Synthetic-interferon mimetics as potential cross-species therapeutics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: MRC Human Genetics Unit
Abstract
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People |
ORCID iD |
| Kathryn Lindsay Ball (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Jack Brydon (Student) |
Publications
Goya ME
(2020)
Probiotic Bacillus subtilis Protects against a-Synuclein Aggregation in C. elegans.
in Cell reports
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/R50614X/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2021 | |||
| 1997779 | Studentship | BB/R50614X/1 | 31/08/2017 | 30/11/2021 | Jack Brydon |
| NE/W503149/1 | 31/03/2021 | 30/03/2022 | |||
| 1997779 | Studentship | NE/W503149/1 | 31/08/2017 | 30/11/2021 | Jack Brydon |
| Description | This work aimed to investigate the full diversity of the human IFN alpha gene family, to explore their potential as cancer therapies. During the work we have seen that the IFN alpha which is used in the clinic, IFNa2, may not be the most effective cancer therapy. We have seen that there are differences in the biological and physical properties of IFN alphas, which are relevant to the use of IFNs as cancer drugs. In particular, we have seen that tumours develop mutations to their IFN signalling mechanisms which play a part in cancer biology. Ongoing work understanding these mutations is needed to fully appreciate their role, however it seems that the IFN signalling axis has a key role in cancer immunotherapy, and in tumour evasion of the immune system. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings of the work so far provide a basis to trial a wider range of IFN alphas in a clinical setting, but there is also much more investigation into IFN biology still to be done. The lack of research into the diversity of IFN alphas needs to be addressed; and the structural and physical aspects of IFN biology which have been probed in this investigation provide a basis for that ongoing research. |
| Sectors | Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | During public engagement events organised by CRUK I have discussed my work with a number of members of the public, as well as discussing cancer research as a wider field. In these conversations I feel that I have been able to communicate some of the general approaches to cancer research and developing therapeutics, as well as the importance of basic biology research to addressing therapeutic issues. Using specific examples of my own research, and research from the IGMM ECRC as a whole, I have been able to describe the realities of scientific research and in this way have hopefully increased people's understanding and appreciation for scientific research. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Description | Doitsidou lab collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Throughout this collaboration, I worked with Maria Doitsidou and her colleague Eugenia Goya on the publication of their paper 'Probiotic Bacillus subtilis Protects against a-Synuclein Aggregation in C. elegans'. This collaboration began as we in the Ball lab have worked on alpha-synuclein and Alzheimers, in the context of the protein Hsc70 C-terminal Interacting Protein (CHIP). As CHIP is a regulator of proteins in the IFN signalling axis, especially IRF1, this project crossed over with some of my work. We provided collaboration on some experiments, specifically including immunoblot analysis of C.elegans samples, as well as editing of the manuscript. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The majority of this paper was completed by Eugenia and Maria and members of the Doitsidou lab, my contribution was in some experimental help and editing of the manuscript. |
| Impact | This collaboration resulted in the publication of Eugenia's paper mentioned above, in Cell Reports earlier this year. Our lab is now establishing a longer-term collaboration with the Doitsidou lab, with one PhD student working between the two labs and using C.elegans as a model, which is new for the Ball group. There will also be another student starting in September, working between the two labs. This is generating multi-disciplinary work to the extent that the Ball lab hasn't previously used C.elegans in our research, and our lab is able to offer well established experimental routes to the Doitsidou lab, such as proteomics. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Edinburgh Science Festival |
| 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 | As part of the Edinburgh Science Festival, CRUK organise public engagement activities based on the research performed at the IGMM ECRC, which is then staged at the National Museum of Scotland. In each year an activity was used to engage audiences with research methods and topics from the IGMM. As well as providing the activity, pamphlets are provided with more details about CRUK's work, and these sparked discussions with members of the public. The specific research areas addressed by the activity sparked wider questions from all audiences, and allowed informative discussions. A lot of people that came to the event had their own questions to ask, and this meant that many people went away with a greater understanding of cancer biology and research, which was often relevant to their own/family experiences of cancer. On one occasion, a clinician asked for information about researchers at the University, looking to set up collaborations. I provided him with contact details for relevant research groups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |