biomedical sciences research institute - Research - University of Ulster

Publications:Lees-Murdock DJ, Lau HT, Castrillon DH, De Felici M, Walsh CP; DNA methyltransferase loading, but not de novomethylation, is an oocyte-autonomous process stimulated by SCF signaling; Developmental Biology, 321: 238-250, 2008Related ArticlesLees-Murdock DJ, Walsh CP; DNA methylation reprogramming in the germ line; Epigenetics, 3: 5-13, 2008 [Review]Presentations at conferences:Speaker, Joint UK/German Epigenetics meeting, Überherrn, Germany 2007Speaker, UK Stem Cell Network regional meeting, Antrim, 2007Speaker, XIV International Workshop on the Development and Function of the Reproductive Organs, Frascati,Italy, 2008Speaker, Cancer RRG Annual Meeting, Antrim, Northern Ireland, 2008Dr Robin W FreeburnLecturer in Haematology and ImmunologyContact details:+44 (0)28 70324606 rw.freeburn@ulster.ac.ukMain research interests:The main area of investigation in the lab is the role of Wnt proteins in lymphocytic leukaemia. Two projects are currentlylooking at chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) to identify abnormalitiesand signalling defects in the Wnt pathways that may contribute towards these leukaemias. In collaboration withBelfast City Hospital, a mix of molecular analysis, protein pathway analysis and cell based assays are used to investigateleukaemic cell lines and patient samples. Another area of interest is the regulation of intracellular signalling pathwaysin T cells, in particular the role played by inositol phosphatases in negatively regulating pathways activated by theCD28 and CD3 receptors.Immunobiology and fluorescent imaging techniques are being used to investigate the activation and control ofsignalling pathways such as PKB, DOK and Map kinases. Specific projects are looking at pathways downstream of PI3kinases and the role of the inositol phosphatases, SHIP and PTEN, in this regulation. PTEN is a commonly mutatedtumour suppressor gene and its role of in the leukaemogenesis of lymphocytic malignancies is another area of activeresearch. This includes investigation into the role of genetic mutation, especially single nucleotide polymorphisms,in the pathogenesis of lymphocytic leukaemias. The expression of SHIP isoforms has been shown to change with94