I have many years experience in molecular and cellular biology. My cell culture experience began during my PhD where I developed primary adipocytes and ovarian theca cell cultures from surgical biopsies in order to examine the mechanisms of insulin in the condition polycystic ovarian syndrome. This gave me a good grounding in cell culture, molecular and biochemical techniques. I then progressed to culturing a wide variation in cell lines in order to supervise a larger scope of research in my role as senior researcher at Staffordshire University. My entire research career has been heavily involved in adipocyte work including both primary and cell line models. I have focused on adipocyte mapping looking into insulin signalling, luteinising hormone receptor verification / pathways and steroidogenic activity.

Research interests include: Continual mapping of diabetic and non-diabetic adipocyte pathways with focus on therapeutic targets for metabolic dysfunctions and obesity. Which currently include: Examining the molecular pathway of insulin and novel androgen steroidogenesis in diabetic adipocyte cultures through protein and gene expression as well as steroid secretion. 

 Examination into the effects of varied hormonal messengers on adipocyte steroidogenesis and differentiation. Following determination of the novel luteinising hormone (LH) receptors present in early stage pre adipocyte differentiation we are examining the effects of LH in adipocyte maturation and steroid synthesis including androgens and estrogens processing. Our work also includes cancer research across a wide array of tissue types including breast, lung, oesophageal and ovarian. Modulation of cytotoxic agents in breast and lung cancer models. Ongoing studies into cytotoxic resistance in in-vitro cancers involving development of resistant cancer cell lines and cytotoxicity assays. 

 Examining the synergistic anti-proliferative effects of flavonoid aglycones and glucuronides in breast cancer cells in culture through cell viability assays and HPLC glucoronide availability. Development of synthetic intestinal models utilising CaCo-2 cell lines in order to process flavonoid to physiological aglycone forms.