ISTM

I completed my BSc in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ulster, Coleraine in 2004. I subsequently undertook a PhD at the University of Ulster which examined the role of cellular communication in insulin secretion and developed a pseudoislet model to study the importance of gap junction mediated cell-to-cell contact in normal beta-cell function. In 2007, I began my post-doctoral career at Queen’s University of Belfast where I first worked on the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of retinal perfusion and blood pressure and the pathophysiological changes responsible for the disruption of retinal blood flow during early diabetes. I consequently moved onto to study NF-kB driven inflammation in the airways epithelium and the molecular mechanisms leading to dysfunction of these signalling pathways in inflammatory lung diseases such as Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis. I joined Keele as a Lecturer in Bioscience in February 2011.

ISTM research theme: Clinical & Diagnostic Science

My research interests are in inflammatory lung diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis and asthma and in particular, the molecular defects that lead to uncontrolled inflammation in these diseases. The work seeks to identify novel genetic predictors of inflammation in chronic airways disease at the earliest possible stage in an attempt to predict disease development and inform treatment regimes. A primary focus of the work is how the regulation of the NF-kB pathway is altered and how this contributes to disease progression and severity.

Kelly C, Shields MD, Elborn JS, Schock BC. (2011), A20 regulation of NF-kB: Perspectives for inflammatory lung disease. AJRCMB. E-pub

Kelly C, McClenaghan NH, Flatt PR. (2011). Role of islet structure and cellular interactions in the control of insulin secretion. Islets (In Press)

Kelly C, Williams MT, Elborn JS, Ennis M, Schock BC. (2010). A20 Regulation of Inflammation in the Cystic Fibrosis Epithelium. Pediatr Pulmonol 45(S33): 255

Kelly C, Buchanan PJ, Bingham A, Elborn JS, Schock BC. (2010). The role of Endo-Lysosomal degradation in Toll-Like Receptor driven inflammation in the CF epithelium. Pediatr Pulmonol 45(S33): 245

Kelly C, Guo H, McCluskey JT, Flatt PR, McClenaghan NH. (2010) Comparison of Insulin Release From MIN6 Pseudoislets and Pancreatic Islets of Langerhans Reveals Importance of Homotypic Cell Interactions. Pancreas. 39(7):1016-23.

Kelly C, Guo H, McCluskey JT, Flatt PR, McClenaghan NH. (2010) Establishment of a heterotypic pseudoislet model to study the role of glucagon and somatostatin-secreting cells on insulin release. Diabetes, Metabolism Research and Reviews. 6(7):525-33

Kelly C, Flatt PR, McClenaghan NH. (2010). Cell-to-cell communication and cellular environment alter the somatostatin status of delta cells. BBRC 399(2):162-166.

Persaud SJ, Arden C, Bergsten P, Bone AJ, Brown J, Dunmore S, Harrison M, Hauge-Evans A, Kelly C, King A, Maffucci T, Marriott CE, McClenaghan N, Morgan NG, Reers C, Russell MA, Turner MD, Willoughby E, Younis MYG, Zhi ZL, Jones PM (2010). Pseudoislets as primary islet replacements for research: Report on a symposium at King's College London, London UK. Islets 2(4): 236 - 239

Kelly C, Buchanan PJ, Bingham A, Elborn JS, Schock BC. (2009). Inhibition of A20 Signalling in cystic fibrosis epithelium. Pediatr Pulmonol s32, p232

Module 2 PBL Tutor for Keele MBChB Medical Degree.