Research
My group's research goals are to characterise the mechanisms of collagenous tissue development, repair and renewal. This research is important because age-related degeneration and loss of function is associated with chronic pain, reduced mobility and disease comorbidities. There is both a loss of tissue integrity and propensity to fibrosis indicating that homeostasis of the collagenous extracellular matrix is lost with age. Understanding the molecular processes that create functional tissues during development and growth, and which malfunction or cease to operate in aged tissues is key to developing new strategies for tissue engineering, to activate intrinsic stem cell repair mechanisms and to develop beneficial pharmaceutical, dietary or exercise-based interventions in an increasingly aged society.
Type I collagen in ageing and disease.
Type I collagen is the major structural component of vertebrate tissues. Abnormal homotrimeric type I collagen is resistant to enzymatic breakdown, alters the biophysical properties of collagen fibrils and is associated with age-related degenerative diseases and fibrosis.
Research projects:
"A mechanistic understanding of the role of Col1a2 (the third chain of the type I collagen trimer) in brittle bone disease" (2026-2029). MRC Research Grant (Principal Investigator).
"Exploring the anti-fibrotic activity and underlying molecular mechanisms of targeted compounds in patient derived models of Dupuytren’s disease and cancer" (2025-2029). MRC DiMeN DTP PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Alicia Darling
"The role type collagen (I) homotrimer in reparative dentinogenesis" (2021-2025). DDSc (Professional Doctorate in Dental Science) research project: Nora Almunaifi.
“The regulation of collagen (I) homotrimer synthesis and its role in musculoskeletal dysfunction.” (2017-21). MRC Research Grant (Principal Investigator). Post-doctoral Research Associates: Dr Katie Lee, Dr Hala Dhowre.
“Identification of cytokines that drive progression of fibrosis in Dupuytren’s disease: therapeutic opportunities with biologics.” (2018-21). Arthritis Research UK Invited Research Award (Principal Investigator). Post-doctoral Research Associate: Dr Emma Beamish.
“Computational modeling of type I collagen synthesis to investigate age-related tissue fibrosis and tissue degeneration.” (2017-21). BBSRC NLD DTP PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Dr Emily Johnson.
“Epigenetic regulation of collagen synthesis.” (2017-20) International PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Dr Sahem Alkharabsheh.
“Inflamm-ageing and tissue homeostasis: how does the inflammatory mediator TGF-beta regulate the synthesis of degradation-resistant type I collagen?” (2014-18). The MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA) PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Dr Jade Gumbs.
“Deciphering the protein ‘fingerprint’ in Dupuytren’s Disease.” (2016-18). The Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust, Minor Medical Grant. MRes student: Gabriella Cooper.
“Collagen (I) homotrimer in age-related fibroses and tissue degeneration: evaluation as a stem cell biomarker.” (2012-2016). MRC New Investigator Research Grant (Principal Investigator). Post-doctoral Research Associate: Dr Kate Williamson.
Structure and bioengineering of collagenous tissues.
Type I collagen is the major structural component of vertebrate tissues. Collagen fibrils comprising arrays of collagen molecules adopt tissue-specific arrangements that delineate tissue mechanics and function. Understanding the structure and composition of collagenous tissues is necessary to direct tissue-engineering approaches for these tissues.
Research projects:
"Collagen scaffold with gallic acid-assisted crosslinking: potential application for bone tissue engineering" (2024-28). Dual PhD with Chulalongkorn, Thailand (secondary supervisor): Nattapak Darumas
"Computational analysis of musculoskeletal development and ageing". (2020-2026). PhD project: Mike Jones.
“Bioengineering the corneal stroma.” (2016-19). Crossley-Barnes PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Dr Danielle O’Loughlin.
“Bioreactors for engineering 3D musculoskeletal tissues: how does mechanical stimulation affect collagen synthesis?” (2016-19) Institute PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Dr Adam Janvier.
“A descriptive study of the ultrastructure of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon.” (2012-15). International PhD studentship (secondary supervisor): Dr Othman Ali.
“The molecular and cellular differences between tendons and ligaments.” (2011-2015). MRC/Institute PhD studentship (secondary supervisor): Dr Yalda Ashraf-Kharaz.
“A systems biology approach to musculoskeletal tissue engineering: transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of cartilage and tendon cells” (2010-2015). BBSRC targeted priority PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Dr Alan Mueller.
Characterisation and regulation of musculoskeletal stem/progenitor and stromal cells.
Projects in this area utilize DNA methylation analyses, transcriptomics and proteomics to determine how cellular phenotype may be altered by environmental influences.
"Characterising a novel regulation process for an important skeletal gene" (2024-28). International PhD studentship (secondary supervisor): Rabab Alanzi
“Nutritional modulation of epigenetic signatures of musculoskeletal ageing.” (2018-23). CIMA PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Daniel Green.
“Tendon and ligament stem cells and their niche.” (2013-17) The Marjorie Forrest bequest PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Dr Katie Lee.
“Investigating the effects of glucose exposure on synoviocytes and chondrocytes as a model for musculoskeletal ageing.” (2012-17). CIMA PhD studentship (primary supervisor): Dr Luke Tregilgas.
Research grants
A mechanistic understanding of the role of Col1a2 (the third chain of the type I collagen trimer) in brittle bone disease
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
March 2026 - February 2029
Bench Fees for Alanizi, Rabab / 201780692
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SAUDI ARABIA)
November 2024 - October 2028
Liverpool array tomography: revitalising and strengthening the capabilities of a national hub for biomedical volume EM research (Liverpool AT: vEM)
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2024 - March 2025
EuroAgeNet: European Partnerships in Ageing Science
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
August 2023 - March 2025
FTMA4 Enhancing staff mobility to build capacity in extracellular matrix ageing research and development
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2023 - March 2023
Global Partnering Award UK Ageing Networks: North America
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL, IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (UK)
February 2022 - March 2026
Identification of cytokines that drive progression of fibrosis in Dupuytren’s disease: therapeutic opportunities with biologics
ARTHRITIS RESEARCH UK, VERSUS ARTHRITIS (UK)
May 2018 - July 2022
Deciphering the protein ‘fingerprint’ in Dupuytren’s Disease
THE DOWAGER COUNTESS ELEANOR PEEL TRUST (UK)
July 2016 - December 2017
Collagen (I) homotrimer in age-related fibroses and tissue degeneration: evaluation as a stem cell biomarker
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2012 - February 2016
Liverpool 3View: a national hub for 3D-EM bioscience research
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2014 - December 2014
Expression of developmental homeobox genes in adult cartilage and tendon
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2012 - September 2012