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