To define molecular aspects of strain identity and strain mutation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: The Roslin Institute
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
Scrapie has been endemic in the UK sheep flock for over 200 years and multiple strains exist in the field. They can be cloned and passaged in suitable hosts in the laboratory, but characterising the differences between these strains and the way in which they are encoded is a major challenge. Likewise, it is exceptionally challenging to determine how novel TSE isolates emerge – are they always present at low levels but get selected for by changes in human practices? Do pre-existing strains of TSE disease mutate to result in modified strains that propagate in new niches such as particular Prnp genotypes? It is also possible that novel strains of TSE disease have always been present but that increased surveillance is only now beginning to pick up these novel cases. We have been working at the forefront of this challenge for many years and are well positioned to continue to define the interactions between TSE strains, their selection and altered pathogenesis in animals. Through extensive in vivo studies of large and small animals we have shown that some TSE agents can be readily modified/mutated on passage through new hosts whilst others appear more stable in a variety of hosts. Targeting of pathology is determined by both strain characteristics and host genetics but the detailed mechanisms causing this are not yet established. In this theme, we aim to determine how the characteristics of TSE strains are encoded, how they are manifest and how they can interconvert in suitable hosts leading to novel isolates displaying different peripheral pathogenesis in animals and with potentially novel host ranges.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
- University of Edinburgh (Lead Research Organisation)
- Central Veterinary Institute (Collaboration)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (Collaboration)
- VETERINARY LABORATORIES AGENCY (Collaboration)
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Piedmont (Collaboration)
- University of Warwick (Collaboration)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA (Collaboration)
- ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY (Collaboration)
- Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (Collaboration)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) (Collaboration)
- French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA) (Collaboration)
- Ankara University (Collaboration)
- Colorado State University (Collaboration)
Publications
Agarwal S
(2015)
Complex folding and misfolding effects of deer-specific amino acid substitutions in the ß2-a2 loop of murine prion protein.
in Scientific reports
Aguilar-Calvo P
(2015)
Effect of Q211 and K222 PRNP Polymorphic Variants in the Susceptibility of Goats to Oral Infection With Goat Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
in The Journal of infectious diseases
Alibhai J
(2016)
Distribution of Misfolded Prion Protein Seeding Activity Alone Does Not Predict Regions of Neurodegeneration.
in PLoS biology
Angers R
(2014)
Structural effects of PrP polymorphisms on intra- and interspecies prion transmission.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Bakkebø MK
(2015)
The Cellular Prion Protein: A Player in Immunological Quiescence.
in Frontiers in immunology
Barria MA
(2014)
Molecular barriers to zoonotic transmission of prions.
in Emerging infectious diseases
Barron R
(2014)
Prion disease zoonosis: assessing risk associated with new and emerging prion agents.
in CABI Reviews
Barron RM
(2016)
PrP aggregation can be seeded by pre-formed recombinant PrP amyloid fibrils without the replication of infectious prions.
in Acta neuropathologica
| Description | 1. Understanding the factors that control peripheral tropism of prion strains has important implications for safeguarding food security and controlling disease transmission. Peripheral (non-neuronal) tissues are generally considered to be of low risk for transmission of BSE. However, we have established that, whilst some prion strains have significantly less infectivity in the spleen than the brain, in other strains the spleen can contain titres of infectivity as high as brain (doi: 10.1128/JVI.03469-12). We have shown that the age of the host upon peripheral infection can dramatically impact on prion accumulation in lymphoid tissues in mice (doi: 10.1099/vir.0.058958-0) and have demonstrated the potential for sub-clinical prion infections in these aged animals, as well as in mice that were subject to cross species prion infections (doi: 10.1099/vir.0.052738-0) and in a human heterozygous for PRNP genotype who was infected with variant CJD (doi: 10.1093/brain/awt032). Conversely, together with US collaborators we have shown that tissue distribution (and in utero transmission) of chronic wasting disease-infectivity in elk is not affected by PRNP genotype (doi: 10.1099/vir.0.058958-0). 2. To aid estimates of the risk of zoonotic transmission of prion diseases, it is important to characterise endemic and emerging prion strains and related diseases. In archival studies, we found atypical scrapie in a sheep that died in 1972, indicating that this is not a new disease. Atypical scrapie was also found in mixed infections with classical scrapie (doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.000234), and mixed prion infections in sheep is a hypothetical means by which new strains may emerge. We have also recently found that idiopathic brainstem neuronal chromatolysis (IBNC) is a multi-proteinopathy of aged cattle that is geographically spread throughout the UK (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129499). 3. The prion protein (PrP) can misfold to various different isoforms, including fibrils and oligomers, and it is important to assess the properties of these structures to define their role in disease. We showed that a specific prion strain was capable of initiating deposition of amyloid fibrils in the brains of indicator mice without the development of prion-like pathology (doi: 10.1128/JVI.00673-13) a result that was reproduced by inoculation of laboratory-prepared protein fibrils (doi: 10.1007/s00401-016-1594-5). In addition, we demonstrated that the presence of misfolded protein in specific regions of the brain does not always correlate with neurodegeneration (doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002579). We have demonstrated that a soluble, high molecular weight, oligomeric form of PrP is significantly more neurotoxic than lower molecular weight oligomers, monomers or amyloid fibrils. Crucially, we have recently generated a large range of novel antibodies that are helping in characterising prion protein isoforms (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091143). 4. We have shown that prion strain-specific misfolding of PrP can be altered by the presence or absence of post translational modifications such as glycosylation (doi: 10.1038/emboj.2013.6) and have identified other modifications that might impact on PrP misfolding, including lysine hydroxylation (doi: 10.1016/j.ijms.2012.08.015) and a specific truncation event that occurs to different extents depending on PRNP genotype (doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.02.020). 5. Misfolded proteins such as PrP, tau and A-beta share similar mechanisms and interact or 'cross-talk' at a molecular and pathological level. This knowledge may lead to identification of therapeutic strategies or targets. We have shown the formation of tau is not linked to deposition of misfolded PrP, but suggest that the interaction between replication of infectivity and host factors regulate the formation of tau and may contribute to the heterogeneous phenotype of prion diseases (doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2017). We have provided further understanding to the soluble oligomeric amyloid-ß-Aßo-binding cellular prion protein (PrPC) signalling pathway in a familial form of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by implicating PrPC as a potential therapeutic target for AD in the symptomatic stages of disease (doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0722-17.2017)This and additional studies demonstrated that PrPC does not impact on A-beta production but is a target for certain disease modifying phenotypes (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159119). 6. Genetic variation in hosts i.e. Prnp genotype, can impact on host susceptibility and pathogenesis both within and between species. We provide evidence that specific polymorphisms in goats can have a protective effect against infection with BSE (doi: 10.1186/s13567-017-0455-0) and that there is a relationship between PRNP polymorphisms and susceptibility to scrapie in goats (Migliore et al., 2017). In addition, we showed that increased production of a natural PrP alpha-cleavage fragment, C1, is associated with disease resistance and contributes to a dominant negative effect of the ovine ARR polymorphism in disease susceptibility (doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.02.020) In vitro work in human stem cell -derived astrocytes provides further evidence of human prion replication in genotype-dependent manner but more crucially has provided a new in vitro system for determining mechanisms of disease (doi: 10.1084/jem.20161547). 7. A central hypothesis in protein misfolding is that the misfolded accumulation, spread and distribution are restricted to specific neuronal populations of the CNS, and can predict neurodegeneration. We demonstrated that that PrP seeds could be found through the brain regardless of whether neurodegeneration was present. Furthermore we showed that accumulation of misfolded protein can only define targeting of neurodegeneration when accompanied by a specific innate immune response, microglial in origin (doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002579). This built upon an earlier study of isolated microglia in prion disease which revealed a disease specific, highly pro-inflammatory signature and supported the high contribution of microglia to a chronic neurodegenerative disease process (doi: 10.1128/JVI.02613-15) |
| Exploitation Route | Our understanding of the genetics behind small ruminate prion diseases will enable breeding schemes to be put into place to reduce the spread of scrapie and protect against BSE infection. Our pathogenesis studies using prion models have identified potential therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease and provides information which can be used to develop risk assessments and risk reduction measures in human prion diseases. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Healthcare |
| Description | This programme of research has brought together scientists with expertise in large and small animal models, in vitro techniques, genetics and pathology in order to elucidate molecular aspects of prion strain identity and mutation and identify specific molecular and genetic interactions. It has allowed the retention of established prion scientists and the training of young career track fellows in an area of science which although niche has not only practical elements but a translational impact in other protein misfolding diseases affecting humans. Understanding how new strains of prion disease emerge and mutate and identification of novel animal strains of disease is challenging however this knowledge is essential in disease surveillance and in identifying therapeutic targets for disease. Our work has focused primarily on large animals in farmed settings and the use of mouse models of disease. We have made significant advances in understanding the genetics behind susceptibility to ovine and caprine prion diseases which will enable breeding schemes to be put in place to reduce the spread of scrapie and protect against the risk of BSE infection. Pathogenesis and transmission studies have enabled us to start deciphering the molecular pathways shared between the prion protein, PrP, and other misfolded proteins such as tau and A-beta which contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Studies in this area have not only provided data on prion disease pathogenesis but have had the added benefit of identifying potential therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease. Pathogenesis studies have also enabled us to identify differences in infectivity and titre in different tissues. This has two important consequences; 1) identification of potential sources of infection for zoonotic infections through consumption/use of animal products (i.e. in BSE, CWD), 2) understanding the transmission risks of animal and human prion diseases, including the risk from individuals with sub-clinical infections. The studies in this area have led to substantial uplift funding by Department of Health in order to further understand the nature of subclinical vCJD infection in the UK population. By investigating the influence of different factors on the spread of disease in the body and onset of clinical symptoms we can use the information to further develop risk assessments and risk reduction measures. We can also use the information to develop treatments as at present there are no treatments or cures for vCJD. |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | Risk assessment for vCJD transmission |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/186959/risk_assessment_Feb... |
| Description | BBSRC US partnering award |
| Amount | £36,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/K021257/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2013 |
| End | 05/2017 |
| Description | Chronic wasting disease in UK |
| Amount | £24,563 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | SE2023 |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2017 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Description | Department of Health |
| Amount | £2,067,455 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 007/0195 |
| Organisation | Government of Catalonia |
| Department | Department of Health |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Spain |
| Start | 07/2011 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | General Scheme - Abigail Diack - A comparative platform for strain typing CWD |
| Amount | £131,947 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | RES0036432-S001 |
| Organisation | Alberta Prion Research Institute |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | Canada |
| Start | 06/2017 |
| End | 06/2020 |
| Description | How do resistant ovine pmp genotypes become susceptible genotypes |
| Amount | £135,623 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | SE1445 |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2012 |
| End | 06/2015 |
| Description | Policy Research Programme - Abigail Diack for RI - Consortium Funding - Assessing and defining pre-clinical vCJD infectivity using transmission and protein aggregation models |
| Amount | £1,553,441 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | PR-R17-0916-23001 |
| Organisation | Department of Health (DH) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2017 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | Policy Research Programme Department of Health |
| Amount | £1,130,627 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | PR-ST-1214-10003 |
| Organisation | Government of Catalonia |
| Department | Department of Health |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Spain |
| Start | 03/2015 |
| End | 02/2019 |
| Description | Principals career development scholarship |
| Amount | £75,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2017 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Research funding |
| Amount | £24,563 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | SE2023 |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2017 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Description | Research funding |
| Amount | £26,782 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Deer Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2017 |
| End | 06/2018 |
| Description | Study of effects of helminth infection on prion disease pathogenesis |
| Amount | £70,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | National Council on Science and Technology (CONACYT) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Mexico |
| Start | 11/2014 |
| End | 10/2017 |
| Description | Study of the role of macrophages in prion disease pathogenesis |
| Amount | £3,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | GR002413 |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2016 |
| End | 12/2017 |
| Description | The Wellcome Trust Clinical Veterinary Research Training Programme |
| Amount | £2,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Department | Wellcome Trust Bloomsbury Centre |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2013 |
| End | 08/2013 |
| Description | The evolution of TSE strains in mixed infections |
| Amount | £420,414 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2013 |
| End | 09/2016 |
| Description | Towards breeding of goats for genetically determined TSE resistance |
| Amount | £208,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | SE2018 |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2012 |
| End | 03/2016 |
| Description | Variation to Contract - Project extension |
| Amount | £367,140 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 007/0162 |
| Organisation | Government of Catalonia |
| Department | Department of Health |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Spain |
| Start | 01/2017 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | Variation to contract - subclinical infection |
| Amount | £176,124 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Government of Catalonia |
| Department | Department of Health |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Spain |
| Start | 11/2015 |
| End | 03/2016 |
| Description | Characterization of PrP-specific monoclonal antibodies |
| Organisation | Central Veterinary Institute |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We contributed monoclonal antibodies raised against the sheep PrP protein to various studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners assisted in the characaterization of the antibodies, particularly epitope mapping. |
| Impact | Publications: doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091143 |
| Description | EM Analysis of plaque seeding |
| Organisation | Animal and Plant Health Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Providing material for analysis by electron microscopy |
| Collaborator Contribution | Performed electron microscopic analysis of tissue from our mouse models. |
| Impact | Jeffrey M, McGovern G, Chambers EV, King D, Gonzalez L, Manson JC, Ghetti B, Piccardo P and Barron RM (2012). Mechanism of PrP amyloid formation in mice without transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. Brain Pathology 22:58-66 Jeffrey M, McGovern G, Barron R, Baumann F (2015). Membrane pathology and microglial activation of mice expressing membrane anchored or membrane released forms of Aß and mutated human APP: a comparison with prion disease. Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 41:458-470. Barron RM, King D, Jeffrey M, McGovern G, Agarwal S, Gill AC and Piccardo P (2016). PrP aggregation can be seeded by pre-formed recombinant PrP amyloid fibrils without the replication of infectious prions. Acta Neuropathologica 132:611-624 DOI 10.1007/s00401-016-1594-5 |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Genetic association with TSE disease in sheep and goats |
| Organisation | Veterinary Laboratories Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We provided the genetic analysis of their experimental sheep and goat TSE studies. Regular meetings were held and study design and interpretation of data were shared. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of samples, discussion of study design and manuscript preparation. |
| Impact | González, L., Dagleish, M. P., Martin, S., Finlayson, J., Sisó, S., Eaton, S. L., Goldmann W., Witz, J., Hamilton, S., Stewart, P., Pang, Y., Steele, P., Reid, H. W., Chianini F., Jeffrey, M. (2012) Factors influencing temporal variation of scrapie incidence within a closed Suffolk sheep flock. J Gen Virol 93, 203-211. Gonzalez, L., Jeffrey, M., Dagleish, M.P., Goldmann, W., Siso, S., Eaton, S. L., Martin, S., Finlayson, J., Stewart, P., Steele, P., Pang, Y., Hamilton, S., Reid, H.W., Chianini, F. (2012) Susceptibility to scrapie and disease phenotype in sheep: cross-Prnp genotype experimental transmissions with natural sources. Vet Res. 43(1):55 Sisó, S., Chianini, F., Eaton, S.L., Witz, J., Hamilton, S., Martin, S., Finlayson, J., Pang, Y., Stewart, P., Steele, P., Dagleish, M.P., Goldmann, W., Reid, H.W., Jeffrey, M., González, L. (2012). Disease phenotype in sheep after infection with cloned murine scrapie strains. Prion 6(2):174-183 Dagleish, M.P., Martin, S., Steele, P., Finlayson, J., Eaton, S. L., Sisó, S., Stewart, P., Hamilton, S., Pang, Y., Chianini, F., Reid, H. W., Goldmann, W., González, L., Castilla, J., Jeffrey, M. (2015) Susceptibility of European red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus) to alimentary challenge with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. PLOS ONE 10(1):e0116094 Houston, H., Goldmann, W., Foster, J., Gonzalez, L., Jeffrey, M., Hunter, N. (2015) Comparative susceptibility of sheep of different origins, breeds and PRNP genotypes to challenge with bovine spongiform encephalopathy and scrapie. PLoS ONE 10(11): e0143251 |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Genetic diversity in Turkish sheep and goats |
| Organisation | Ankara University |
| Country | Turkey |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | My group has an advisory role and supports the data interpretation and manuscript preparation. We check the quality of data and provide control material |
| Collaborator Contribution | They conduct sampling of DNA from animals, sequencing and genotypes. We are in contact regarding new projects and student exchange. |
| Impact | Meydan, H., Pehlivan, E., Özkan, M., Yildiz, M.A., Goldmann, W. Prion Protein Gene Polymorphisms in Turkish Native Goat Breeds. Journal of Genetics IN PRESS (accepted 2016) Meydan, H., Özkan, M.M., Yildiz, M. A., Goldmann, W. (2013) Novel Polymorphisms in Ovine Prion Protein Gene. Animal Genetics 44: 588-591 |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Prion disease susceptibility in carnivores and deer |
| Organisation | Colorado State University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with the groups of Drs Hoover and Mathiason at the University and Dr Miller at Division of Parks and Wildlife. My group has contributed genetic analysis of the prion gene from their experimental deer, which is crucial for their experimental set up and we provided the interpretation of the data in the context of genetic association with prion disease. With Dr Miller we have investigated the genetics of carnivores that are exposed to chronic wasting disease, a prion disease of wild deer in Colorado. We sequenced over a hundred samples from bear and mountain lion to establish genetic diversity. We contributed to their manuscript preparation. I visited the Colorado facilities and presented a seminar. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Both groups in Colorado have provided samples for the analysis and background information regarding the animals collected . They have contributed to the interpretation of results and contributed to the manuscript preparation. Members of the group visited the Roslin Institute for presentations and discussion of the ongoing studies |
| Impact | Stewart, P., Campbell, L., Skogtvedt, S., Griffin, K., Arnemo, J., Tryland, M., Miller, M.W., Tranulis, M.A., Goldmann, W. (2012) Genetic predictions of prion disease susceptibility in carnivore species based on variability of the prion gene coding region. PLoS ONE 7(12):e50623 Selariu A, Powers JG, Wild MA, Brandhuber M, Mayfield A, Fullaway S, Nalls A, Goldmann W, Wyckoff AC, Zabel M, Hoover EA, Mathiason CK. (2015) In utero transmission and tissue distribution of chronic wasting disease-associated prions in free-ranging Rocky Mountain elk. J Gen Virol 96, 3444-3455 Nalls, A., McNulty, E., Powers, J., Seelig, D., Hoover, C., Haley, N., Hayes-Klug, J., Anderson, K., Stewart, P., Goldmann, W., Hoover, E., Mathiason, C. (2013) Mother to Offspring Transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease in Reeves' Muntjac Deer. PLoS One 8, 8 e71844 |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Prion disease susceptibility in carnivores and prion protein processing |
| Organisation | Norwegian School of Veterinary Science |
| Country | Norway |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We initiated both studies and planned the experiments. The study was driven by the current epidemic of chronic wasting disease in the USA and tried to answer the question what consequences this epidemic may have on wild species. We also wanted to show how prion protein processing does influence the outcome of prion disease. The collaboration was strengthened by several meeting on both sides of the groups and presentation of research seminars to the respective Institutes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The group headed by Prof Michael Tranulis has provided material from several mammalian species fro this project. They were actively involved in the planning of experiments and recruited further research teams from Norway into the project, which gave us unique access to wild mammals, particularly aquatic species. They provided sheep samples and protein analysis results that were compared to our UK results to strengthen the outcome of the study.They provided control antibodies and performed Western blots in parallel to my group. |
| Impact | Stewart, P., Campbell, L., Skogtvedt, S., Griffin, K., Arnemo, J., Tryland, M., Miller, M.W., Tranulis, M.A., Goldmann, W. (2012) Genetic predictions of prion disease susceptibility in carnivore species based on variability of the prion gene coding region. PLoS ONE 7(12):e50623 Campbell, L., Gill, A. C., McGovern, G., Hopkins, J., Jalland, C.M.O., Tranulis, M.A., Hunter, N., Goldmann, W. (2013) The PrPC C1 fragment derived from the ovine A136R171 PRNP allele is highly abundant in sheep brain and inhibits fibrillisation of full-length PrPC protein in vitro. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta Molecular Basis of Disease (BBAdis) 1832: 826-836 Bakkebø, M.K., Mouillet-Richard, S., Espenes, A., Goldmann, W., Tatzelt, J., Tranulis M.A. (2015) The prion protein: a player in immunological quiescence? Frontiers in Immunology 6, 450 doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00450 |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | QuIC analysis of low PrPSc mouse models |
| Organisation | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) |
| Department | Rocky Mountain Laboratories |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Provision of brain tissue from an unique mouse model of TSE disease |
| Collaborator Contribution | Performed QuIC analysis of material from our mouse model |
| Impact | Vascellari S, Orrù CD, Hughson AG, King D, Barron RM, Wilham JM, Baron GS, Race B, Pani A and Caughey B (2012). Prion seeding activities of mouse scrapie strains with divergent PrPSc protease sensitivities and amyloid plaque content using RT-QuIC and eQuIC. PLoS One 7:e48969 |
| Description | Seeding protein aggregation in mice |
| Organisation | Colorado State University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Analysis of amyloid plaque seeding in mouse brain |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of mice and tissue from animals overexpressing 101L PrP |
| Impact | Piccardo P, King D, Telling G, Manson JC and Barron RM (2013). Dissociation of prion protein amyloid seeding from transmission of a spongiform encephalopathy. J Virol. 87:12349-12356 doi: 10.1128/JVI.00673-13 |
| Description | Structural analysis of prion proteins |
| Organisation | University of Warwick |
| Department | School of Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Analysis of prion proteins |
| Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of prion proteins and lipids |
| Impact | Several publications and grant applications |
| Description | Study of effect of S1PR1 deficiency on prion disease pathogenesis |
| Organisation | National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) |
| Department | Genetics of Development and Disease Branch |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We provided the prion disease pathogenesis model. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Prof. Richard Proia provided CD19cre S1PR1flox/flox mice. In these mice S1pr1 expression is conditionally ablated only in Cre recombinase-expressing cells (B cells). |
| Impact | Joint publication in the Journal of Immunology: J Immunol 2012; 188:5032-5040; doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200349 |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Zoonotic transmission of prions |
| Organisation | Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Piedmont |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Performed prion transmission studies into human PrP and bovine PrP transgenic mice using bovine brain infected with BASE |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided the BASE brain tissue |
| Impact | Wilson R, Hart P, Piccardo P, Hunter N, Casalone C, Baron T, and Barron RM (2012). Bovine PrP expression levels in transgenic mice influence transmission characteristics of atypical BSE. Journal of General Virology 93:1132-1140 Wilson R, Plinston C, Hunter N, Casalone C, Corona C, Tagliavini F, Suardi S, Ruggerone M, Moda F, Graziano S, Sbriccoli M, Cardone F, Pocchiari M, Ingrosso L, Baron T, Richt J, Andreoletti O, Simmons M, Lockey R, Manson JC, and Barron RM (2012). Chronic wasting disease and atypical forms of BSE and scrapie are not transmissible to mice expressing wild-type levels of human PrP. Journal of General Virology 93:1624-1629 |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Zoonotic trasnmission of prions |
| Organisation | French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Performed transmission experiments to human PrP and bovine PrP transgenic mice using H-BSE infected brain tissue |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided the H-BSE infected brain tissue |
| Impact | Wilson R, Hart P, Piccardo P, Hunter N, Casalone C, Baron T, and Barron RM (2012). Bovine PrP expression levels in transgenic mice influence transmission characteristics of atypical BSE. Journal of General Virology 93:1132-1140 Wilson R, Plinston C, Hunter N, Casalone C, Corona C, Tagliavini F, Suardi S, Ruggerone M, Moda F, Graziano S, Sbriccoli M, Cardone F, Pocchiari M, Ingrosso L, Baron T, Richt J, Andreoletti O, Simmons M, Lockey R, Manson JC, and Barron RM (2012). Chronic wasting disease and atypical forms of BSE and scrapie are not transmissible to mice expressing wild-type levels of human PrP. Journal of General Virology 93:1624-1629 |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Zoonotic trasnmission of prions |
| Organisation | U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA |
| Department | National Animal Disease Center |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Performed transmission studies in human PrP and bovine PrP transgenic mice using Chronic Wasting Disease infected brain tissue |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided the Chronic Wasting Disease infected brain tissue |
| Impact | Wilson R, Plinston C, Hunter N, Casalone C, Corona C, Tagliavini F, Suardi S, Ruggerone M, Moda F, Graziano S, Sbriccoli M, Cardone F, Pocchiari M, Ingrosso L, Baron T, Richt J, Andreoletti O, Simmons M, Lockey R, Manson JC, and Barron RM (2012). Chronic wasting disease and atypical forms of BSE and scrapie are not transmissible to mice expressing wild-type levels of human PrP. Journal of General Virology 93:1624-1629 |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Title | Commercial release of novel PrP-specific monoclonal antibodies |
| Description | A panel of novel monoclonal antibodies against sheep PrP were generated and characterized. Three of these monoclonal antibodies have been licensed to AbD Serotec/BioRad for commercial sale. |
| IP Reference | |
| Protection | Protection not required |
| Year Protection Granted | 2016 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | Publication: doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091143 |
| Description | 2014 Neuroleadership Institute speaker Scottish Local Interest Group Expert Scientist. The neurobiology of love. I wrote, led and delivered the workshop. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 2014 Neuroleadership Institute speaker Scottish Local Interest Group Expert Scientist. The neurobiology of love. I wrote, led and delivered the workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Aurora Academic mentor (Inspiring leadership in women, Leadership foundation for higher education |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Aurora Academic mentor (Inspiring leadership in women, Leadership foundation for higher education. Coaching and mentor |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |
| Description | BBC Expert Women |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC Expert Women; Field Biologist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vx8FJg3VXo |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | BBC Radio Scotland Brain Waves |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC Radio Scotland Brain Waves Interviewed as Expert Scientist on the neurobiology of love an attachment for a Valentines special. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | BBSRC Pool of Experts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | BBSRC media: What it's like to be a BBSRC committee member https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zidU5cl--lo |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | BNA Streetfair |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | British Neuroscience Association Streetfair, held at the Barbican Centre in London alongside the annual BNA symposium. Activity to communicate work we do on TSE disease, protein misfolding and neurodegeneration to the public |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Big Bang, Schools science competition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I was a judge moderator for Big Bang, a schools competition for science projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013 |
| Description | Brain infection study reveals how disease spreads from gut |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Press release describing our study published in the Journal of Virology: http://jvi.asm.org/content/89/18/9532.long |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2015/prions-040815 |
| Description | Cambo Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Science Festival at Cambo in Fife. Roslin hosted an activity based around the animal brain and brain diseases. Event aimed at school children, with engaging hands-on activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Careers Event for S2 secondfary pupils |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Opportunity for S2 pupils to interact with people working in STEM related jobs. Each group given 3 minutes to question each different STEM Ambassador about how they use science in their work. Aim to interest pupils in science before selecting their subjects for 3rd year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Careers Event for Schoolchildren |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Opportunity for S2 pupils to interact with people working in STEM related jobs. Each group given 3 minutes to question each different STEM Ambassador about how they use science in their work. Aim to interest pupils in science before selecting their subjects for 3rd year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Careers event for S4 secondary pupils |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Careers workshop for S4 pupils. Approx 50 pupils attended and had discussions and questions over biological science careers. The school gave an update to say that pupils were interested and requested information on work experience/placement programs as a result. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2017 |
| Description | Careers event for S4 secondary pupils |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Opportunity for S4 pupils to interact with professionals across a range of areas including STEM. Aim was to give pupils information on careers in biological research prior to choosing final year subjects and University degrees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |
| Description | Chromatography demo |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Demonstrated chromatography to a group of final year students from a local school |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Designed and delivered Neurobehaviour training day workshop for East Bio DTP Students. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Designed and delivered Neurobehaviour training day workshop for East Bio DTP Students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Dunbar Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We ran a 'What's in our brain' activity which was targeted at school children, and consisted of an introduction to the basic anatomy and functions of different regions of the brain, and also the differences and similarities of the brains of different animal species, as well as a neuroeconomics game about human decision making. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Edinburgh University student Zoological Society Guest lecturer |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Edinburgh University student Zoological Society Guest lecturer. Talked about my research "Breeding Birds: Adaptations to reproducing in an unpredictable environment" and women in STEM. Lots of good discussion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Expert Women's Day Scotland. BBC Scotland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Expert Women's Day Scotland. BBC Scotland Glasgow. Selected from over 500 applications for media training. The aim of the day was to give an introduction to the world of the media, the opportunity to meet some industry professionals as well as getting some hands on training, both on air and on screen. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Expert Women's Day Scotland. BBC Scotland Glasgow. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Expert Women's Day Scotland. BBC Scotland Glasgow. August 2013. Selected from over 500 applications for media training. The aim of the day was to give an introduction to the world of the media, the opportunity to meet some industry professionals as well as getting some hands on training, both on air and on screen. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Farm detectives |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Pupils attended for a school visit to carry out hands-on science workshops. This led to questions and awareness of what jobs are available in science and what they entail |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | GetPROTECTED workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | This Edinburgh Neuroscience workshop focuses on the structure and function of the brain and why it is important that you protect your brain from damage. It looks at head protection in the context of cycling and sport. Targeted at primary school children (aged 9-11). 6 workshops have run so far (average class size of 25 pupils per class) at different schools in Edinburgh and Midlothian. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| URL | http://www.edinburghneuroscience.ed.ac.uk/node/2151 |
| Description | Gut cells are gatekeepers of infectious brain diseases, study finds |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Press release via the media describing our recent research published in PLoS Pathogens |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/news/health/2016/161214-pr-gut-cells-gatekeepers-of-infectious-brain-diseases... |
| Description | Highland Show, Ingliston. Scotland's biggest agricultural show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presenting posters of research and games to interest youngsters. Answering resulting questions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Hosted female pupil to gain hands on 1 week work experience 'researcher shadowing' in my lab |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | hosted female pupil to gain hands on 1 week work experience 'researcher shadowing' in my lab and visit sparked pupil to successfully apply to study neuroscience at Glasgow university |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Informa Biopharmaceutical Raw Materials Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Talk about risks of TSE infection in biological produces and processes |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Interconnect Student Network is a networking organisation for women in STEM |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Promoting the advancement of women in STEM subjects by championing engagement with Athena SWAN-related activities: Invited speaker, Interconnect March 2014 - Student Network is a networking organisation for women studying science, engineering, technology (SET) and the built environment in Scotland. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Interview with the Scientist Magazine - All is not quiet on the Western front |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Article can be found here: http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/42826/title/All-Is-Not-Quiet-on-the-Western-Front/ This was in response to the loading control methodology we published for normalisation in Eaton et al. PLoS One and Eaton et al. JoVE |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/42826/title/All-Is-Not-Quiet-on-the-Western-Fr... |
| Description | Keeping bugs at Bay: a Public Engagement Activity at the Roslin Institute 2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This activity aims to teach people how the immune system fights bugs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Keeping bugs at Bay: a Public Engagement Activity at the Royal Highland Show 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This activity aims to teach people how the immune system fights bugs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Kickstart University of Edinburgh Widening Participation Summer School Neuroscience workshop. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Kickstart University of Edinburgh Widening Participation Summer School 2016 Neuroscience workshop. I wrote, led and delivered the workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |
| Description | Midlothian Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Midlothian Science festival aims to inspire and engage visitors in science and discovery, showcase current local science, cultivate curiosity, inspire local children to embark on scientific careers. Our group were involved in hosting an exhibit which was displayed at different high schools and libraries. We ran a 'What's in our brain' activity which was targeted at school children, and consisted of an introduction to the basic anatomy and functions of different regions of the brain, and also the differences and similarities of the brains of different animal species, as well as a neuroeconomics game about human decision making. The same activity was also included as part of the Easter Bush Doors open day. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
| Description | Midlothian Science festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Science festival to highlight research at the roslin Institute and encourage questions relating to research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
| Description | Midlothian open doors day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Highlights research at the Institute to the general public including school children |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017 |
| Description | Neuroinflammation Keystone Symposium (New Mexico) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentations and discussion at international conference enabled wider recognition of our work and has resulted in new collaborations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | North for Science! The biology of birds breeding in the Arctic workshop for school pupils |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A workshop for north American school pupils (14 to 16 year olds) on the breeding biology of birds in the Arctic. Promote STEM |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Participation at Royal Highland Show Edinburgh |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of the TSE research activity of the Roslin Institute/Neurobiology Division. Demonstration of simple experiments to children and adults to elucidate the impact of TSE disease in livestock and human health. Answered general questions regarding Roslin research and scientific careers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2016 |
| Description | Press Interview on Americal BASE case for Science News (online article) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Press interview with Science News on recent identification of a case of atypical BSE in the USA |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Prion 2016 chair and invited speaker |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | invited talk to international meeting |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Protein sheds insight into spread of vCJD to the brain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Press release describing our study published in PLoS Pathogens: http://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1002402 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-15988283 |
| Description | Provided expert opinion for Science magazine (Finland) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was a consultant for a science journalist writing for the top science magazine in Finland (readership >325,000). I provided expert opinion in the "Readers' questions, experts answer" - section of Tiede (Science) magazine about how and when the brain knows a women is pregnant. The article was published in April 2016. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Roslin Institute Open Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Each year we run an activity designed to engage the public and introduce them to the work we do on TSE diseases, protein misfolding and neurodegeneration |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
| Description | Roslin Institute public open day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Science games for children. Questions from well informed children and more questions from their parents. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015 |
| Description | Roslin Open Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Institute Open Day to engage general public in our projects and broader research activities in the Institute. Visitors reported interest in learning about our work and why animals are necessary for some aspects of mediacl research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |
| Description | Roslin Open Days (Midlothian Science Festival) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of "Beastly Brain" exhibit, with games, activities and displays to demonstrate how proteins can misfold to cause brain diseases, such as Creutzfeld-Jakob disease and Alzhemier's Disease, and stimulate interest in neuroscience generally. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
| Description | Routes into Employment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Opportunity for S2 pupils to interact with people working in STEM related jobs. Each group given 3 minutes to question each different STEM Ambassador about how they use science in their work. Aim to interest pupils in science before selecting their subjects for 3rd year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Royal Highland Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Roslin Institute event at the Royal Highland Show. Activities designed to raise awareness of the research performed at Roslin and its impact with the general public, farmers, vets, industry etc.. 3 day event supported by several staff members. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Royal Highland Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Roslin Institute event at the Royal Highland Show. Activities designed to raise awareness of the research performed at Roslin and its impact with the general public, farmers, vets, industry etc.. 3 day event supported by several staff members. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | School visit to the institute Neurobiology workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | School visit to the institute. neurobiology workshop.Discussed careers in science and going to University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Science Insights - Dryden Farm visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 40 secondary school students from 25 schools across the local region visited Dryden Farm (Roslin Institute's farm animal research facility) as part of Science Insights, a week-long programme of talks, tours, and research taster sessions hosted by University of Edinburgh. The visit focussed on the use of animals in research, and I hosted a visit and short presentation/Q&A session on the Roslin Scrapie Flock. Feedback from the students was very positive, and demonstrated that many of them had really engaged with the ethical issues of using animals in experiments. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Science Insights Researcher Shadowing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Science Insights is an annual work experience programme (launched in 2014) designed to give 5th year high school pupils from Edinburgh and the Lothian region (from 25 different schools in 2016) a real insight into the work and life of research scientists. 40 high school pupils spent one week of their summer holidays following a varied programme of activities, gaining a real insight into research in biological sciences. Activities with my group involved an introducing participants to brain neuroanatomy, as well as hands-on practical experience of sectioning tissue, basic histology and microscopy. Feedback from the students was extremely positive and they were really engaged .The programme was described as 'interesting, enjoyable, worthwhile, educational, informative, fun, challenging, insightful, fascinating and helpful' by the participants. Several of the participants expressed the programme positively influenced their decision to undertake a science/medical degree at university. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |
| URL | http://www.scienceinsights.ed.ac.uk/ |
| Description | Science Insights Work Experience Programme. Hosted 2 female school pupils for 'researcher shadowing' in my laboratory. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Science Insights Work Experience Programme (Roslin Institute). Hosted 2 female school pupils for 'researcher shadowing' in my laboratory. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Science museum video |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Andrew Gill appeared in a video at the National Science Museum talking about the benefits of being a biochemist |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Scientific Writing Workshop at the Young Microbiologists Symposium, Dundee, 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The journal PLoS Pathogens invited me to host a scientific writing workshop aimed at junior research scientists such as new post-docs or PhD students |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk/other/yms/ |
| Description | Symposium organiser/chair at BNA Festival of Neuroscience |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Organised and chaired a symposium at BNA conference - led to revised opinions on topic under discussion among presenters and audience |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Talk to Haddington U3A |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Gave a talk entitled "transmissible Alzheimers?" to a local branch of the U3A |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Union University Insight to Roslin Research and Public Engagement Activity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Discussion over what science I do and how I got into science, tailored to the students home country (USA) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Video Interview for Science Direct |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Video interview about Quantitative Fluorescent Western Blotting for Protein Analysis in Neurodegenerative Diseases |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.selectscience.net/SelectScience-TV/Videos/Quantitative-Fluorescent-Western-Blotting-for-P... |