Stephen Cranwell Email & Phone Number

Cambridge, Gb

My research currently focuses on cell non-autonomous effects of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype on the proteostasis quality control network using novel systems.

London, England, United Kingdom

During Oct-Dec I tutor small groups of students (undergraduate and postgraduate) for Professor David Gems Biology of Ageing course at University College London.

London, England, United Kingdom

Building on the finding that RNA Polymerase III inhibition extends lifespan downstream of TOR, my project investigated what transcription factors mediate the above lifespan extension. The project involved knocking down key transcription factors via RNAi using a modified GAL4-UAS system. The project will entailed a bioinformatics aspect to investigate the relevance of genetic variants associated with longevity in humans. The analysis was performed in R by first obtaining eQTL data of variants… Show more Building on the finding that RNA Polymerase III inhibition extends lifespan downstream of TOR, my project investigated what transcription factors mediate the above lifespan extension. The project involved knocking down key transcription factors via RNAi using a modified GAL4-UAS system. The project will entailed a bioinformatics aspect to investigate the relevance of genetic variants associated with longevity in humans. The analysis was performed in R by first obtaining eQTL data of variants hypothesised to be associated with longevity, followed by linkage disequilibrium pruning and mendelian randomization. See "Mendelian randomization analyses implicate biogenesis of translation machinery in human aging" for more information. Show less

As a senior analyst in the immunobiology group, I worked to support pre-clinical and clinical safety and efficacy testing of gene therapies. Using qPCR and RT-qPCR, I assessed viral vector biodistribution, as well as mRNA and miRNA expression changes as a result of dosing or toxicity. My time at Charles River allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of experimental processes by developing assays from the ground up, to yield the highest quality data while maintaining regulatory compliance… Show more As a senior analyst in the immunobiology group, I worked to support pre-clinical and clinical safety and efficacy testing of gene therapies. Using qPCR and RT-qPCR, I assessed viral vector biodistribution, as well as mRNA and miRNA expression changes as a result of dosing or toxicity. My time at Charles River allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of experimental processes by developing assays from the ground up, to yield the highest quality data while maintaining regulatory compliance. Along with the technical skills I learned, my extensive time in the laboratory refined my ability to troubleshoot problems and identify bottlenecks. This resulted from the extensive investment of fully developing and validating assays from the ground up while maintaining GLP compliance. Show less

My postgraduate research project investigated the enzyme capacity of exosomes. I chose to undertake this project as I was intrigued by the emerging evidence these vesicles could contain oncogenic messengers. There had also been recent studies indicating their role in senescence and their increased release in concert with the SASP. As well as uncovering new mechanisms of malignancy and senescence, they had the possibility of being used diagnostically and as possible vectors for therapeutic… Show more My postgraduate research project investigated the enzyme capacity of exosomes. I chose to undertake this project as I was intrigued by the emerging evidence these vesicles could contain oncogenic messengers. There had also been recent studies indicating their role in senescence and their increased release in concert with the SASP. As well as uncovering new mechanisms of malignancy and senescence, they had the possibility of being used diagnostically and as possible vectors for therapeutic oligonucleotides, averting some of the undesirable restraints of commonly used AAVs. The expanding science of exosomes and their use to uncover new mechanisms of action, and possible therapeutic effects fascinated me. I also appreciated the novelty of the project to study the intravesicular enzyme capacity of these increasingly important vesicles. The project allowed me to develop new techniques including mammalian cell culture, ultracentrifugation, TEM microscopy, and enzyme assay optimisation. My time in the Buck lab was of great benefit to me, large parts of the project were independent, and I learned to scrutinise literature to determine how to optimise my assay Show less

My final year undergraduate project investigated the role of a heat shock proteins influence on drought response in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. I investigated whether a knockout variation produced an altered drought tolerance phenotype. This introduced me to a number of standard techniques that I was able to perform routinely with success including CTAB DNA extraction, the creation of primers, PCR, cDNA synthesis, SDS-PAGE, and GeneOntology analysis.

During the summer of 2013 I worked at Oceanlab, an institute of the University of Aberdeen. Working there gave me experience in science outside of the lab. Here I learned to program with R and Brodgar and analyse decades of survey data from fisheries by completing data exploration and performing generalised additive modelling. I also wrote progress reports and gave a presentation on my work. This placement allowed me to attend the 2013 MASTS (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for… Show more During the summer of 2013 I worked at Oceanlab, an institute of the University of Aberdeen. Working there gave me experience in science outside of the lab. Here I learned to program with R and Brodgar and analyse decades of survey data from fisheries by completing data exploration and performing generalised additive modelling. I also wrote progress reports and gave a presentation on my work. This placement allowed me to attend the 2013 MASTS (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland) conference in Edinburgh. Show less

In the year between school and university I worked full time as a lab assistant at the John Innes Centre, an independent, international centre of research in plant science and microbiology. I learnt many skills including laboratory safety and methods such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and DNA isolation. I also worked with fluorescent microscopes, attended lectures presented by my colleagues and visiting researchers, and had weekly discussions about the progress and problems in the lab. This was… Show more In the year between school and university I worked full time as a lab assistant at the John Innes Centre, an independent, international centre of research in plant science and microbiology. I learnt many skills including laboratory safety and methods such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and DNA isolation. I also worked with fluorescent microscopes, attended lectures presented by my colleagues and visiting researchers, and had weekly discussions about the progress and problems in the lab. This was a fantastic introduction to laboratory work and strengthened my resolve work in a scientific environment. Show less

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Molecular Biology

Mres, Biology Of Ageing, Distinction

Master Of Science (Msc), Biotechnology, Distinction

Modules: Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Tools for Synthetic Biology Intelligent Agriculture Environmental Gene Mining.

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Genetics, 1

Activities and Societies: Marine Conservation Society, Languages for All, Diving Club (SubAqua) 3rd Year: Research Project Issues.

Education record