Characterisation of LaNt regulation of Basement Membrane organisation in wound repair and angiogenesis.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease
Abstract
In this work I propose to study the LaNt family of proteins which were recently identified and which I believe are important for processes such as wound repair, blood vessel growth and the spread of tumours. Through these studies, a deeper understanding of these processes will be obtained and this, in turn, may lead to identification of new treatment approaches for conditions such as chronic or slow-healing skin ulcers and cancer.
The different tissues of the body are composed of defined combinations of specialised cell types and a mixture of proteins and sugars outside the cells, termed the extracellular matrix (ECM). Some of the cell types reside in and contribute to the production of this ECM, whereas others cover the outer (epithelia) and inner (endothelia) surfaces of regions of ECM as sheets of cells. Directly beneath these cell sheets, as well as surrounding nerves and muscles, there is an organised region of ECM termed basement membrane (BM). BMs provide the anchorage point for cells and are therefore important for stress resistance and structural integrity. In addition, BMs support the different behavioural requirements of a wide range of cell types at different times, including acting as the road upon which the skin cells migrate to close wounds.
A major component of all BMs is the laminin family of proteins. Laminins assemble into cross shaped molecules that associate with one another to form a network. Formation of this network has been shown to involve a small region at the very end of the short arms of the laminin cross, which is termed a LN domain. The importance of this interaction is exemplified by a number of genetic diseases where specific defects in LN domains impact the laminin network and BM organisation resulting in skin blistering, eye defects, kidney failure or muscular dystrophy. However, despite this knowledge, the ways in which laminin networks form, how network organisation changes during different cellular processes and what drives those changes is yet to be fully understood.
This project will focus on the LaNts which have been demonstrated to play a role in cell attachment and migration and which my preliminary data indicate is likely to be through regulating BM formation. Like the laminins, the LaNt (Laminin N-terminus) also contain a LN domain, this suggests that they can interact directly with laminins and modify the ways in which laminin networks are organised. Importantly, there are also tissue specific differences within the laminin family and these differences are likely to mean that the impact of the LaNts is cell type specific. This may also mean that LaNts play different roles during blood vessel growth or wound repair than during normal tissue function.
In order to characterise the roles of LaNts in BM formation and the impact they have on cell behaviour and tissue function, this project will pursue 3 aims.
In Aim 1, I will use proteins in solution to directly assess the ability of LaNts to interact with laminins and other BM proteins and to determine their impact on network formation.
In Aim 2, I will use skin and corneal epithelial cells and blood vessel endothelial cells to study the impact of changing LaNt protein levels on cell behaviour. Specifically, we will determine if the BM deposited by cells changes in response to increasing or decreasing LaNt levels and we will assess cell movement speeds, how strongly they attach and how rapidly they divide on the different substrates.
In Aim 3, I will use three dimensional models of skin, eye and of blood vessel growth to study LaNt roles in these more complex tissue models.
Together the data obtained from these studies will dramatically expand what is known about LaNts, about laminin network formation, about BM organisation and ultimately about wound repair, blood vessel growth and tumour progression. In the longer term, this may lead to identification of new treatment strategies or new drug targets.
The different tissues of the body are composed of defined combinations of specialised cell types and a mixture of proteins and sugars outside the cells, termed the extracellular matrix (ECM). Some of the cell types reside in and contribute to the production of this ECM, whereas others cover the outer (epithelia) and inner (endothelia) surfaces of regions of ECM as sheets of cells. Directly beneath these cell sheets, as well as surrounding nerves and muscles, there is an organised region of ECM termed basement membrane (BM). BMs provide the anchorage point for cells and are therefore important for stress resistance and structural integrity. In addition, BMs support the different behavioural requirements of a wide range of cell types at different times, including acting as the road upon which the skin cells migrate to close wounds.
A major component of all BMs is the laminin family of proteins. Laminins assemble into cross shaped molecules that associate with one another to form a network. Formation of this network has been shown to involve a small region at the very end of the short arms of the laminin cross, which is termed a LN domain. The importance of this interaction is exemplified by a number of genetic diseases where specific defects in LN domains impact the laminin network and BM organisation resulting in skin blistering, eye defects, kidney failure or muscular dystrophy. However, despite this knowledge, the ways in which laminin networks form, how network organisation changes during different cellular processes and what drives those changes is yet to be fully understood.
This project will focus on the LaNts which have been demonstrated to play a role in cell attachment and migration and which my preliminary data indicate is likely to be through regulating BM formation. Like the laminins, the LaNt (Laminin N-terminus) also contain a LN domain, this suggests that they can interact directly with laminins and modify the ways in which laminin networks are organised. Importantly, there are also tissue specific differences within the laminin family and these differences are likely to mean that the impact of the LaNts is cell type specific. This may also mean that LaNts play different roles during blood vessel growth or wound repair than during normal tissue function.
In order to characterise the roles of LaNts in BM formation and the impact they have on cell behaviour and tissue function, this project will pursue 3 aims.
In Aim 1, I will use proteins in solution to directly assess the ability of LaNts to interact with laminins and other BM proteins and to determine their impact on network formation.
In Aim 2, I will use skin and corneal epithelial cells and blood vessel endothelial cells to study the impact of changing LaNt protein levels on cell behaviour. Specifically, we will determine if the BM deposited by cells changes in response to increasing or decreasing LaNt levels and we will assess cell movement speeds, how strongly they attach and how rapidly they divide on the different substrates.
In Aim 3, I will use three dimensional models of skin, eye and of blood vessel growth to study LaNt roles in these more complex tissue models.
Together the data obtained from these studies will dramatically expand what is known about LaNts, about laminin network formation, about BM organisation and ultimately about wound repair, blood vessel growth and tumour progression. In the longer term, this may lead to identification of new treatment strategies or new drug targets.
Technical Summary
The LaNts are a recently identified family of ECM proteins which preliminary studies have demonstrated to be important for cell-matrix attachment and cell migration. Based on their conserved domain architecture, the LaNts are hypothesised to elicit these effects through binding to laminins in the ECM and modulating their assembly into higher-order networks. In turn, these LaNt mediated changes in matrix organisation are predicted to directly influence cell behaviour supported by those substrates.
To test these hypotheses, and to tease out the contribution of different aspects of LaNt biology to these processes, this proposal will use a combination of purified protein studies, cultured cells and finally three dimensional model systems to investigate LaNt roles in BM formation and organisation. Initially biochemical analyses will be used to identify and characterise LaNt - laminin interactions as well as LaNt interactions with other ECM proteins, and to determine the impact of LaNts upon laminin polymer formation. In the second part, epithelial and endothelial cells in culture will be used to analyse LaNt modulated matrix changes and to determine their impact on cellular functions such as proliferation, attachment and migration. Further mechanistic insight will be garnered through analysis of adhesion complex assembly, dynamics and ability to generate forces. Finally, tissue equivalent model systems of skin, cornea, limbal outgrowth and angiogenesis will be used to assess LaNt roles in more complex but also more physiologically relevant settings.
The results garnered from these studies are likely to have widespread implications in expanding the understanding of processes associated with human biology and disease progression, for example the regulation of wound repair, tumour invasion and metastasis, in tissue morphogenesis and for processes involved in angiogenesis.
To test these hypotheses, and to tease out the contribution of different aspects of LaNt biology to these processes, this proposal will use a combination of purified protein studies, cultured cells and finally three dimensional model systems to investigate LaNt roles in BM formation and organisation. Initially biochemical analyses will be used to identify and characterise LaNt - laminin interactions as well as LaNt interactions with other ECM proteins, and to determine the impact of LaNts upon laminin polymer formation. In the second part, epithelial and endothelial cells in culture will be used to analyse LaNt modulated matrix changes and to determine their impact on cellular functions such as proliferation, attachment and migration. Further mechanistic insight will be garnered through analysis of adhesion complex assembly, dynamics and ability to generate forces. Finally, tissue equivalent model systems of skin, cornea, limbal outgrowth and angiogenesis will be used to assess LaNt roles in more complex but also more physiologically relevant settings.
The results garnered from these studies are likely to have widespread implications in expanding the understanding of processes associated with human biology and disease progression, for example the regulation of wound repair, tumour invasion and metastasis, in tissue morphogenesis and for processes involved in angiogenesis.
Planned Impact
This research will have impact upon a wide range of academics working across multiple disciplines. These impacts will become available over a period of months or years as the work is disseminated at conferences and in scientific publications. Also the PDRA performing these studies will develop transferrable skills that will benefit employers in the UK public or private sector. Additionally, and particularly as a new investigator, the applicant will himself experience significant impact in supervisory and project management experiences, in developing national and international contacts and collaborations, and in aiding reintegration back into the UK science community after an extended period in the US.
Pharmaceutical industry
Exogenous addition of LaNt proteins, peptides derived from LaNts, small molecule inhibitors, antibodies or shRNAs targeting LaNts may have therapeutic potential. Depending on the data obtained in this proposal they could act directly, for example, to promote reepithelialisation through enhancing BM deposition or, by blocking LaNt function, or to inhibit angiogenesis or tumour invasion. Conversely they could act indirectly, through modulating responses to netrins in tumour progression. Importantly, as LaNts are a relatively minor (in terms of mass) component of undamaged BMs, targeting their function in pathogenesis may have minimal off-target effects compared with targeting more abundant components. These approaches may be appropriate for commercialisation.
Tissue engineering, bioscaffolds
One specific and expanding area with direct potential application for these studies is tissue engineering and generation of bioscaffolds. The fundamental increase in understanding of normal BM formation and function will be of widespread direct benefit to these areas and could be commercially exploited. Providing the appropriate microenvironment for the culture and expansion of desired cell types of specific cellular characteristics could be achieved through coating of the bioengineered scaffold with appropriate laminin/LaNt ratios, or bioactive peptides designed from these proteins, designed to enhance de novo BM deposition. These could be used for in vitro studies, for example to specifically expand stem cells, or for ex vivo expansion of cells in culture for transplantation. The data obtained in this proposal will provide appropriate starting combinations / ratios from which to begin optimising such an approach and therefore this impact will be available in months to years from publication or meeting presentation.
NHS clinicians and the general public
The impact from novel therapeutics or bioengineered tissue improvement, ultimately leading to clinical use, will be felt in a 15-20 year time frame. This will contribute to economic productivity and prosperity by reducing the economic burden of ill health as well as lead to positive societal impact through improved quality of life.
Patient support groups
Although not directly focused on genetic disease, this research will impact specific patient groups with laminin-related disorders for example, junctional epidermolysis bullosa, Pierson syndrome, congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A, cardiomyopathy and glomerular sclerosis, as well as other conditions where changes in laminin expression are associated with disease progression such as chemotherapy induced alopecia or chronic diabetic ulcers. In the case of these patients groups, the knowledge that research is progressing in the specific disease area will have a positive psychological impact ahead of any further downstream clinical applications.
Pharmaceutical industry
Exogenous addition of LaNt proteins, peptides derived from LaNts, small molecule inhibitors, antibodies or shRNAs targeting LaNts may have therapeutic potential. Depending on the data obtained in this proposal they could act directly, for example, to promote reepithelialisation through enhancing BM deposition or, by blocking LaNt function, or to inhibit angiogenesis or tumour invasion. Conversely they could act indirectly, through modulating responses to netrins in tumour progression. Importantly, as LaNts are a relatively minor (in terms of mass) component of undamaged BMs, targeting their function in pathogenesis may have minimal off-target effects compared with targeting more abundant components. These approaches may be appropriate for commercialisation.
Tissue engineering, bioscaffolds
One specific and expanding area with direct potential application for these studies is tissue engineering and generation of bioscaffolds. The fundamental increase in understanding of normal BM formation and function will be of widespread direct benefit to these areas and could be commercially exploited. Providing the appropriate microenvironment for the culture and expansion of desired cell types of specific cellular characteristics could be achieved through coating of the bioengineered scaffold with appropriate laminin/LaNt ratios, or bioactive peptides designed from these proteins, designed to enhance de novo BM deposition. These could be used for in vitro studies, for example to specifically expand stem cells, or for ex vivo expansion of cells in culture for transplantation. The data obtained in this proposal will provide appropriate starting combinations / ratios from which to begin optimising such an approach and therefore this impact will be available in months to years from publication or meeting presentation.
NHS clinicians and the general public
The impact from novel therapeutics or bioengineered tissue improvement, ultimately leading to clinical use, will be felt in a 15-20 year time frame. This will contribute to economic productivity and prosperity by reducing the economic burden of ill health as well as lead to positive societal impact through improved quality of life.
Patient support groups
Although not directly focused on genetic disease, this research will impact specific patient groups with laminin-related disorders for example, junctional epidermolysis bullosa, Pierson syndrome, congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A, cardiomyopathy and glomerular sclerosis, as well as other conditions where changes in laminin expression are associated with disease progression such as chemotherapy induced alopecia or chronic diabetic ulcers. In the case of these patients groups, the knowledge that research is progressing in the specific disease area will have a positive psychological impact ahead of any further downstream clinical applications.
People |
ORCID iD |
Kevin Hamill (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Barrera V
(2018)
Differential Distribution of Laminin N-Terminus a31 Across the Ocular Surface: Implications for Corneal Wound Repair.
in Investigative ophthalmology & visual science
Hamill KJ
(2015)
Alpha actinin-1 regulates cell-matrix adhesion organization in keratinocytes: consequences for skin cell motility.
in The Journal of investigative dermatology
Hopkinson SB
(2014)
Focal Contact and Hemidesmosomal Proteins in Keratinocyte Migration and Wound Repair.
in Advances in wound care
Iorio V
(2015)
Laminins: Roles and Utility in Wound Repair.
in Advances in wound care
Makuloluwa A
(2023)
The conjunctival extracellular matrix, related disorders and development of substrates for conjunctival restoration
in The Ocular Surface
Makuloluwa AK
(2020)
Mass Spectrometry Reveals a-2-HS-Glycoprotein as a Key Early Extracellular Matrix Protein for Conjunctival Cells.
in Investigative ophthalmology & visual science
Makuloluwa AK
(2021)
Biological tissues and components, and synthetic substrates for conjunctival cell transplantation.
in The ocular surface
Morales-Nebreda LI
(2015)
Lung-specific loss of a3 laminin worsens bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
in American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology
Shaw L
(2020)
CRISPR-Cas9-mediated labelling of the C-terminus of human laminin ß1 leads to secretion inhibition.
in BMC research notes
Shaw L
(2021)
Laminin Polymerization and Inherited Disease: Lessons From Genetics.
in Frontiers in genetics
Sugden CJ
(2022)
Laminin N-terminus a31 expression during development is lethal and causes widespread tissue-specific defects in a transgenic mouse model.
in FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Troughton L
(2020)
Laminin N-terminus a31 protein distribution in adult human tissues
Troughton LD
(2020)
Laminin N-terminus a31 protein distribution in adult human tissues.
in PloS one
Troughton LD
(2022)
Laminin N-terminus a31 is upregulated in invasive ductal breast cancer and changes the mode of tumour invasion.
in PloS one
Title | Science photography competition |
Description | public gallery of scientific images as part of institute science photography competition |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | public engagement. |
URL | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/ageing-and-chronic-disease/photo-competition/ |
Description | New discovery related to relatively understudied protein. For the first time we have demonstrated that the LaNt proteins impact the organisation/deposition of laminin proteins. Laminins are key regulators of cell movement and therefore our data implicate the LaNts as modulators of cell migration such as that which occurs in wound repair and tumour metastasis. New discovery; we have established aspects of the mechanisms regulating LaNt behaviour; demonstrating interaction/complex assembly with laminins and physical proximity. New discovery; we have identified key residues involved in regulation of LaNt production/ laminin alternative splicing and identified a new mechanism regulating laminin ratiometric expression changes. Moreover, we have shown that this control is dysregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma potentially explaining a previously reported relationship between decreased laminin alpha3b expression and patient outcome New discovery; we have characterised for the first time expression patterns of the LaNt a31 protein in human and mouse tissues including embryos. We have characterised changes in expression and distribution during wound repair, stem cell activation and with age. Two manuscripts are submitted/in revision - 1 to molecular biology of the cell, 1 to IOVS |
Exploitation Route | potential to modify LaNt levels or function in epidermal wounds to accelerate wound repair. potential to modify Laminin splicing in tumour microenvironments/ageing contexts |
Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | The majority of the work related to this grant is discovery science, relating to fundamental understanding of a newly identified protein, Therefore the project itself is yet to make a measurable impact; however, we have been actively promoting Scientific communication relating to this and other ongoing work. The lab blog, which was started as a pathway to impact for this grant, is now a widely accessed repository of accessible information. Including specific pages related to this project (https://lantsandlaminins.com/about/lants/ https://lantsandlaminins.com/laminins/ https://lantsandlaminins.com/about/taking-control-of-a-cancer-associated-splicing-switch/). The blog has been growing steadily and since 2018 has been receiving around 3000 views per month from >100 different countries. In addition, we have generated educational resources on youtube related to this project (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyNph0UXW5A&t) which has been viewed >10,000 times. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Education,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | BBSRC International Partnering Awards |
Amount | £35,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/P025773/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 06/2021 |
Description | Doctoral Training Program |
Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2017 |
End | 10/2021 |
Description | Project Grant |
Amount | £188,519 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Liverpool |
Department | North West Cancer Research Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2017 |
End | 11/2020 |
Title | CRISPR constructs - LAMA5 and LAMB1 mutations |
Description | CRISPR guide and donor plasmids to genetically engineer cell lines to carry mutations in laminin alpha5 or laminin b1 encoding genes. These mutations correspond to icritical residues within these proteins that are required for laminin to laminin interaction and therefore network assembly. The mutations are equivalent to those described in other laminins in human genetic diseases merosin deficient congenital muscular atropy and Pierson syndrome respectively. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Ongoing. Generation of cell line that makes not network forming laminins allows dynamic analysis of laminin BM assembly, dissection of role of network assembly status in growth factor sequestration, outside-in and inside-out signaling and traction force generation. |
Title | CRISPR tools for Dendra2 tagged laminin generation |
Description | CRISPR guide RNA and donor plasmid to genetically modify cell lines to harbour a fluorescent tag on C-terminus of laminin beta1 gene. Fluorescent tag is photoconvertible Dendra2. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Ability to image in live cells native laminin deposition, turnover and dynamics. Suitable for use in super-resolution experiments. Allows long-term, dynamic analysis of basement membrane assembly. Also potential for use in 3D systems eg for tumour invasion and metastasis assays. Required reagent to progress with imaging experiments |
Title | LAMA3 exon 9 minigene construct |
Description | Minigene construct encoding mCherry, LAMA3 exons 8, 9, 10, 11 + intervening intronic sequence followed by GFP. Useful for screening regulatory regions involved in intron retention and alternative polyadenylation / exon skipping. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Ongoing; first publication in preparation |
Title | Lentiviral construct - LaNt a31 PA mcherry |
Description | lentiviral particles to deliver human lama3ln1 (encoding LaNt a31) with C-terminal photoactivatable mCHerry protein. Allows stable expression of this tagged protein in mammalian cells. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Will allow superresolution imaging of LaNt a31 |
Title | Plasmid- LaNt a31 dendra2 |
Description | plasmid encoding LaNt a31 protein tagged at C terminus with dendra2 photoconvertible fluorescent tag. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | None yet. Required for planned super-resolution experiments |
Title | knockdown lines |
Description | stable knockown lines: Human epidermal keratinocytes and human corneal keratinocytes expressing shRNA targetting LaNt a31 or scrambled shRNA. Cloned |
Type Of Material | Cell line |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | mechanism to study the role of LaNt proteins in skin and corneal cells |
Title | mouse monoclonal antibodies against human LaNt a31 |
Description | novel mouse monoclonal antibodies against human LaNt a31 |
Type Of Material | Antibody |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Ongoing; First study of human LaNt distribution outwith the skin. |
Title | overexpression constructs - LaNts |
Description | Full length LaNt a31 with GFP or mCherry tags in pENTR Full length LaNt a31 with GFP in pAD-CMV and packaged into adenoviral particles Allows transient overexpression of LaNt a31 and live cell analyses in a variety of 2D, 3D and tissue model settings |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | First manuscript describing overexpression of this protein is in preparation for Spring 2016 submission |
Title | rabbit anti-mouse LaNt a31 polyclonal antibodies |
Description | Novel polyclonal rabbit antibodies against mouse LaNt a31 protein |
Type Of Material | Antibody |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Ongoing; first studies of LaNt a31 distribution in mouse tissue. |
Title | rabbit polyclonal anti-laminin alpha3b antibodies |
Description | Novel rabbit polyclonal antibody against laminin alpha3b unique regions. All currently published antibodies are not isoform specific |
Type Of Material | Antibody |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Ongoing. First specific antibody against laminin alpha3b |
Description | HHMI Janelia Imaging Centre |
Organisation | Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
Department | Janelia Research Campus |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Hosting and on-site organisation of a 3 day training workshop. Access to computer suite, lecture theatres etc |
Collaborator Contribution | On-site 3 day training workshop for 30 delegates at University of Liverpool run by director of AIC-Janelia facility Dr Teng Leong Tew. Attendees included University of Liverpool, Manchester and LJMU staff and PhD students as well as industry professionals from Lever. In addition, Leong engaged in a number of one on one experimental design consultancy sessions directly aiding not only my team but also other researchers in the design of their super-resolution and light sheet microscopy experiments. |
Impact | Improved design and analysis of imaging-based experimentation. Design of super-resolution and other high end imaging modality experiments. High level training of next generation of imaging scientists. Applications in preparation to use state of the art facilities at AIC Janelia. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Raphael Reuten - LaNt protein purification |
Organisation | University of Copenhagen |
Country | Denmark |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | LaNt expressing plasmids |
Collaborator Contribution | Purified Lant a31 proteins |
Impact | Purified protein - required for planned experiments involving exogenous addition of protein for imaging experiments |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Short activating RNAs |
Organisation | MiNA Therapeutics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Identification of a new putative target for therapeutic intervention. Testing of short-activating RNAs in culture systems |
Collaborator Contribution | Bioinformatic design and synthesis of short-activating RNAs to activate LAMA3A, LAMA3B and PAX6 transcription |
Impact | None to date |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Meet the Scientists Day, Liverpool World Museum |
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 | Meet the scientist days at the Liverpool World Museum. Various stands and hands on interactive activities run by members of the University of Liverpool staff that attendees to the museum attended. Multiple individual days spread throughout the year. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
URL | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/health-and-life-sciences/meet-the-scientists/ |
Description | Museum events - British Science Week, Meet the Scientists |
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 | Multiple events Ran interactive stands designed to stimulate engagement with science. Included a giant cardiovascular model made from air conditioning ducting, UV-sensitive camera imaging of participants as well as microscopy and slide viewing |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://lantsandlaminins.com/2018/06/23/inspiration-and-fun-at-the-world-museum/ |
Description | School Visit - Live cell imaging demonstrations |
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 | Multiple visits to our research institute of groups of primary school age children and, separately, high school age children. Live demonstrations of microscopy in practice; combination of static histology slide imaging and live imaging of fluorescent protein expressing cells. Accompanied by other activities; eye dissection, cardiovascular modelling and core biology teaching. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
URL | https://lantsandlaminins.com/2018/02/08/inspiring-the-next-generation-of-scientists-with-hands-on-ac... |
Description | Scientific images competition |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Imaging competition run through institute of ageing and chronic disease. Scientific images collated from accross the institute, set of finalists selected for public display in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (1 week art gallery). 1 day manned event where patients and general public could interact with contributors and select their favourite plus use a microscope. Alongside these in person events we ran a online public vote promoted through social media. These events were designed to stimulate discussion and engage with the public through using the stunning visual outputs of our RCUK funded research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/ageing-and-chronic-disease/photo-competition/ |
Description | Vision Arena - Representing Fight For Sight at a conference for opticians / optometrists |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talks and one on one interactions led to lively informed discussion. Multiple direct acknowledgements of unknown information received by participants Local optician branches took collection boxes and leaflet for fight for sight, increasing exposure to the wider public |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.visionarena.co.uk/ |