Characterising the molecular basis of a genetic acute neuropathy using a range of protein and cellular models.

Wellcome Trust PhD Studentship.Identifying and characterising novel genetic diseases and mutational mechanisms in patients with complex rare diseases.

During this academic year, I was on an Erasmus Work Exchange at the Protein Oxidation research group at The University of Copenhagen. Over 12 months, I have been working on my own project, which I have been assessing the role of hypoxia (<1% Oxygen) on changes to arterial extracellular matrix synthesis, in the context of chronic inflammatory disease, such as atherosclerosis. This requires exposing primary human coronary artery endothelial cells to hypoxia, and assessing the changes in cellular behaviour and ECM. Methods used include immunocytochemistry, QRT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA and cell adhesion and proliferation assays. I have also had the chance to deliver an oral presentation of my research to the Danish Cardiovascular Research Academy (DaCRA), which was received with great interest.

As part of the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme, I have undertaken additional duties related to my degree course at the University of Exeter. Within this, I am responsible for mentoring a group of first year students, by running drop in workshops, as well as timetabled sessions in order to assist and advise them on their studies.