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Seminars are aimed at an academic audience interested in a broad range of topics related to healthcare sciences. Colleagues across the Healthcare Science Research Institute, related research groups across MMU and other universities and organisations are welcome to attend and/or present their work. If you would like to present a seminar on a topic related to healthcare sciences or if you would like to receive e-mail reminders of upcoming talks please contact: e.tole@mmu.ac.uk
The presentation will focus on how we have used intravital microscopyto image in vivo the trafficking of systemically injected stem cells to sites of organ injury. We have developed a number of different strategies to improve the retention of stem cells in these organs including chemokine, free radical and platelet microparticle pre-treatment. The presentation will also outline the vasculoprotective effects of these stem cells and whether this can be modified by pre-treatment. Although most of our work has focussed on monitoring stem cell homing to the hepatic, renal and intestinal microcirculation, the presentation will briefly showcase our preliminary success at imaging the cardiac microcirculation intravitally in the beating mouse heart.
Time: 1 - 2 pm Location: E233 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
Transcription factor PAX3 contributes to diverse cell lineages during embryonic development. Since the main developmental processes regulated by PAX3 are also fundamental characteristics of neoplasia, it might be important for tumourigenesis. We found that PAX3 is expressed in childhood cancer neuroblastoma whereas malignant cells had much higher PAX3 protein expression than their benign counterparts. PAX expression is required for the development of neuroblastoma. Investigation of angiogenic target genes of PAX3 by microarray analysis revealed that CD105 expression was down-regulated in malignant tumour cells by PAX3 silencing. CD105 is a cell surface receptor of TGF-beta receptor complex and is preferentially expressed in endothelial cells of human tumours and its plasma levels correlate with metastasis in cancer patients. Analysis of the initial Phase I clinical trial of radiolabelled CD105 monoclonal antibody in cancer patients demonstrated good tolerability and localisation. Additional studies are envisaged to use CD105 antibody in combination with chemotherapy and VEGF inhibitors and in other angiogenic diseases.
Time: 1 - 2 pm Location: E223 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
The recommended levels of physical activity are seldom reached in western societies. In the UK for instance, the cost of care as a consequence of lower than recommended physical activity, is an estimated 10 billion GBP a year to the NHS. 'Game plan' (Strategy-Unit and DCMS, 2002) estimated that a 10% increase in physical activity in adults would benefit England, at least 500 million GBP per year and save approximately 6,000 lives a year. New research suggests that, regardless even of leisure time physical activity, sedentary behaviour itself (e.g. sitting to watch TV or use a computer) is a distinct health risk. Indeed sedentary behaviour has negative effects on metabolic profile, cardiovascular health, psychosocial well-being and stimulates obesity (Tremblay et al., 2010). This has led to the phenomenon coined 'the active couch potato', whereby a person may exhibit participation in bouts of medium to high physical activity, yet be highly sedentary in the intervening periods. In older people in particular, sedentarism is a pressing problem as they spend a great deal of time sitting. This presentations aims to introduce and explain these concepts, and present related research at MMU Cheshire.
Time: 1 - 2 pm Location: E223 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
RD1 presentations from postgraduate students working in the School
Time: 1 - 2 pm Location:E223 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
RD1 Presentations from postgraduate students working in the school
Time: 1 - 2 pm Location: E303 John Dalton Building, Oxford Road
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