Newton Students

Photo	Student	Project	Links
Post-Doc
	Stefanie Klima	The main aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between chemotherapy-induced senescence and changes in nuclear chromatin structure organisation, specifically the localisation of heterochromatin along the nuclear lamina. During senescence, post-translational histone modifications such as methylation cause changes in chromatin structure and thereby affect the access of transcription factors to DNA.	www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-klima-82a2b8201/
MSc
	Jessica Harris	My project is focused on the luteinising hormone receptor (LHR), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. As a GPCR, the LHR possesses complex signalling and trafficking pathways. These pathways are responsible for maintaining fertility in both males and females, with infertility occurring when the LHR is altered. LHR-Chap, also known as Org 42599 or Org 43553, is a non-peptide small-molecule which binds to the LHR in a manner different from the native hormones. To identify if this compound can be used as a therapeutic for chronic disorders involving the LHR, the aim of this project is to investigate the signalling and trafficking pathways of the LHR when stimulated by the native hormone in comparison to stimulation with LHR-Chap. This in turn will create a greater understanding of the LHR as well as an understanding of the mechanisms it employs when stimulated by different ligands.	https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-harris-3514b6287/
	Gabriella du Plessis	Growth hormone releasing-hormone (GHRH) is a key regulator of growth hormone (GH) release and its signaling through the growth hormone releasing-hormone receptor (WT GHRHR) plays a role in cell proliferation. The splice variant SV1 of GHRHR has been linked to increased proliferation in cancer cells and can be induced by hypoxia, a condition commonly found in tumor microenvironments. However, the intracies of SV1 signalling and role in tumour progression remain mostly unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of hypoxia on SV1 expression and proliferation in various cancer cell lines. Additionally, further investigation into the downstream signaling mechanisms of SV1, particularly its potential β-arrestin signaling bias will be conducted.	-
	Allyson Abram	Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a G- protein coupled receptor which may be involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Variants found within AVP could potentially lead to the internalisation of the AVP receptor affecting the signalling cascade. This project aims to identify the variants linked to ASD and to test their effect on the ligand. The functional rescue of these variants will also be tested using non- peptide ligands.	https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyson-andrea-abram-97053225a/

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