Myosin light chains. Force development during contraction of the heart is crucial for optimal cardiac function. Myosin light chain proteins are involved in this process but their exact role is not clear. In healthy hearts different myosin light chains work together to optimise force production, whereas in diseased hearts this process is disrupted. Inherited changes (mutations) in cardiac light chains have been linked to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that can result in sudden death. My research investigates the structure and function of different cardiac light chains using biochemical and biophysical techniques in order to understand how they work in healthy hearts and in diseased hearts.
Muscle ageing. Recently, we have started to look at the molecular mechanisms involved in muscle ageing (sarcopenia), both at a molecular level but also at whole organism level (C. elegans) in collaboration with Dr Simon Harvey and Dr Jana Stastna. We use nematodes that express fluorescently labelled muscle proteins to investigate the muscle ageing process and factors that can affect this process.
Microplastics along the East Kent coast: This work is done in collaboration with the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA) in Ramsgate, who collect sea water samples for us along the coastline of East Kent. Sample processing takes place at Canterbury Christ Church University in order to determine microplastic contamination. The sample analysis work involves a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate (MSc) students.
