Cell-Matrix Interaction and Tissue Remodelling
The cell-matrix and tissue remodelling grouping is mainly interested in the role that extracellular matrix proteins, cell adhesion receptors and pericellular proteases play in tissue development, repair and pathological condition such as cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis and muscle wasting diseases.
Our research interests include:
- Understanding proteolytic pathways in musculoskeletal pathology
- Degradome functions in cancer, tissue repair and degenerative diseases
- Action of the non-protease maspin on vascular and tumour cells
- Functional regulation of pericellular proteolytic activity
- Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in the regulation of metalloproteinases in inflammation, osteoarthritis and wound healing
- Cell-Matrix interaction in development and tissue maintenance
- Regulation of post-natal skeletal muscle fibre type differentiation and specification
- The role of extracellular matrix in vascular development
 | Prof Dylan Edwards Proteases and their inhibitors in cancer biology; The role of metalloproteinases in angiogenesis; Degradome functions in development, tissue repair and degenerative disease |
 | Prof Ian Clark Function and regulation of MMP-28 and ADAMTS-16 in cartilage; Regulation of cartilage catabolism in osteoarthritis; Transcriptional regulation of metalloproteinase and inhibitor genes |
 | Dr Ulrike Mayer Integrin function in skeletal muscle Skeletal muscle regeneration and satellite cell renewal. Therapeutic strategies for muscle wasting diseases |
 | Dr Vince Ellis Role of pericellular serine proteases in cardiovascular disease & atherosclerosis; Functional regulation of the fibrinolytic system/plasminogen activation system; Biochemical characterisation of type-II transmembrane serine proteases |
 | Dr Jelena Gavrilovic Metalloproteinases in cell-cell and cell matrix interactions; Roles of ADAMs & MMPs in inflammatory aspects of Type 2 Diabetes; Metalloproteinases regulation in peripheral nervous system in Type 2 diabetes |
 | Dr Helen James role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in bcr-abl positive leukaemias degradome profiling, and cytotoxicity testing of Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas calixarenes as novel molecules for anti-cancer drug design |
 | Dr Gabriel Mutungi Transcriptional regulation of postnatal skeletal muscle fibre type differentiation & specification Loss of skeletal muscle strength in old age: role of passive muscle visco-elasticity The effects of cyclosporin A on the functional characteristics of skeletal muscle |
 | Dr Ernst Pöschl Functions of extracellular matrix proteins (Collagen IV) Basic mechanisms of angiogenesis and the roles of perivascular cells In vivo functions of members of the annexin family (annexin V/A5) |
 | Dr Rosemary Bass Mechanism of action of non-protease-inhibitory serpin Maspin. Integrins and Maspin on the cell surface. Maspin in heart disease and cancer |
 | Dr Graham Riley The physiology and pathology of tendon and other soft connective tissues The role and regulation of proteases in chronic tendinopathy The effect of mechanical strain on extracellular matrix metabolism in a 3D culture environment |