Decoding the endothelial adhesome - a sticky business
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels form from pre-existing ones. It occurs during embryonic development and is essential for maintaining healthy physiological processes such as wound healing and the restructuring of the uterine wall during the menstrual cycle. This process works less effectively as we age and mis-regulation of angiogenesis contributes to a multitude of malignant, inflammatory, ischaemic, infectious and immune disorder. Thus increasing understanding of angiogenesis regulation and allowing manipulation of it to maintain health and repair disease throughout life.
The lab is interested in the role endothelial B3-integrin plays in the angiogenic process; endothelial cells are the key cellular mediators of angiogenesis. Using quantitative mass spectrometry the initial stages of this project will extend the laboratory's current analysis of the endothelial adhesome by examining changes that occur within this complex molecular network when B3-integrin expression is depleted. We will then focus on B3-integrin-dependent molecular pathways to determine their functional role in mediating endothelial migration in response to angiogenic stimuli.
During this project, the student will develop expertise in a wide range of cross-disciplinary techniques, including working with knockout mice, endothelial cell isolation, cell imaging, tissue culture, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical assays including mass spectrometry and Western blot analyses whilst keeping abreast of rapidly changing literature so that findings from other studies and our own lab can be communicated effectively and in a timely manner.
The lab is interested in the role endothelial B3-integrin plays in the angiogenic process; endothelial cells are the key cellular mediators of angiogenesis. Using quantitative mass spectrometry the initial stages of this project will extend the laboratory's current analysis of the endothelial adhesome by examining changes that occur within this complex molecular network when B3-integrin expression is depleted. We will then focus on B3-integrin-dependent molecular pathways to determine their functional role in mediating endothelial migration in response to angiogenic stimuli.
During this project, the student will develop expertise in a wide range of cross-disciplinary techniques, including working with knockout mice, endothelial cell isolation, cell imaging, tissue culture, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical assays including mass spectrometry and Western blot analyses whilst keeping abreast of rapidly changing literature so that findings from other studies and our own lab can be communicated effectively and in a timely manner.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Stephen Robinson (Primary Supervisor) | |
Robert Johnson (Student) |
Publications
Atkinson SJ
(2018)
The ß3-integrin endothelial adhesome regulates microtubule-dependent cell migration.
in EMBO reports
Alghamdi AAA
(2020)
NRP2 as an Emerging Angiogenic Player; Promoting Endothelial Cell Adhesion and Migration by Regulating Recycling of a5 Integrin.
in Frontiers in cell and developmental biology
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011216/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1654326 | Studentship | BB/M011216/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/09/2019 | Robert Johnson |
Description | Deciphering the angiogenic tug-of-war between neuropilin-1 interacting integrins: phase II |
Amount | £182,222 (GBP) |
Funding ID | PG/17/46/32880 |
Organisation | British Heart Foundation (BHF) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 02/2020 |
Description | Picking apart the complex interactions between integrins and neuropilin-1 during angiogenesis |
Amount | £12,345,975 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 2244716 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | Student Member Bursary |
Amount | £160 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biochemical Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 04/2018 |
Description | Angiogenesis GRS 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Oral Presentation on research funded by this award at the 2017 Angiogenesis Gordon Research Seminar, Rhode Island, USA |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Angiogenesis GRS 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Oral Presentation on research funded by this award at the 2019 Angiogenesis Gordon Research Seminar, Rhode Island, USA |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Imperial Vascular Endothelium Symposium 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Oral Presentation on research funded by this project to participants of the 2017 Imperial Vascular Endothelial Symposium, London, UK |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |