Molecular and Cellular Sciences Section
About our team
Head of section, Professor Katalin Török
Our research in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences Section addresses molecular and cellular mechanisms of health and disease. We carry out internationally competitive research aimed at understanding the mechanisms that underlie processes essential for life. Our researchers are actively engaged in translating new discoveries into novel clinical advances.
Our approach to research
Our researchers employ a wide range of cellular and molecular approaches in vitro and in vivo to gain a mechanistic understanding of processes and diseases such as:
- skin development (Dr Chikh)
- melanoma progression and metabolism (Dr Sviderskaya)
- mammalian pigmentation (Dr Sviderskaya, Prof Carter )
- cell senescence and melanoma development (Prof Bennett, Dr Chikh)
- DNA duplication and microbial antibiotic resistance (Prof Fisher)
- DNA repair and cancer (Dr Cotterill)
- protein trafficking, secretion and tissue development (Prof Carter, Dr Kim, Dr Miralles, Dr Sviderskaya, Dr Chikh)
- mitochondrial dysfunction and disease (Dr Bax)
- cilia-dependent signal pathways in development and diseases (Dr Kim)
- puberty, fertility and reproduction (Dr Kim, Dr Rice)
- fluorescent biosensors for calcium signalling and glutamate neurotransmission, kinetic mechanisms in synaptic transmission and memory formation (Prof Török)
- neurophysiology of memory and learning
- neurotransmission and plasticity, brain ischaemia
- pain and developing drug encapsulation and drug delivery approaches as treatment avenues (Dr Olga Kopach).
In our research we use state-of-the-art molecular biological, protein biophysical, fluorescence and imaging approaches, electrophysiology, live cell and organ imaging by bright field and confocal microscopy and develop drug encapsulation and drug delivery approaches as treatment avenues.
Meet our team
- Dr Bridget Bax: Research focus: Molecular mechanisms of the MNGIE disease and cell-based therapy treatments.
- Professor Dorothy Bennett: Research focus: cell senescence and melanoma genetics.
- Professor Tom Carter: Research focus: organelle trafficking and secretion.
- Dr Anissa Chikh: Research focus: molecular mechanisms in diseases including inflammatory skin disorders, cancer, vascular homeostasis and arthritis.
- Dr Sue Cotterill: Research focus: DNA repair and cancer.
- Professor Mark Fisher: Research focus: DNA topoisomerases.
- Dr Soo-Hyun Kim: Research focus: cilia-dependent signalling pathway in development and aging.
- Dr Olga Kopach: Research focus: neuroscience, neurophysiology, neurons, astrocytes, advanced imaging techniques and electrophysiology, neuropathology.
- Dr Francisco Miralles Arenas: Research focus: regulation of cell proliferation.
- Dr Axel Nohturfft: Research focus: organelle biogenesis, development of bio-informatic tools for cell biology.
- Efthymia Papaevangelou: Research focus: pharmacological therapies of cancer.
- Dr Suman Rice: Research focus: human polycystic overy syndrome (PCOS) & ovarian function.
- Dr Elena Sviderskaya: Research focus: mammalian pigmentation and melanoma.
- Professor Katalin Torok: Research focus: kinetic mechanisms in synaptic transmission and memory formation.
- Dr Ferran Valderrama: Research focus: prostate cancer biology, advanced microscopic imaging.
Recent Publications
Learn about some of our recent publications.
Cell biology and Genetics Seminar Series
We hold regular seminars to broaden knowledge and stimulate new collaborations and interactions through the sharing of ideas and cutting-edge research. See details of our upcoming and past seminars.