E.Carpenter

The use of human adult cutaneous cells in neurodegeneration research. Oxygen-sensing, ion channel function and calcium signalling in neural crest-derived cells.

The current rise in the incidence of age-related neurodegenerative disease is a result of extending lifespans. Neurodegeneration is thought to involve neural cell death, but the inaccessibility of the brain greatly hampers the study of this process in humans. Melanocytes and neural cells share several features, reflective of their common origin in the embryonic neural crest. Not only do they share a dendritic morphology, but also neuroendocrine-receptor expression profiles. Current collaborative work with Professor D Tobin involves using a range of strategies to assess the potential of using highly accessible human cutaneous melanocytes as a model system for studying human neural cell ageing and death. In the first instance, we have characterised the expression of some typical markers of neurodegeneration in both melanocytes and melanoma (see figure 1) and assessed the effects of neurotoxic substances on melanocyte cell viability (see figure 2).

Figure 1 Expression of Fe65 (green) and amyloid precursor protein (APP; red) in cultured epidermal melanocytes. Fe65 is an adaptor protein thought to interact with APP in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Objective magnification: x40.

Figure 2 Effect of pre-aggregated Aβ1-40 peptide epidermal melanocyte cell viability after 72 hrs incubation in vitro. Cell viability was tested at each concentration in quintuplicate and an Aβ1-40 concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability can be clearly be seen.

Future work will include an in-depth examination of the actions and functions of identified neurodegeneration markers in these cells. This research could help to identify potential therapeutic targets that may aid in the discovery of interventions that could limit or prevent age-related neurodegeneration.

Results from this project have been presented at European Hair Research Conferences in Zurich (2005) and London (2006). Research funded by the University of Bradford Research Investment Fund.

N Papageorgiou (PhD student; graduated 2007), in collaboration with Professor D Tobin. Studentship funded by the School of Life Sciences.

• Member of the Physiological Society
• Member of British Pharmacological Society
• Regular grant reviewer (BBSRC, etc)
• Regular reviewer for international physiological journals
• External Examining

• University Working Group on Higher Education Progress Files
• STEM
• School of Life Sciences IT/Web Working Group
• Division of Clinical Sciences Course Management Committee

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Exams Tutor for Clinical Sciences BSc and Foundation Year in Clinical Sciences/Medicine
• Year 3 Tutor
• Structured Personal Tutoring/PPD facilitation

Module leader for the following modules:

• Special Studies 3 Dissertations (CS3002J; Level 3, 30 credits)
• Renal System (CS1002M; Level 1, 10 credits)
• Laboratory and Study Skills for Clinical Sciences (CS0004L; Level 0, 20 credits)
• Biology 1 (CS0007M; Level 0, 10 credits)
• Biology 2 (CS0008M; Level 0, 10 credits)

Human Anatomy Teaching at Leeds (CS1004L; Level 1, Thorax and Abdomen)

Teaching and assessment contributions to:

• Clinical Pharmacology (CS3001M; Level 3, 10 credits)
• Control Systems 1 (PH2000M; Control and Movement) (Level 2, 10 credits)
• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems (CS1004L; Level 1, 20 credits)
• Medical Physiology (BM1108L; Level 1, 20 credits)
• Special Studies 0 (CS0003L; Level 0, 20 credits)
• Special Studies 1 (CS1001L; Level 1, 20 credits)
• Special Studies and PPD2 (CS2001L; Level 2, 20 credits)