ISTM

Current Position:

Research Associate, 2006 – present

ISTM, Keele University.

Conducting research investigating the role of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis.

Education:

Ph.D., Keele University, 2000 – 2005

Thesis title: ”Tumour necrosis factor and its receptors in rheumatoid arthritis: Relationship between gene polymorphism, cytokine production and disease outcome”.

B.Sc., Keele University, 1997 – 2000

Biochemistry and Biology (dual honours), First Class.

ISTM research theme: Clinical & Diagnostic Science

My research focuses on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation and progressive destruction of the synovial joints. The disease ultimately leads to permanent loss of function and disability. The exact cause of RA is unknown, although it is believed to develop through the complex interaction of various environmental and genetic factors.

A small but growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence may also be important in RA pathogenesis. Currently, I am specifically interested in DNA methylation, one of the principle epigenetic processes. In RA, aberrant methylation may contribute to the persistent over-expression of mediators that promote inflammation, whilst suppressing those which redress inflammation, thereby co-ordinately instructing chronic inflammation and joint destruction. By assessing DNA methylation in multiple cell types using new technologies capable of simultaneously interrogating multiple genes at single nucleotide resolution, this work will define genome-wide cell type-specific DNA methylation signatures for RA. Gene and protein expression analyses being conducted in parallel will engender a more comprehensive understanding of the regulatory actions of DNA methylation in these cells. In concert, the data generated from these studies will be valuable to our understanding of the role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis and joint destruction of RA.

Glossop JR, Dawes PT, Mattey DL. Antinuclear antibodies are associated with tumor necrosis factor receptor I gene polymorphism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin. Exp. Rheumatol. 2011. In Press.

Glossop JR, Cartmell SH. Tensile strain and magnetic particle force application do not induce MAP3K8 and IL1B differential gene expression in a similar manner to fluid shear stress in human mesenchymal stem cells. J. Tissue Eng. Regen. Med. 2010;4:577-9.

Glossop JR, Cartmell SH. Differential gene expression of integrins alpha 2 and beta 8 in human mesenchymal stem cells exposed to fluid flow. Cell. Mol. Bioeng. 2009;2:544-53.

Glossop JR, Cartmell SH. Effect of fluid flow-induced shear stress on human mesenchymal stem cells: differential gene expression of IL1B and MAP3K8 in MAPK signaling. Gene Expr. Patterns 2009;9:381-8.

Mattey DL, Glossop JR, Nixon NB, Dawes PT. Circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor receptors are highly predictive of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;56:3940-8.

Glossop JR, Dawes PT, Mattey DL. Association between cigarette smoking and release of tumor necrosis factor alpha and its soluble receptors by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2006;45:1223-9.

Glossop JR, Dawes PT, Nixon NB, Mattey DL. Polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor receptor II gene is associated with circulating soluble receptor levels in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res. Ther. 2005;7:R1227-34.

Glossop JR, Dawes PT, Hassell AB, Mattey DL. Anaemia in rheumatoid arthritis: Association with polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor receptor I and II genes. J. Rheumatol. 2005;32:1673-8.

Glossop JR, Nixon NB, Dawes PT, Hassell AB, Mattey DL. No association of polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor receptor I and receptor II genes with disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis. J. Rheumatol. 2003;30:1406-9.

Glossop JR, et al. 6 published abstracts, 2003-2009.

M.Sc. in Cell and Tissue Engineering/Biomedical Engineering, 2006 – present

Module Co-ordinator, ‘Molecular Techniques: Applications in Tissue Engineering’ (2008 – present)

I am responsible for the design, delivery and management of the module. This includes preparing and delivering lectures, a practical demonstration and tutorials, arranging guest lecturers, devising and marking module assessments (essay and exam), and managing content delivery through the online Keele Learning Environment.

Module Lecturer, ‘Cell and Tissue Engineering’ (2006 – present).

Module Lecturer, ‘Molecular Techniques: Applications in Tissue Engineering’ (2006 – 2008).