches-Suman, Kirsten; Huntriss, J.; Keeble, C.; Wood, I.C.; O'Regan, D.J.; Turner, N.A.; Porter, K.E.
Linking energy sensing to suppression of JAK-STAT signalling: a potential route for repurposing AMPK activators? 2018 Speirs, C.; Williams, Jamie J.L.; Riches-Suman, Kirsten; Salt, I.P.; Palmer, Timothy M.
Insulinlike growth factor – binding protein-1 improves vascular endothelial repair in male mice in the setting of insulin resistance 2018 Aziz, A.; Haywood, N.J.; Cordell, P.A.; Smith, J.; Yuldasheva, N.Y.; Sengupta, A.; Ali, N.; Mercer, B.N.; Mughal, R.S.; Riches-Suman, Kirsten; Cubbon, R.M.; Porter, K.E.; Kearney, M.T.; Wheatcroft, S.B.
Progressive development of aberrant smooth muscle cell phenotype in abdominal aortic aneurysm disease 2018 Riches-Suman, Kirsten; Clark, E.; Helliwell, R.J.; Angelini, T.G.; Hemmings, K.E.; Bailey, M.A.; Bridge, K.I.; Scott, D.J.A.; Porter, K.E.
MicroRNA‐21 drives the switch to a synthetic phenotype in human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells 2018 Alshanwani, A.R.; Riches-Suman, Kirsten; O'Regan, D.J.; Wood, I.C.; Turner, N.A.; Porter, K.E.
The vascular smooth muscle cell: a therapeutic target in Type 2 diabetes? 2013 Clinical Science Porter KE;Riches K; 10.1042/CS20120413
Apolipoprotein(a) acts as a chemorepellent to human vascular smooth muscle cells via integrin αVβ3 and RhoA/ROCK-mediated mechanisms. 2013 International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Riches K;Franklin L;Maqbool A;Peckham M;Adams M;Bond J;Warburton P;Feric NT;Koschinsky ML;O'Regan DJ;Ball SG;Turner NA;Porter KE; 10.1016/j.biocel.2013.05.021
Lipoprotein(a): Cellular Effects and Molecular Mechanisms. 2012 Cholesterol Riches K;Porter KE; 10.1155/2012/923289
Divergent effects of 17-β-estradiol on human vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell function diminishes TNF-α-induced neointima formation. 2012 Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Nintasen R;Riches K;Mughal RS;Viriyavejakul P;Chaisri U;Maneerat Y;Turner NA;Porter KE; 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.03.082
Hypoxic remodelling of Ca2+ stores does not alter human cardiac myofibroblast invasion. 2010 Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Riches K;Hettiarachchi NT;Porter KE;Peers C; 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.11.060
Potent suppression of vascular smooth muscle cell migration and human neointimal hyperplasia by KV1.3 channel blockers. 2011 Cardiovascular Research Cheong A;Li J;Sukumar P;Kumar B;Zeng F;Riches K;Munsch C;Wood IC;Porter KE;Beech DJ; 10.1093/cvr/cvq305
Cellular mechanisms by which proinsulin C-peptide prevents insulin-induced neointima formation in human saphenous vein. 2010 Diabetologia Mughal RS;Scragg JL;Lister P;Warburton P;Riches K;O'Regan DJ;Ball SG;Turner NA;Porter KE; 10.1007/s00125-010-1736-6
CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha, beta and delta gene variants: associations with obesity related phenotypes in the Leeds Family Study. 2010 Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research Bennett CE;Nsengimana J;Bostock JA;Cymbalista C;Futers TS;Knight BL;McCormack LJ;Prasad UK;Riches K;Rolton D;Scarrott T;Barrett JH;Carter AM; 10.1177/1479164110366274
Short-term stimulation of calcium-permeable transient receptor potential canonical 5-containing channels by oxidized phospholipids. 2010 Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Al-Shawaf E;Naylor J;Taylor H;Riches K;Milligan CJ;O'Regan D;Porter KE;Li J;Beech DJ; 10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.205666
Exploring smooth muscle phenotype and function in a bioreactor model of abdominal aortic aneurysm 2013 Journal of Translational Medicine Riches, K.;Angelini, T.G.;Mudhar, G.S.;Kaye, J.;Clark, E.;Bailey, M.A.;Sohrabi, S.;Korossis, S.;Walker, P.G.;Scott, D.J.A.;Porter, K.E.; 10.1186/1479-5876-11-208
Inherent differences in morphology, proliferation, and migration in saphenous vein smooth muscle cells cultured from nondiabetic and Type 2 diabetic patients. 2009 American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology Madi HA;Riches K;Warburton P;O'Regan DJ;Turner NA;Porter KE; 10.1152/ajpcell.00608.2008
Chronic hypoxia inhibits MMP-2 activation and cellular invasion in human cardiac myofibroblasts. 2009 Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Riches K;Morley ME;Turner NA;O'Regan DJ;Ball SG;Peers C;Porter KE; 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2009.06.002
The -1562C/T MMP-9 promoter polymorphism does not predict MMP-9 expression levels or invasive capacity in saphenous vein smooth muscle cells cultured from different patients. 2009 Atherosclerosis Maqbool A;Turner NA;Galloway S;Riches K;O'Regan DJ;Porter KE; 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2009.05.028
Hypoxic inhibition of human cardiac fibroblast invasion and MMP-2 activation may impair adaptive myocardial remodelling. 2007 Biochemical Society Transactions Morley ME;Riches K;Peers C;Porter KE; 10.1042/BST0350905
Therapeutic Targeting of the Proinflammatory IL-6-JAK/STAT Signalling Pathways Responsible for Vascular Restenosis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 2019 Cardiology Research and Practice 2019 Moshapa FT;Riches-Suman K;Palmer TM; 2090-8016 10.1155/2019/9846312