https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.131.34

The Society is delighted to announce the four winners of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Award, designed to support members wishing to conduct pilot studies, develop a new technique or to finalise a project, as well as supporting activities to promote knowledge transfer and impact.

Dr Joshua Tremblay

Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK

Project title: Investigating how urbanisation impacts cardiovascular health in the Tarahumara Health Project

Project aims: The aim of this proposal is to examine nail samples for chronic measures of stress (cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone) and sex hormone (testosterone, progesterone) levels. These will provide novel, mechanistic insight on how urbanisation alters the trajectory of cardiovascular ageing, the role of stress and sex hormones, and complements our comprehensive dataset. We are applying for this funding to finalise this project.

“This support from The Physiological Society helps to finalise a project that sets the trajectory of my research programme. Critically, this funding bridges my postdoctoral training and my first academic position”

Dr Sadaf Ashraf

University of Kent, UK

Project title: Generating a novel 3D in vitro synovial model to study osteoarthritis-producing signals

Project aims: Changes in the synovial microenvironment due to chronic low-grade inflammation can contribute to the initiating and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). To test this hypothesis, I aim to (i) develop a reproducible preclinical multi-cellular in vitro 3D model of the synovium that mirrors the complexity of the synovial tissue microenvironment to act as a synovial analogue and (ii) assess the functional validity of this synovial analogue in response to inflammatory and pain mediators involved in OA. This is with the ultimate goal of identifying the signals responsible for disease progression and targets for therapy.

“I am extremely excited to be awarded The Research and Knowledge Exchange Award, which will enable me to generate a clinically relevant in vitro 3D synovial model to investigate early tissue changes in arthritis. As an early career researcher this award will enable me to gather data that are essential for securing further research funds and expanding my collaborative networks. In addition, this project has direct healthcare and patient benefit (drug testing, identifying novel therapeutic targets, understanding disease mechanisms and bridging the gap between preclinical and clinical models)”

Dr Faye McLeod

Newcastle University, UK

Project title: Monitoring neurotransmitter release in a preclinical human model of monogenic epilepsy

Project aims: I hypothesise that loss of STXBP1 will reduce synaptic vesicle recycling at the presynapse in subplate neurons, causing secondary, “emergent” effects upon the developmental programme in human neuronal networks. To investigate this, my aims are to:

• Learn a new optical imaging technique to accurately monitor presynaptic neurotransmitter release.
• Assess the impact that loss of STXBP1 has on presynaptic signalling in human brain slice cultures, and the subsequent development of the cultures.

“I’m excited about receiving this award because the techniques I am developing offer so much potential for translation, from understanding how some faulty genes may cause epilepsy, to testing novel therapies on developing human neurons. I hope that my research can really make a difference! This Award will consolidate new academic collaborations and provide a springboard for future grant applications, which are crucial to the continuation of my career as a principal investigator in the field of epilepsy.”

Dr Christopher Shannon

University College Dublin, Ireland

Project title: Role of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier in diet-induced adipose remodelling

Project aims: Aim 1: Investigate whether the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) regulates de novo lipogenesis in white adipose tissue (WAT)? Silencing adipocyte MPC blocks de novo lipogenesis (DNL) from carbohydrates in cultured adipocytes and in isolated WAT explants from male and female mice. Aim 2: Investigate whether the MPC influences adipose amino acid metabolism.

“I’m very grateful to The Physiological Society for the opportunity to explore novel metabolic aspects of adipose dysfunction. The award will help me to develop my independent research identity, strengthen important international collaborations and will hopefully act as a springboard for future funding success!”

Find out more about our grants and awards