Completed my PhD on the role of the S100P protein in the motility and invasion of trophoblast cells. The S100 family of proteins are calcium-binding proteins expressed in a wide variety of tissues that participate in both intracellular and extracellular activities. One family member, S100P, has gained attention primarily in the context of promotion of carcinogenesis. Containing no enzymatic activity of its own, it interacts with multiple target proteins to regulate motility and invasion of cancer cells. Little is known, however, about the role of S100P in extravillous trophoblast cells of the placenta, an organ in which S100P expression is found at its highest level in the body. Assays utilised during the course of my PhD include subcellular fractionation, SDS-PAGE, western blotting, plasma membrane isolation, migration/invasion studies using Transwell insert systems, transfection, biotinylation, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. I have extensive knowledge of cell culture and isolation of primary cells from placental tissue.

My responsibilities include taking lecture notes for disabled or less able students.

• An investigation into how high expression of S100P can affect the migration and invasion of trophoblasts. • Knowledgeable in the use of fluorescence microscopes, inverted light microscopes and Cell-IQ® PC Software.• Performed analysis of cells on the Cell IQ Analyser and Leica Application Suite (LAS) software.• Studied a variety of different techniques, such as cell culture, scratch assays and indirect immunofluorescence.