Dr Mark Wade

Dr Mark Wade

Lecturer in Genetics

Faculty and Department

  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Hull York Medical School

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.

I am module coordinator for the Level 4 Principles of Genetics module and teach on the Level 5 Molecular Genetics and Proteomics module and Level 6 Human Genetics module. I also supervise undergraduate students for their Independent Research Projects at Level 6 and MSc by Thesis postrgraduate students and teach on the Level 4 and 5 skills modules.

Recent outputs

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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.

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