Dr Barbara Guinn

Dr Barbara Guinn

Reader in Biomedical Sciences

Faculty and Department

  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Hull York Medical School

Qualifications

  • BSc (Aberystwyth University)
  • PhD / DPhil (Cardiff University)

Summary

I am a Reader in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Hull. I have a BSc Genetics from University of Aberyswyth (1991) and a PhD from the University of Wales College of Medicine Cardiff (1995). I then worked at the University of Toronto as a postdoctoral fellow and started my own research group at King's College London in 1999.

I am interested in identifying antigens as targets for immunotherapy (where the immune system is stimulated to kill diseased cells) but we have also realised that disease-specific proteins can provide insights into the biology of disease and biomarkers for disease stage and survival.

Currently we are looking for antigenic targets for the targeted therapy of adult B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia, colon and ovarian cancer, as well as endometriosis and incidental lung nodules. We have shown that antigens can act as biomarkers for disease (diagnosis, survival and subtype) as well as providing new insights into the biology underlying these difficult to treat diseases.

Undergraduate - BSc Programmes

-Professional and Research Skills for Biomedical & Forensic Scientists (L5)

- Current Topics in Forensic Science (L6)

-Human Genetics (L6)

- Clinical Biochemistry (L6)

-Final Year Independent Projects (L6)

Postgraduate - MSc Programmes

-Independent Research Projects for MSc Biomedical Sciences and MBiochem students

Recent outputs

View more outputs

Journal Article

Microplastics in human urine: characterisation using µFTIR and sampling challenges using healthy donors and endometriosis participants.

Rotchell, J. M., Austin, C., Chapman, E., Atherall, C. A., Liddle, C. R., Dunstan, T. S., …Guinn, B. (2024). Microplastics in human urine: characterisation using µFTIR and sampling challenges using healthy donors and endometriosis participants. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 274, Article 116208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116208

Identification of biomarkers for the early detection of non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mohamed, E., Hart, S., & Guinn, B. (in press). Identification of biomarkers for the early detection of non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Carcinogenesis, Article bgad091. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgad091

A Direct Comparison, and Prioritisation, of the Immunotherapeutic Targets Expressed by Adult and Paediatric Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Cells: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Morris, V., Ghazi, H., Fletcher, D., & Guinn, B. A. (2023). A Direct Comparison, and Prioritisation, of the Immunotherapeutic Targets Expressed by Adult and Paediatric Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Cells: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(11), Article 9667. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119667

A Combination of the Immunotherapeutic Drug Anti-Programmed Death 1 with Lenalidomide Enhances Specific T Cell Immune Responses against Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Guinn, B. A., Schuler, P. J., Schrezenmeier, H., Hofmann, S., Weiss, J., Bulach, C., …Greiner, J. (2023). A Combination of the Immunotherapeutic Drug Anti-Programmed Death 1 with Lenalidomide Enhances Specific T Cell Immune Responses against Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(11), Article 9285. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119285

Accuracy and utility of blood and urine biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of endometriosis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Dolińska, W., Draper, H., Othman, L., Thompson, C., Girvan, S., Cunningham, K., …Guinn, B. A. (2023). Accuracy and utility of blood and urine biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of endometriosis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. F&S Reviews, 4(2), 116-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfnr.2022.12.001

Research interests

My research interests focus around antigen identification reflecting my own background in genetics, immunology and cancer research. We use a range of techniques to identify and characterise antigens including SEREX, proto-arrays, gene expression arrays, RNA-seq, qPCR and pMHC arrays.

I am particularly interested in identifying new biomarkers for difficult to diagnose diseases such as endometriosis, ovarian cancer and lung nodules that develop into cancer. These are often difficult to treat diseases because of their late diagnosis.

Lead investigator

Project

Funder

Grant

Started

Status

Project

HIKE: Development of a commercial urine test for the earlier detection of endometriosis

Funder

MRC Medical Research Council

Grant

£54,915.00

Started

1 July 2023

Status

Ongoing

Project

Funding for Alice Fearn to attend the EACR annual conference

Funder

FRAME

Grant

£1,022.00

Started

1 June 2023

Status

Ongoing

Project

Development of a sensitive test for endometriosis

Funder

Anonymous Sponsor

Grant

£282,278.00

Started

1 April 2024

Status

Ongoing

Project

Impact of CO2 on antigen expression: new ways to induce immune responses against cancer?’

Funder

FRAME

Grant

£1,950.00

Started

1 July 2019

Status

Complete

Project

Article Processing Costs

Funder

Breakthrough Cancer Research

Grant

£1,800.00

Started

1 April 2021

Status

Complete

Project

Using art to raise awareness of endometriosis

Funder

The Bay Gallery

Grant

£146.00

Started

1 June 2021

Status

Complete

Project

Characterisation of a urine biomarker for the earlier detection of endometriosis

Funder

Novosanis

Grant

£21,270.00

Started

1 August 2021

Status

Complete

Project

Development of a cell line that represents early stage ovarian cancer

Funder

FRAME

Grant

£14,616.00

Started

1 January 2022

Status

Complete

Project

Identification of biomarkers for the earlier detection and targets for the immunotherapy of endometriosis

Funder

British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy

Grant

£3,000.00

Started

1 January 2022

Status

Complete

Project

Effect of preservative on urine analysis

Funder

Novosanis

Grant

£3,015.00

Started

1 December 2021

Status

Complete

Project

Identification of targets for the therapy of epithelial ovarian cancer

Funder

Academy of Medical Sciences

Grant

£1,406.00

Started

1 March 2022

Status

Complete

Project

Equipment - orbital shaker

Funder

The Rotary Foundation

Grant

£250.00

Started

1 August 2022

Status

Complete

Postgraduate supervision

Dr Guinn welcomes applications from students who want to study postgraduate research degrees (MSc by Research, MD(Res) and PhD) in the Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School. My group is particularly interested in difficult to diagnose and/or treat diseases. Currently this includes acute leukaemias, ovarian and lung cancer, and endometriosis, and has led to the identification of biomarkers for survival, target for therapies and improved our understanding of the biological basis of disease.

For more information about possible projects please contact barbara.guinn@hyms.ac.uk

Current MD/PhD students

Hannah Draper 2022 - Present. Writing-up.

Submitted/corrections

- Eithar Mohamed (2023) Identification of tumour antigens that may facilitate effective cancer detection and treatment. Corrections.

- Leah Cooksey (2023) Hypoxic regulation of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development of endometriosis. Corrections.

Completed MD/PhD students

- Kelly Grayson (2023) Investigating Synovial Sarcoma, X breakpoint proteins in ovarian cancer. University of Hull.

- Holly Wilkinson (2019) Exploring the role of metals and senescence in cutaneous wound healing. University of Hull.

- Sarah Edge (2019) Investigating the role of miRNA-187 and the downstream PI3K signalling pathway in modulating radiation sensitivity in oesophageal adenocarcinoma. University of Hull.

- Fidelia Bature (2017) Patterns of signs and symptoms preceding Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis: A cross sectional study. University of Bedfordshire.

- Ghazala Khan (2016) Characterisation of the expression of biomarkers and tumour antigens in ovarian cancer and myeloid leukaemia. University of Bedfordshire.

- Emma Buick (2016) The loss of PI3K C2a is associated with a heightened immune response. University of Bedfordshire.

- Nicola Hardwick (2008) Pre-clinical evaluation of immunotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia with PASD1 peptide vaccination and autologous whole cell vaccines. King's College London.

- Adam T.C. Cheuk (2005) Immunogene therapy of murine and human acute myeloid leukaemia using costimulatory molecules: A comparison of the efficacy of B7-1, B7-2 and 4-1BBL. King's College London.

Current MSc by Research Students

Danny Fletcher, First supervisor.

Daiga Spore, Second supervisor. Writing up

Alice Fearn, First supervisor. Minor Corrections.

Completed Masters (MPhil and MSc by Research) Students

- Elliott Brown (2022) Identification of the molecular pathways involved in paediatric and adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). University of Hull.

- Sara Goodman (2020) Identification of novel tumour antigens in adults with B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia. University of Hull.

- Chloe Warren (2019) Investigating the role of CBX2 in models of triple negative breast cancer. University of Hull.

- Stephanie Jordaens (2019) Analysis of the expression of antigens in adult B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Erasmus + between University of Hull and University of Antwerp.

- Leah Cooksey (2018) Identification of novel tumour antigens for the immunotherapy of B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia. University of Hull.

- Laurie Freire Boullosa (2017) Characterisation of the expression of novel antigens in adult B-acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Erasmus + between University of Hull and University of Antwerp.

- Viktoriya Boncheva, MPhil (2014) The identification of tumour antigens recognised by patients with Dukes’ B reactive colorectal cancers. University of Bedfordshire.

- Hans Vergauwen (2011) Optimisation of the pMHC array for the identification of leukaemia-associated antigen-specific T cells in leukaemia patients. Erasmus + between University of Southampton & University of Antwerp.

- Frances Denniss (2006) The protein expression of two leukaemia associated antigens in AML: PASD1 and SSX2IP and the potential as targets for immunotherapy. King’s College London.

Charity role

Raising money for Endometriosis Research at the University of Hull

2021

In August 2021 I wrote 'I am a researcher at the University of Hull and we want to develop new ways to diagnose endometriosis earlier and better understand this awful disease. Although we continue to apply for grants to fund our research we need some help paying for equipment and chemicals that will progress our research now. That way we can generate data quickly, and help make a difference ASAP.' It's now December 2021 and we have brought in grants from EACR-Novosanis and British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy to help pay for our lab consumables (plasticwear, test kits). Although this is helping us progress our research significantly we will continue to fund raise until we have a way to improve the ease of diagnosis and effectivity of treatment for endometriosis patients. If you would like to support us the link for donations is https://alumni.hull.ac.uk/donation-form-endometriosis

Cancer Research U.K. Ambassador

2007

Committee/Steering group role

Trustee of EndoBuddies

2023

EndoBuddies provides hundreds of care packages that have either been given out on Surgery days or posted to people in desperate need of a little bit of love and support. They are currently being handed out on Surgery days at the Endometriosis Specialist Centre at Castle Hill Hospital, Cedar ward at Hull Royal Infirmary, and we also post them out across the country too. It's thanks to every single person who has donated to the project that has made it possible for Katy Phillips's little idea to become a reality. Katy has a wishlist on Amazon if anyone would like to purchase anything to help make the care packages which are then given to patients. https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/29CWYEN1SSJMA... Or, if anyone wants to donate funds please click the following link... https://gofund.me/bf48633b

Conference organisation

PIVAC23: Session chair: Cancer Biomarkers for Prognosis and Prediction (Part II)

2023

Expert Reviewer for 25th Congress of the European Haematology Association

2020 - 2020

Session Chair at 6th Symposium on Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy: Tumor Immunology (I)

2020

Conference presentation

Invited Speaker at PIVAC23 in Athens, Greece

2023

Invited Speaker at “The 22nd International Conference on Progress in Vaccination Against Cancer” (PIVAC-23) which was held from 28th –30th September 2023 in Athens, Greece at the Saint Savvas Cancer Hospital, 171 Alexandras avenue, 11522, Athens. PIVAC 23 aims to bring together scientists working on translational and clinical cancer research for three days of presentations on the most recent advances in these fields including (i) immunotherapies (cellular, immune checkpoint blockade, vaccines); (ii) innate immunity and tumor control; (iii) host- tumor interactions in the tumor microenvironment; (iv) in vitro and in vivo models for cancer immunotherapies (v) combinational cancer therapy approaches; and (vi) prognostic and predictive biomarkers in tumors and immune cells. Improved knowledge of genomic and molecular alterations in tumors has significantly contributed to improved clinical outcomes. However, many hurdles remain to be overcome. Alterations in the tumor genome are associated not only with immune stimulation but also with an immune suppressive microenvironment and tumor immune escape mechanisms. Currently, various promising novel approaches are being employed to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies alone or in combination with targeted therapies, often by seeking to reverse the immunosuppressive environment. Additionally, prognostic signatures are being sought in order to provide a basis for tailored immunotherapies. During the meeting there will be plenty of time for fruitful discussions between speakers and participants to encourage the emergence of new collaborations. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we are pleased to invite you to participate in this Meeting. Chair: Olga Balaoura, President of the Board of Directors and Commander of the Saint Savvas Cancer Hospital Dr. Constantin N. Baxevanis, Scientific Director Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center, Cancer Research Center, Saint Savvas Cancer Hospital George Georgiou, Deputy Director of Finance, Saint Savvas Cancer Hospital Prof. Graham Pawelec, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Head of Conference Secretariat, Dr. Vasiliki Gkioka

Invited speaker at 6th Symposium on Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy, Athens, Greece

2020

Τhe Hellenic Society of Immuno-Oncology organized the “6th Symposium on Advances in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy” that was held on December 3-5, 2020 online through a special platform. The main objectives was to gather, share and exchange experiences and ideas, translate and extend this knowledge to the clinic, promote interactions between speakers and participants and encourage stimulating discussions, provide network opportunities and stimulate new collaborations.

Invited Speaker at the 3rd Summer School in Immuno-Oncology, Larissa, Greece, organized by the Hellenic Society of Immuno-Oncology.

2020

Invited speaker at the 5th Symposium on Advances in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, Athens, Greece.

2019

Invited speaker at PIVAC-19 in Athens, Greece

2019

External examiner role

External examiner for MSc Medical Molecular Biology with Genetics and MRes in Molecular Medicine - University of Bangor

2021 - 2025

External Examiner for BSc Biomedical Science - Queen's University Belfast

2021 - 2025

External Assessor for BSc Biomedical Sciences - Aberystwyth University

2019 - 2019

External Examiner to BSc/MSci Biomedical Sciences - Newcastle University

2017 - 2021

Journal editorial role

Guest Editor of the Special Issue on 'Molecular Mechanisms underlying, and Therapies targeting, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia II' in International Journal of Molecular Sciences

2022 - 2022

Review Editor for Frontiers in Oncology

2022

Guest Editor of the Special Issue on 'Molecular Mechanisms underlying, and Therapies targeting, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia' in International Journal of Molecular Sciences

2021 - 2021

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the second most frequent haematological malignancy in the paediatric population and remains a leading cause of childhood cancer mortality. In adults AML is rare, increasing in incidence with age, but it is still the most common form of acute leukaemia. Paediatric AML is viewed as a separate disease to adult AML, thought to occur due to single genetic changes that alone are enough to cause AML at a young age. In adults it is thought a lifetime accumulation of genetic alterations leads to the development of disease in later life. In both patient groups, and despite improvements to patient outcomes and associated overall survival (OS) rates they offer, current therapies still have limitations. It is essential, therefore, that we continue to identify new targets for therapy so that we can widen the scope of future treatments and determine their relevance to paediatric and adult leukaemias. This special issue will focus on the identification and characterisation of the molecular mechanisms that underlie AML pathogenesis and new targets for the therapy of this rare and heterogenous disease. The aim is to review the state-of-the-art and look beyond current therapies to see where the future of AML treatment may reside. For more details see https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms/special_issues/Molecular_Myeloid

Associate Editor, Journal of Translational Medicine

2020 - 2023

Associate Editor for the ‘Translational Hematology’ section of Journal of Translational Medicine. Role includes assessing manuscripts in the field of Translational Hematology, guiding them through the peer review process and ensuring they adhere to the ethos, editorial standards, policies and scope of the journal. Associate Editors’ are encouraged to take an active interest in journal development and advocacy.

Editor-in-Chief Biomarkers in Cancer

2008 - 2019

Membership/Fellowship of professional body

Member of the Biochemical Society

2024

European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)

2021

Member of the World Endometriosis Society (WES)

2020

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

2019

Member of the Higher Education Academy since 2011 2011 AHEA 2012 FHEA 2019 SFHEA

Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)

2014 - 2022

Fellow of the Higher Education Association (FHEA)

2012 - 2019

Associate of the Higher Education Academy (AHEA)

2011 - 2012

Genetics Society

1990

Research assessment service

Grant Review for Swiss National Science Foundation

2023 - 2023

Evaluation of a grant proposal for the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)

Grant Review - Bart's Charity

2023 - 2023

Grant Review - UKRI

2023 - 2023

Grant Review X 2 - Medical Research Council

2023

Grant review for World Cancer Research Fund International

2022 - 2022

Reviewed a grant for World Cancer Research Fund International

Grant reviewer for Leukaemia UK

2022 - 2022

Grant Reviewer - Cancer Research Trust NZ

2021 - 2021

Grant reviewer for the Cancer Research Trust NZ

Grant Reviewer for the Belgium Foundation Against Cancer

2021

Scientific Expert Reviewer for the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA)

2020

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