Upon completion of the human genome project, the biggest surprise was that humans have far fewer genes than previously expected (~ 21,000). Additionally, less than 2% of the available DNA directly codes for these genes. To address this paradox, recent studies have suggested that much of the remaining 98% of DNA is turned into 'non-coding RNA' and that these regulate the expression of gene expression at the level of transcription and translation. For convenience, we commonly divide this non-coding RNA into small non-coding RNAs and long non-coding RNAs. At the present time, we have little idea about the role of the majority of this non-coding RNA.

My research group is interested in using oligonucleotide-based therapeutics (siRNA and antisense) to target the down-regulation or inhibition of protein coding mRNAs and non-coding RNAs. In the last few years, the emphasis has been upon using next generation sequencing to identify mRNAs, miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that underlying biological responses/diseases.

Current project include:

• The role of long non-coding RNAs and the innate immune response (James Heward and Dr Benoir Roux)
• Transcriptome analysis in re-current squamous cell lung cancer (Dr Andre Koper - Manchester)
• Transcriptome analysis in muscle myositis (Dr Philip Hamann)
• Age Related Changes in miRNAs expression (Jasmine Malchrist)
• Models of rhinovirus infection in human lungs (Anna Pomerenke - Manchester)
• Identification of genetic and serum biomarkers of psoriatic arthritis (Dr Deepak Jadon)

Collaborations include:

Professor Fan Chung (Imperial College) – Transcriptome analysis in airway smooth muscle in normal, mild and severe asthma

Dr Simon Jones (University of Birmingham) - Examination of the transcriptome in the synovial fibroblasts of patients with osteoarthritis (normal weight versus obese individuals)