Current research

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Since completing my PhD studies in late 2017 I have been lucky to work in the lab of Professor Karen Piper Hanley as a Postdoctoral Research Associate.  Our lab forms part of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research at the University of Manchester and is interested in fibrosis of the liver, lung, kidney and heart.

Since 2021 I have also been working as part of the ID Liver project, working to identify potential novel biomarkers for liver disease. 

Organ fibrosis occurs when increased amounts of extracellular matrix proteins are deposited in tissue in response to damage.  If the source of damage is not dealt with, this deposition can continue until the levels of matrix become excessive, altering the architecture of the tissue and preventing the organ from effectively performing its function. 

Our lab is particularly interested in how fibrosis can become self perpetuating. The deposition of extracellular matrix alters the mechanical properties of the tissue, which can promote further deposition of extracellular matrix by cells within the tissue in a feed-forward cycle. Identifying the genes responsible for this cycle and understanding their function may provide novel targets for therapies . This is particularly important because as yet there are no effective anti-fibrotic therapies.