duff_chris - Keele University

Dr Chris Duff

Title: Pre-registration Clinical Biochemist
Phone: +44 (0)1782 555195
Email:
Location: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7PX
Role: ISTM research theme: Clinical & Diagnostic Science
Contacting me: By e-mail or phone please.
Chris_Duff_190x230

Following the completion of my BSc at the University of Leeds I went on to study for a PhD, working on a project investigating the post-translational regulation of the LDL receptor (LDLR) and its role in dyslipidaemia.  Central to this were cell biological and biophysical studies of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9).  PCSK9 is a serine protease that has recently been shown to modulate the LDLR receptor.  It is the third genetic locus for autosomal dominant hypercholesterolaemia (ADH) and has in recent years become an important target for the development of novel cholesterol lowering therapeutics.  The work carried out for my PhD involved the characterisation of the protein-protein interaction that PCSK9 forms with the LDLR and investigating various strategies for PCSK9 inhibition.

After completion of my PhD I moved to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire  to train as a Clinical Biochemist, a role that as well as providing formalised clinical scientist training has also allowed me to partake in a significant amount of research.

ISTM research theme: Clinical & Diagnostic Science

Research Interests:

  •          Assessment new diagnostic services within clinical biochemistry
  •          Investigations into the appropriate use of pathology testing
  •          Genetics of lipoprotein metabolism

 

Papers:

Duff, C.J. and Hooper, N.M. (2011). PCSK9: an emerging target for treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Expert Opin Ther Targets 15, 157-168.

Duff, C.J., Scott, M.J., Kirby, I.T., Hutchinson, S.E., Martin, S.L. and Hooper, N.M. (2009). Antibody-mediated disruption of the interaction between PCSK9 and the low-density lipoprotein receptor. Biochem J 419, 577-584.

Oral Presentations:

March 2010         PCSK9 Conference, Nantes, France. 

‘The development of small molecules to inhibit PCSK9 function’

July 2008              Gordon Research Conference: Proprotein Processing, Trafficking and Secretion, New Hampshire, USA. 

‘Inhibition of the PCSK9-LDLR interaction: A potential therapeutic strategy’

 

Professional Memberships:

The Association for Clinical Biochemistry