Dr Nikki Kuiper

Title: Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
Phone: +44 (0)1782 555229 (GHRC) or 734653 (MedSch)
Email:
Location: Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB United Kingdom
Role: ISTM research theme: Bioengineering & Therapeutics
Contacting me: Try my office or arrange an appointment by e-mail.

Year (date)

Position

Institution and location

2008-

 

Senior Lecturer

 

Medical School, Institute of Science & Technology in Medicine, University of Keele.

2003-2008

 

Lecturer

 

Medical School, Institute of Science & Technology in Medicine, University of Keele.

1999-2003

 

PDRA

 

Arthritis Research Centre, Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire.

1997-1999

 

PDRA

 

The Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Medical School, University of Manchester, Manchester.

1995-1997

PDRA

 

The Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA.

Nikki has developed an internationally recognised profile for research into the biology and pathology of chondrocytes and cartilage. She has expertise in a wide range of techniques for the analysis of cartilage glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and currently her lab is the only one in the UK to perform GAG profiling by the sensitive and discriminatory procedure; fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE). Her interest in GAGs and FACE has led to the application of novel technologies for the study of repair, native and engineered articular cartilage.

 

ISTM research theme: Bioengineering & Therapeutics

Selected Publications

  • Clarkin CE, Allen S, Kuiper NJ, Wheeler BT, Wheeler-Jones CP, Pitsillides AA. 2011. Regulation of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase is sufficient to modulate hyaluronan production and release, control sulfated GAG synthesis, and promote chondrogenesis. J Cell Physiol, vol. 226(3), 749-761. link> doi>
  • Nguyen BV, Wang QG, Kuiper NJ, El Haj AJ, Thomas CR, Zhang Z. 2010. Biomechanical properties of single chondrocytes and chondrons determined by micromanipulation and finite-element modelling. J R Soc Interface, vol. 7(53), 1723-1733. link> doi>
  • Wang QG, Hughes N, Cartmell SH, Kuiper NJ. 2010. The composition of hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering can influence glycosaminoglycan profile. Eur Cell Mater, vol. 19, 86-95. link>
  • Wang QG, Nguyen B, Thomas CR, Zhang Z, El Haj AJ, Kuiper NJ. 2010. Molecular profiling of single cells in response to mechanical force: comparison of chondrocytes, chondrons and encapsulated chondrocytes. Biomaterials, vol. 31(7), 1619-1625. link> doi>
  • Nguyen BV, Wang Q, Kuiper NJ, El Haj AJ, Thomas CR, Zhang Z. 2009. Strain-dependent viscoelastic behaviour and rupture force of single chondrocytes and chondrons under compression. Biotechnol Lett, vol. 31(6), 803-809. link> doi>

Full Publications List show

Journal Articles

  • Clarkin CE, Allen S, Kuiper NJ, Wheeler BT, Wheeler-Jones CP, Pitsillides AA. 2011. Regulation of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase is sufficient to modulate hyaluronan production and release, control sulfated GAG synthesis, and promote chondrogenesis. J Cell Physiol, vol. 226(3), 749-761. link> doi>
  • Nguyen BV, Wang QG, Kuiper NJ, El Haj AJ, Thomas CR, Zhang Z. 2010. Biomechanical properties of single chondrocytes and chondrons determined by micromanipulation and finite-element modelling. J R Soc Interface, vol. 7(53), 1723-1733. link> doi>
  • Wang QG, Hughes N, Cartmell SH, Kuiper NJ. 2010. The composition of hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering can influence glycosaminoglycan profile. Eur Cell Mater, vol. 19, 86-95. link>
  • Wang QG, Nguyen B, Thomas CR, Zhang Z, El Haj AJ, Kuiper NJ. 2010. Molecular profiling of single cells in response to mechanical force: comparison of chondrocytes, chondrons and encapsulated chondrocytes. Biomaterials, vol. 31(7), 1619-1625. link> doi>
  • Nguyen BV, Wang Q, Kuiper NJ, El Haj AJ, Thomas CR, Zhang Z. 2009. Strain-dependent viscoelastic behaviour and rupture force of single chondrocytes and chondrons under compression. Biotechnol Lett, vol. 31(6), 803-809. link> doi>
  • Whittaker RJ, Booth R, Dyson R, Bailey C, Parsons Chini L, Naire S, Payvandi S, Rong Z, Woollard H, Cummings LJ, Waters SL, Mawasse L, Chaudhuri JB, Ellis MJ, Michael V, Kuiper NJ, Cartmell S. 2009. Mathematical modelling of fibre-enhanced perfusion inside a tissue-engineering bioreactor. J Theor Biol, vol. 256(4), 533-546. link> doi>
  • Wang QG, Magnay JL, Nguyen B, Thomas CR, Zhang Z, El Haj AJ, Kuiper NJ. 2009. Gene expression profiles of dynamically compressed single chondrocytes and chondrons. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, vol. 379(3), 738-742. link> doi>
  • Wang QG, El Haj AJ, Kuiper NJ. 2008. Glycosaminoglycans in the pericellular matrix of chondrons and chondrocytes. J Anat, vol. 213(3), 266-273. link> doi>
  • Sharma A, Wood LD, Richardson JB, Roberts S, Kuiper NJ. 2007. Glycosaminoglycan profiles of repair tissue formed following autologous chondrocyte implantation differ from control cartilage. Arthritis Res Ther, vol. 9(4), R79. link> doi>
  • KUIPER NJ, Ashton B, Cartwright A. 2004. Effects of High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan on Chondrocytes Cultured within a Resorbable Gelatin Sponge. Tissue Engineering, vol. 10(3-4), 621-631. doi>
  • Bailey A, GOODSTONE NJ, Roberts S, Hughes J, ROBERTS S, van NIEKERK L, RICHARDSON J, REES D. 2003. Rehabilitation After Oswestry Autologous-Chondrocyte Implantation: The OsCell Protocol. Journal of Sports Rehabilitation, vol. 12(2), 104-118.
  • Goodstone NJ and Hardingham TE. 2002. Tumour necrosis factor alpha stimulates nitric oxide production more potently than interleukin-1beta in porcine articular chondrocytes. Rheumatology (Oxford), vol. 41(8), 883-891. link> doi>
  • Goodstone NJ, Hascall VC, Calabro A. 1998. Differential effects of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-hemolysin on the synthesis of hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate by rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes. Arch Biochem Biophys, vol. 350(1), 26-35. link> doi>
  • Goodstone NJ, Doran MC, Hobbs RN, Butler RC, Dixey JJ, Ashton BA. 1996. Cellular immunity to cartilage aggrecan core protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and non-arthritic controls. Ann Rheum Dis, vol. 55(1), 40-46. link> doi>
  • Doran MC, Goodstone NJ, Hobbs RN, Ashton BA. 1995. Cellular immunity to cartilage link protein in patients with inflammatory arthritis and non-arthritic controls. Ann Rheum Dis, vol. 54(6), 466-470. link> doi>
  • HOBBS R, GOODSTONE N, DORAN M, JONES C, MEE J, ASHTON B. 1992. AUTOIMMUNE RESPONSES TO ARTICULAR-CARTILAGE PROTEOGLYCAN CORE PROTEIN IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY AND NONINFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS. BRITISH JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY, vol. 31, 44. link>
  • HOBBS R, GOODSTONE N, DORAN M, ASHTON B. 1992. CELLULAR-IMMUNITY TO CARTILAGE LINK PROTEIN, HSP65 AND THE ARTHRITOGENIC NONAPEPTIDE IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY AND NONINFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS. BRITISH JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY, vol. 31, 44. link>
  • Goodstone NJ, Hobbs RN, Ashton BA. 1990. Responses of T-cells from patients with inflammatory arthritis to human cartilage antigens. Biochem Soc Trans, vol. 18(5), 955. link>

Chapters

  • Calabro A, Midura R, Hascall V, Plaas A, Goodstone NJ, Roden L. 2000. Biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronan. In Proteoglycans: Structure, Biology and Molecular Interactions. Iozzo RV (Ed.). New York, USA: Marcel Dekker Inc..
  • Hascall V, Fulop C, Salustri A, Goodstone NJ, Calabro A, Hogg M, Tammi R, Tammi M, Maccallum D. 1998. Metabolism of hyaluronan. In The chemistry, biology and medical applications of hyaluronan and its derivatives. Laurent TC (Ed.). (vol. 72). Portland Press.

Other

  • Hughes N, Cartmell SH, Kuiper NJ. 2009. Comparison of hydrogels for the optimal design of an osteochondral construct. International Journal of Experimental Pathology: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
  • Nguyen B, Zhang Z, Thomas C, Wang QG, Kuiper NJ, El Haj AJ. 2009. Mechanical properties of single chondrocytes and chondrons determined by microcompression technique and numerical modelling. Transactions (vol. 34, p. 323).
  • Wang QG, El Haj AJ, Kuiper NJ. 2008. Characterisation of the glycosaminoglycans in the pericellular matrix of chondrons and chondrocytes following enzymatic isolation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY (vol. 89, pp. A6-A7). link>
  • Wood LD, El Haj A, Harrison A, Kuiper NJ. 2008. Low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) increases extracellular matrix synthesis by chondrocytes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY (vol. 89, pp. A17-A18). link>
  • Sharma A, Wood LD, Richardson JB, Roberts S, Kuiper NJ. 2008. The glycosaminoglycan profiles of repair tissue formed following autologous chondrocyte implantation differs from control cartilage. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY (vol. 89, p. A23). link>
  • Kuiper NJ, Gabriel N, Griffiths S, Tew S. 2008. BSMB Autumn 2007 Meeting Report Shaping and Sensing the Extracellular Matrix. International Journal of Experimental Pathology: Wiley InterScience.
  • CARTMELL H, GITTINGS J, TURNER I, CHAUDURI J, ELLIS M, WATERS S, CUMMINGS L, KUIPER NJ, MICHAEL V. 2007. Bioreactor Design for Osteochondral Tissue. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (vol. 22, p. S162).
  • MICHAEL V, GITTINGS J, TURNER I, CHAUDURI J, ELLIS M, WATERS S, CUMMINGS L, GOODSTONE NJ, CARTMELL S. 2007. Co-culture bioreactor design for skeletal tissue engineering.
  • SHARMA A, RICHARDSON J, ROBERTS S, GOODSTONE N. 2006. Detailed analysis of glycosaminoglycans in an age-range of human cartilage biopsies. Transactions.
  • SHARMA A, RICHARDSON J, ROBERTS S, GOODSTONE N. 2006. Detailed analysis of glycosaminoglycans in human cartilage biopsies. Transactions (vol. 31, p. 1476).
  • GOODSTONE N, GARGIULO B, CARTWRIGHT A, ASHTON B. 2003. Effects of high molecular weight hyaluronan on chondrocytes cultured within Spongostan, a resorbable gelatin sponge. Transactions (vol. 20, p. 969).
  • Goodstone N, Gargiulo B, Cartwright A, Ashton B. 2003. Effects of high molecular weight hyaluronan on chondrocytes cultured within Spongostan, aresorbable gelatin sponge. 49th Annual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society.
  • Wang QG, Magnay J, Nguyen B, Thomas CR, Zhang Z, El Haj AJ, Kuiper NJ. 2009. The Relationship between Mechanical Forces and Gene Expression of Single Chondrocytes and Chondrons. Transactions (vol. 34, p. 297).
In the Medical School, Nikki delivers biomedical science teaching for Modules 1-3. She is the academic lead for the ‘Movement’ Unit in Module 2. She delivers post graduate teaching within the School of Health & Rehabilitation.

Research funding:        

2009-2014 £484,207 Arthritis Research UK Programme Grant. Developing and evaluating the use of cell implantation therapy for the repair of cartilage in osteoarthritis. Prof S Roberts (PI), JB.Richardson, NJ Kuiper, I McCall, E Johnson & JH Kuiper.

 2005-2011 £212,700 Ruth Kent Memorial Fund. Relief of osteoarthritis using tissue engineering strategies. NJ Kuiper & S Cartmell.        

2011 £10,000 Ruth Kent Memorial Fund. Can dietary supplementation improve ageing cartilage. NJ Kuiper

2005-2012 £216,888 BBSRC Doctoral Training Centre. Prof Alicia El Haj (PI) & ISTM group leads including NJ Kuiper

2005-2008 £382,912 EPSRC Project Grant. Micromechanical analysis of chondrocytes – the role of the pericellular matrix. NJ Kuiper and Prof Alicia El Haj incollaboration with Dr Z Zhang and Prof C Thomas, Chemical Engineering, Birmingham University

2004-2006 £92,323 Arthritis Research UK. A novel approach for characterising repair cartilage following human autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Nikki Kuiper & Prof James Richardson

2004-2007 £30,000 Smith & Nephew Plc   Nikki Kuiper

 

 

Society Membership:    

British Society for Matrix Biology (BSMB),

Tissue and Cellular Engineering Society (TCES),

Tissue and Cell Engineering Society International (TCESi),

The Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS)

 

Committee Roles:         

2006-09 elected to the BSMB committee