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UCL Institute of Ophthalmology

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Research

Research Projects

  • Regulation of angiogenesis and vascular permeability.
  • Regulation of neuronal development and regeneration.
  • Roles of neural crest cells in heart and great vessel formation.
  • Roles of macrophages in physiological and pathological angiogenesis.
  • Relationship of angiogenesis and neurogenesis.
  • Identifying vascular cell lineage origins.

Key achievements

  • VEGF forms gradients that guide angiogenesis in developing organs.
  • Macrophages help blood vessel sprouts to fuse into perfused circuits.
  • Dual NRP1 role in VEGF and matrix signalling for retina angiogenesis.
  • VEGF signals through NRP1 for proper neuronal migration and survival.
  • VEGF signals through NRP1 to guide axons for stereo vision.
  • Neural crest cells secrete VEGF to instruct arteriogenesis for jaw growth.
  • Neural crest cells secrete SEMA3C to instruct cardiac outflow tract septation into the base of the aorta and pulmonary artery.
  • Defective SEMA3A signalling compromises puberty.
  • Erythromyeloid progenitors give rise to endothelial cells for organ vascularisation.

Prizes and awards

  • Judah Folkman Award (2018, NAVBO)
  • Cheryll Tickle Medal (2018, BSDB)
  • Investigator Award (2016; Wellcome Trust)
  • Academic Role Model (2013; UCL School of Life and Medical Sciences)
  • Junior Investigator Award (2011; Wellcome Trust)
  • Career Development Award (2003-2007; MRC)
  • Werner-Risau-Prize (2003; German Society for Cell Biology)
  • Young Cell Biologist of the Year (1996; British Society for Cell Biology)

Protocols and resources

Plasmids

Our lab has deposited plasmids at Addgene for distribution to the research community. Addgene is a non-profit plasmid repository dedicated to improving life science research.

Collaborators

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James Bainbridge, Steve Wilson
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Lynda Erskine
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Anna Cariboni, Alessandro Fantin

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Anne Eichmann, Michael Simons
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Quenten Schwarz

 

 

Funders

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