Past research projects
For more details on the projects below, click on its title.
Tissue engineering of human liver
Professor Brian Thomson & Dr Liqiong Chen
Nottingham University
2007 – 2010 Postdoctoral Fellowship: The application of tissue engineering to develop 3D models of human liver.
Creating knockout tissues
Dr Paul Genever & Dr Gary Spencer
University of York
2007 – 2010 Research Associate: Generation of 3D human tissue structures with targeted gene disruptions.
Breast cancer
Dr Valerie Speirs & Dr Deborah Holliday
University of Leeds
2009 – 2010 One year study: Validation and computer reconstruction of a 3D model of breast cancer
Huntington’s disease
Dr Oliver Bandmann & Dr Heather Mortiboys
University of Sheffield
2009 - 2010 One year pilot study: Skin fibroblasts as a new disease model for Huntington’s disease to replace animals
Premature birth
Dr Rachel Tribe & Professor Michael Taggart
King’s College London and University of Newcastle
2007 – 2010 Research Assistant: Development of a human tissue model for investigating uterine function.
A clearer picture of pain relief
Professor Paul Furlong
Aston University, Birmingham
2007 – 2010 PhD Studentship: Functional neuroimaging and the pharmacokinetics of pain.
Skin cancer
Professor Mike Philpott & Professor Harshad Navsaria
Queen Mary’s School of Medicine & Dentistry
2007 – 2011 Research Assistant: Generation of 3D models of basal cell carcinoma.
Hypersecretion of mucus in asthma
Dr Sarah Herrick, Dr Robin Gore & Dr David Thornton
Manchester University
2008 – 2011 Research Assistant: Development of a 3D human airway model to understand the influence of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions on mucus production in hypersecretory respiratory disease
Advances in human neuroscience
Dr Amanda Ellison
University of Durham
2008 – 2011 Postdoctoral Fellowship: Human brain research with dual-site TMS
Neurofibromatosis
Professor Oliver Hanemann
Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth
2008 – 2011 Research Assistant: Cell culture tests for new NF2 therapies
Bacterial infection in Cystic fibrosis
Dr Craig Winstanley
University of Liverpool
2008 – 2011 Postdoctoral Fellowship: Response of populations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antimicrobial challenge during chronic infections in cystic fibrosis
Multiple sclerosis
Prof D Altmann & Dr S Steinbach
Imperial College London
2007 – 2009 Dr Hadwen Trust Research Technician: Functional analysis of the T cell immune response in multiple sclerosis by gene silencing
Computer models of the heart and womb
Prof A Holden & Dr M Ries
Leeds University
2006 – 2009 Postdoctoral Fellowship: Diffusion tensor imaging in the construction of human virtual tissues: heart and spinal cord
Pneumonia
Dr J Huggett, Prof A Zumla & Dr R Miller
University College London
2006 – 2009 Research Assistant: In vitro culture of Pneumocystis jirovecii
Brain networks
Dr H Johansen-Berg, Dr T Behrens & Prof D Higham
Oxford University
2006 – 2009 Dr Hadwen Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship: Computational approaches to analysing human brain networks and their breakdown in disease
In-Vitro Models of Lung Injury
Dr M J Griffiths & Prof T W Evans
Royal Brompton Hospital
2006 – 2008 Research Technician: The development of complex in vitro models of ventilator-associated lung injury
Asthma
Dr SJ Hirst, Dr VA Snetkov & Prof T Lee
King’s College London
2005 – 2008 Dr Hadwen Trust Research Grant: Pathobiology of airway smooth muscle from asthmatics
Brain tumour invasion
Prof G Pilkington & SA Murray
Portsmouth University
2004 -2007 Dr Hadwen Trust Research Assistant: Production and evaluation of three-dimensional live cell imaging models for the study of novel brain tumour therapies
Kidney failure in sepsis
Prof T Evans
Glasgow University
2004 – 2008 Dr Hadwen Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship: Using a novel three-dimensional cell culture model to investigate sepsis-induced renal failure
Pertussis vaccine testing
Dr D Xing
NIBSC, Potters Bar
2003 – 2007 Dr Hadwen Trust Research Grant: Identification of gene markers for in vitro toxicity control test for pertussis vaccines
Breast cancer in vitro
Prof JL Jones & Dr D Holliday
Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, London
2004 – 2007 Dr Hadwen Trust Research Fellowship: Development of three-dimensional multicellular models of normal and pre-invasive models of breast cancer (DCIS).
Wound healing
Dr P Stephens
Cardiff University
2004 – 2007 Dr Hadwen Trust PhD Research Studentship: Development of a cell-based chronic wound bioassay.
Intestinal infection
Prof Y Mahida & Dr K Solomon
Nottingham University
2004 – 2007 Dr Hadwen Trust Research Fellowship: Establishment of model systems to investigate interactions between human intestinal mucosa and Clostridium difficile and its toxins.
Human drug neurochemistry
Dr G Barnes & Dr S Hall
Aston University
2004 – 2006 Dr Hadwen Trust Research Fellowship: Combining non-invasive techniques MRS and MEG, to find safe new ways to study the effect of drugs on the human brain as an alternative to animal experiments
Pain and analgesics
Prof I Tracey & Prof P Matthews
Oxford University
2002 – 2005 Dr Hadwen Trust Research Fellowship: Understanding pain and its alleviation using fMRI with human subjects
Drug clearance in silico
Prof G Tucker, Dr A Rostami-H & Dr N Proctor
Sheffield University
2002 – 2004: Comparison of allometric scaling and in vitro-in vivo extrapolation to predict human xenobiotic clearance.
TMS and migraine
Dr E Chronicle
Lancaster University
2002 – 2004: Using transcranial magnetic stimulation to discover a potential biobehavioural marker for migraine.
Renal toxicity in vitro
Co-funded with the Irish Health Research Board
Prof M Ryan & Dr T McMorrow
University College, Dublin
2001 – 2004: Novel human renal in vitro co-culture systems for long-term toxicity and mechanistic studies of renal cell dysfunction.
Ageing and immunity
Dr J Lord
Birmingham University
2001 – 2004 Body Shop Foundation Award: The effect of age on neutrophil function and its correction by DHEA and AED steroids.
Kidney failure
Dr A Simmonds & Dr A Marinaki
Guy’s Hospital, London
2000 – 2004: Identification of a candidate uraemic toxin and potentially useful marker of successful renal transplantation.
Synthetic antibodies
Dr C Allender
Cardiff University
2001 – 2003: Developing molecularly imprinted technology to replace animal-derived antibody-based assays.
Mathematical models of ageing
Prof T Kirkwood
Newcastle University
2000 – 2003: Models of genetic and non-genetic factors in human ageing.
Cancer gene therapies
Dr R Mairs & Dr M Boyd
Glasgow University
2000 – 2003: Experimental in vitro investigation of gene therapy enhancement of radiotherapy by altered radioprotection.
Molecular identification of pathogens
Prof H Shah
Public Health Laboratory, London
2000 – 2003: Differentiation of microbial pathogens using surface-associated mass spectral patterns as a potential replacement of serological typing.
NORINA database
Prof A Smith
Norway
2000 – 2003: Support for an extensive online database of humane alternatives to replace the use of animals in education.
Fibrosing lung disease
Dr P Lympany & Dr A Walne
Royal Brompton Hospital, London
1999 – 2003: Genetic predisposition to fibrosing lung disease – an analysis of genetic polymorphisms of pro-inflammatory and pro-cytokines and growth factors in subsets of fibrosing lung disease.
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Prof M Bassendine, Dr D Jones & Dr J Palmer
Newcastle University
1999 – 2002: Intracellular IgA and its interactions with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in biliary epithelial cells in primary biliary cirrhosis – in vitro and patient studies.
Meningitis in vitro
Prof D Ala’Aldeen, Dr K Wooldridge & Dr D Wells
Nottingham University
1999 – 2002: Development of a novel human primary cell culture system for the analysis of interactions of Neisseria meningitides with the cells of the meninges.
Foetal growth and heart disease
Dr C Martyn
Southampton University
1999 – 2002: The structure and elasticity of large conduit arteries in relation to impaired foetal growth.
Skin sensitisation tissue model
Prof PK Das
Amsterdam University
1996 – 2002 Body Shop Foundation Award: Human explant culture model to study hypersensitive reactions with emphasis on a predictive test for contact sensitisers.
TMS and brain function
Dr V Walsh & Dr A Ellison
Oxford University
1998 – 2001: Using transcranial magnetic stimulation to model brain damage in human subjects.
Brain tumour therapy
Prof G Pilkington
King’s College, London
1999 – 2000: In vitro investigation of citrus flavonoids: a role in brain tumour therapy?
Alzheimer’s disease and Herpes simplex
Prof R Itzhaki & Dr M Wozniak
Manchester University
1996 – 2000: The role of Herpes simplex virus (type 1) in Alzheimer’s disease using post-mortem human brain tissue.
Drug selection by DNA binding
Prof R Waigh
Strathclyde University
1996 – 2000: Determination of sequence selectivity of DNA-binding drugs by capillary electrophoresis.
Antibodies and cancer diagnosis
Dr E Routledge & Dr B Angus
Newcastle University
1997 – 2000: In vitro production of monoclonal antibodies for immunohistochemistry and histopathology.
Sleeping sickness
Dr K Matthews
Manchester University
1996 – 2000: Cell division and differentiation in African trypanosomes in vitro.
Human lens cell lines
Dr A Prescott & Dr R Quinlan
Dundee University
1996 – 2000: Development of an in vitro human lens differentiation system to study cataractogenesis.
Human Tissue Bank
R Anderson
Leicester University
1997 – 1999: Establishment of the UK Human Tissue Bank at Leicester, the first to supply exclusively human tissues for research purposes throughout the UK.
Diabetic microangiopathy
Dr R Boot-Handford
Manchester University
1996 – 1999: Glucose-induced basement membrane thickening in Hydra, a possible method for diabetic microangiopathy.
Alternatives in education video
1999 EuroNICHE: Alternatives in education video – new approaches for a new millennium.
Magnetoencephalography and epilepsy
Prof G Harding
Aston University
1996 – 1999: A study of the cortical occipital spike and its role in epilepsy, using non-invasive magnetoencephalography of the human brain.
Cortical responses to arthritic pain
Dr A Jones & Dr P Youell
Manchester University
1996 – 1999: Development of methods to measure cortical adaptive responses to ongoing inflammatory pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Human placental studies
Prof P Bach
East London University
1996 – 1999: Biokinetics of fluorescent molecules in full-term human placenta trophoblast cells and intact precision-cut placental slices.
Improving childhood cancer therapies
Dr T Wheldon
Glasgow University
1996 – 1998: Mathematical modelling of targeted radiotherapy for combination therapies of human cancer.
Drug testing in vitro
Dr E Paul & Dr A Watson
Manchester University
1996 – 1998: Human intestinal epithelial cell lines: alternative models for efficacy and safety testing.
Vascular reconstruction
Mr P Chan & Dr S Sherriff
Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
1996 – 1998: Haemodynamic assessment of human vascular reconstruction.
Computer model of epilepsy
Dr T Benke & Dr W Anderson
Bristol University
1996 – 1998: Calcium dynamics in a computer model of neuronal epileptogenesis.
Drug metabolism in vitro
Dr G Hawksworth
Aberdeen University
1995 – 1998: In vitro approaches to predicting drug metabolism in vivo.
Vascular inflammation in vitro
Dr H Parry & Dr G Whitley
St George’s Hospital, London
1995 – 1998: Development of human adult endothelial and smooth muscle cell lines: a model for the study of vascular inflammation.
Safer pregnancies – computer modelling
Dr D Talbert & Prof N Fisk
Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, London
1995 – 1997: A comprehensive software model of perinatal physiology.
Diabetes and microcirculation
Dr A Shore
Exeter University
1995 – 1997: Ultrasound studies of microvasculature in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Brain tumour invasion
Dr D McCormick
Queen’s University, Belfast
1995 – 1997: An investigation of the role of cysteine proteinases in human brain tumour invasion, using an in vitro model.
Mutagenicity testing
Dr S Ellard & Dr A Doherty
University of Wales, Swansea
1995 – 1997: Use of human cell lines expressing human biotransformation enzymes to identify and characterise indirect-acting mutagens and aneugens.
Monoclonal antibody production
Dr R Garner & Dr N Watkins
York University
1995 – 1997: The generation and expression of antibodies in bacteria.
Photosensitivity
Dr S Navaratnam
North East Wales Institute
1995 – 1997: In vitro assay for photosensitivity induced by drugs and cosmetics.
Lung cancer metastasis
Dr J Murray
Nottingham City Hospital
1995 – 1997: CD31 and tumour dissemination – parallels with leucocyte/endothelial interactions.
Drug metabolism in vitro
Dr G Hawksworth
Aberdeen University
1995 – 1997: In vitro approaches to predicting drug metabolism in vivo.
Botulinum toxin testing
Dr T Ekong & Dr D Sesardic
NIBSC, Potters Bar
1995 – 1997: Development of a functional in vitro assay for estimating the activity of type A botulinum toxin used clinically.
Computer model of orthodontic loading
Prof ML Jones & Mr J Middleton
Cardiff University
1994 – 1996: Computer modelling to predict three-dimensional behaviour of teeth subjected to orthodontic loading.
Vascular function in heart disease
Dr C Hamilton
Glasgow University
1993 – 1995: The interrelationship between LDL cholesterol, cellular calcium and vascular function in human vessels.
Professorial lecture: Toxicology
Prof C Atterwill
Hertfordshire University
1994: Professorial lecture at the University of Hertfordshire entitled “Alternatives to the use of Animal in Drug Safety Testing”.
Alternatives in teaching database
Dr A Smith
Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo
1994: Development and distribution of NORINA database of alternatives to animals in education.
Computer models in carcinogenicity
Dr D Lewis
Surrey University
1993 – 1994: Evaluation of COMPACT and HazardExpert computer models for the identification of human carcinogens.
Magnetoencephalography and vision
Prof G Harding
Aston University, Birmingham
1993 – 1994: MEG investigation of functional specialisation in the visual cortex.
Cell culture workshop
Bradford University
1993: Four-day practical workshop teaching the principles and practice of cell culture research, and how cell culture methods are replacing animal experiments.
Clinical pharmacology meeting
Dr P Vallance
Heidelburg, Germany
1993: Workshop on probing mechanisms of vascular control including nitric oxide, in human subjects.
Parkinson’s disease
Prof R Mayer & Dr J Lowe
Nottingham University
1991 – 1993: Cell-based studies of Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s disease.
Sunscreen efficacy testing
Dr C Edwards & Dr A Pearse
University of Wales, Cardiff
1991 – 1993: Testing the efficacy of ultraviolet A sunscreens without animals.
Vitamin C and gastric cancer
Dr C Schorah
Leeds University
1990 – 1993: Human tissue culture for investigating the role of vitamin C in prevention of gastric cancer.
Angiogenesis in vitro
Dr T-P Fan & A Wren
Cambridge University
1990 – 1993 The June Hall Award for Humane Research: A pharmacological investigation of mechanisms of angiogenesis in vitro.
Breast cancer cell lines
Dr H W Van den berg
Queen’s University, Belfast
1990 – 1993 Gillian Skirrow Award: Cloning of tamoxifen-resistant and oestrogen-independent variants of the ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cell line and the use of serum-free media in their characterisation.
Neurotoxicology in vitro
Dr W Purcell & Prof C Atterwill
Hertfordshire University
1991 – 1992: Pilot study of human mast cells in neurotoxicological and neurobiology research.
HIV and the brain
Prof J Weber
St Mary’s Hospital Medical School, London
1989 – 1992: In vitro studies of HIV infection of the central nervous system.
Diet and health
Dr M Thorogood
Oxford University
1988 – 1989: Investigation into the long-term effects on health of vegetarianism, and in particular risk of heart disease.
Ella Nussbaum Lecture
Dr N Buyukmihci
At The King’s Fund, London
1988: Lecture entitled “The rights of non-human animals and their use in research and testing.”
Nephrotoxicity in vitro
Dr P Bach
Surrey University
1988: Evaluation of cultured renal proximal tubular cells as an alternative to animals in nephrotoxicity testing.
Cancer drugs in human cells
Dr P Smith & Prof NM Bleehen
Cambridge University
1987: Evaluation of anti-cancer drugs by screening samples of human cells for DNA damage, as an alternative to animal studies.
Renal cells in vitro
Dr P Bach
Surrey University
1984 – 1987: Evaluation of cultured renal proximal tubular cells as an alternative to live animals in nephrotoxicity testing.
Non-animal eye irritancy tests
Dr C Muir
Leicester Polytechnic
1982 – 1986: Investigation of in vitro methods for studying eye irritancy potential as replacements for the Draize eye test.
Oligodendrocytes and myelin
Dr E Carey
Sheffield University
1985: An investigation of factors influencing the formation and survival of oligodendrocytes and their precursor cells in brain cell cultures.
Pancreatic cell line and diabetes
Dr T Atkins
Aston University
1985: The characterisation of a virally transformed cloned ?-cell line to investigate aspects of the regulation of insulin release.
Pharmacodynamics in silico
Dr A French
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
1984: Attendance at conference to demonstrate the use of computer simulations of pharmacodynamics for replacing animal experiments by students in medicine and pharmacology.
Carcinogenicity in vitro
Dr S Brown
Nottingham University
1984: Using hybrid cells to study carcinogenicity of PAHs and the genetic control of cancer.
Drug testing in vitro
Prof C Gilbert
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
1980 – 1983: Use of human tissue biopsy samples for tests of drug toxicity.
Cell-based cancer research
Dr I Freshney
Glasgow University
1982: In vitro investigation of invasiveness of human cancer cells from lung biopsies.
Attitudes to animals
DA Paterson
Sussex University
1981: Thesis: Development of children’s attitudes to animals.
Clinical data on lymphoma
RJ Prescott
Edinburgh University
1980: Data processing support for pooled clinical information, to improve lymphoma treatments without resorting to animal experiments.
Rheumatism
Prof MIV Jayson & Dr CJP Jones
Manchester University
1980 – 1981: Ultrastructural effects of glucocorticoids in rheumatic disease using human synovial blood cells.