Research

About me and my research

I have a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, project entitled "The TGF-beta microRNAome in glaucoma". My research program was in the Willoughby Lab, in the genomic medicine research group at Ulster University. Research interests include glaucoma, specifically bioinformatics, fibrosis, oxidative stress and miRNAs. I have skills in bioinformatics and molecular/cell biology and work with trabecular meshwork cells and Tenon’s fibroblasts. I can perform miRNA and RNA-Seq analysis and pathway analysis in Bioconductor/R. From these sequencing datasets I can perform downstream molecular experiments including RT-qPCR, WB, miRNA transfections and cell-based assays. I enjoy using a combination of dry-lab and wet-lab experiments to study disease processes in glaucoma.

Cell Culture

trabecular meshwork

I have collected both bovine eyes and human corneoscleral rims to extract the trabecular meshwork and grow trabecular meshwork cells for experimentation throughout my PhD.

tenon's capsule

I have extracted Tenon's fibroblast cells from primary normal and glaucomatous human samples to use for experimentation in my research.

micrornas

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNAs that play important roles in regulating gene expression. The majority of miRNAs are transcribed from DNA sequences into primary miRNAs and processed into precursor miRNAs, and finally mature miRNAs. Most of my research involves looking at miRNA expression in trabecular meshwork cells and Tenon's fibroblast cells in response to TGFβ stimulation.

Tgf-beta signalling pathway

TGFβ has been found in almost all human cells, where it has a significant role in apoptosis, differentiation, the cell cycle, immuno-regulation and the synthesis of the ECM via binding with its receptors.

There is a large body of evidence that TGFβ1 and -β2 play an important role in the pathogenesis of POAG and PXFG. Several studies have reported elevated aqueous humour levels of TGFβ2 in POAG patients and TGFβ1 in PXFG patients.

Bioinformatics analysis

In my undergraduate degree (Stratified Medicine) we learnt a bit about bioinformatics. During the first lockdown in 2020, our lab was closed for weeks. As I was just starting my PhD journey I didn't get to do a lot of wet-lab work that would allow me to write up my results or analyse during this time at home. I actually decided to further my learning of bioinformatics and take some courses. I ran the bioinformatics analysis within our lab group - RNA-seq and miRNA-seq analysis.

Several datasets I have worked on during my PhD will be published soon.

Certificates

Ulster University short course: BIO704 ( 22590 ) - Coding Skills for Biologists. 2021-22 with instructor Dr Priyank Shukla. This is a level 7 Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Development course with an aim to provide students with an understanding of the principles of computer programming and its application in biomedical data analysis.

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