Qualifications
- BSc (University of Nottingham)
- MSc (Newcastle University)
- PhD / DPhil (Newcastle University)
Summary
I am a Lecturer in Genetics in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Hull where I lead the Cancer Epigenetics Team.
I was awarded my Ph.D. in 2012 having worked in the lab of Professor James Allan at Newcastle University studying the molecular genetics of radiation-induced breast cancer. I have continued my interest in this field and have current projects aiming to identify novel genomic biomarkers of radiation-induced cancer in collaboration with Professor Allan.
Prior to my current role I was a post-doctoral research associate in the lab of Dr Luke Gaughan from 2012-2017 studying the role of histone demethylase (HDMs) enzymes in breast cancer. In particular the function of the HDMs KDM4B and KDM3A and their role in estrogen receptor signalling.
My current research continues to investigate the role of epigenetic regulatory enzymes in cancer development and progression, particularly in breast cancer, in an aim to identify novel therapeutic targets. My current interests lie in 'epi-reader' proteins which recognise and interpret histone modifications in order to control gene expression.
Journal Article
Investigating the effects of arginine methylation inhibitors on microdissected brain tumour biopsies maintained in a miniaturised perfusion system
Barry, A., Samuel, S. F., Hosni, I., Moursi, A., Feugere, L., Sennett, C. J., …Beltran-Alvarez, P. (2023). Investigating the effects of arginine methylation inhibitors on microdissected brain tumour biopsies maintained in a miniaturised perfusion system. Lab on a chip, 23(11), 2664-2682. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3lc00204g
The Epigenetic Regulatory Protein CBX2 Promotes mTORC1 Signalling and Inhibits DREAM Complex Activity to Drive Breast Cancer Cell Growth
Bilton, L. J., Warren, C., Humphries, R. M., Kalsi, S., Waters, E., Francis, T., …Wade, M. A. (2022). The Epigenetic Regulatory Protein CBX2 Promotes mTORC1 Signalling and Inhibits DREAM Complex Activity to Drive Breast Cancer Cell Growth. Cancers, 14(14), Article 3491. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14143491
Isolation and characterisation of graves' disease-specific extracellular vesicles from tissue maintained on a bespoke microfluidic device
Foster, H., Wade, M., England, J., Greenman, J., & Green, V. (2021). Isolation and characterisation of graves’ disease-specific extracellular vesicles from tissue maintained on a bespoke microfluidic device. Organs-on-a-Chip, 3, Article 100011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ooc.2021.100011
The histone demethylase enzymes KDM3A and KDM4B co-operatively regulate chromatin transactions of the estrogen receptor in breast cancer
Jones, D., Wilson, L., Thomas, H., Gaughan, L., & Wade, M. A. (2019). The histone demethylase enzymes KDM3A and KDM4B co-operatively regulate chromatin transactions of the estrogen receptor in breast cancer. Cancers, 11(8), Article 1122. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers11081122
The inhibitory subunit of cardiac troponin (cTnI) is modified by arginine methylation in the human heart
Onwuli, D. O., Samuel, S., Sfyri, P., Welham, K., Goddard, M., Abu-Omar, Y., …Beltran-Alvarez, P. (2019). The inhibitory subunit of cardiac troponin (cTnI) is modified by arginine methylation in the human heart. International journal of cardiology, 282, 76-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.01.102
Research interests
My research interests are mainly focused on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer, in particular breast and prostate cancer and glioblastoma. I am interested in enzymes which regulate the chemical modification of histones to control chromatin structure and gene expression, and their potential as therapeutic targets to treat cancer.
I also have interests in the molecular genetics of radiation-induced cancer and the development of ex vivo microfluidic platforms as novel therapeutic target validation tools.
Lead investigator
Project
Funder
Grant
Started
Status
Project
Investigation of chromatin-bound CBX2-associated protein complexes in advanced cancer
Funder
Academy of Medical Sciences
Grant
£99,595.00
Started
1 July 2021
Status
Ongoing
Project
The epigenetic regulatory protein CBX2 as a novel therapeutic target for glioblastoma multiform
Funder
Brain Research UK
Grant
£106,580.00
Started
19 September 2022
Status
Ongoing
Project
Investigating the carcinogenic and epigenetic modulating effects of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in breast cancer development
Funder
Breast Cancer UK
Grant
£99,272.00
Started
1 January 2024
Status
Ongoing
Postgraduate supervision
There are current opportunities for self-funded PhD students in the area of epigenetic regulation in breast cancer and glioblastoma.