Ella Maysami

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Biography

Having graduated from Melli University Bio/Medical Sciences and successfully completed diplomas in French, English and German Languages, Ella has embarked on an MSc in Molecular Genetics at Leicester University. Her PhD in Neuroscience was completed at the Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover in conjunction with the Medical University of Hannover. Before taking an appointment as a lecturer in neuroscience at Keele University, she worked as a research fellow (neuroscience) at the Legacy Health Research Hospital, Portland Oregon, USA and as a lecturer /researcher (neuroscience) at the University of Manchester, Manchester, UK where she completed a few translational research projects of which two have successfully been taken to clinical trials in stroke and schizophrenia.

Her research interest is in neuroinflammation, neuroregeneration and repair and she has investigated the role of progenitor cells, ion channels, inflammatory and small signalling molecules in diseases of the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s, pain and schizophrenia (in vitro as well as in vivo). Currently, she is affiliated with University of Sheffield and has analysed clinical data on diseases of the aging population i.e. dementia, cardiovascular disease and comorbidities using UK-BioBank.

She has a Fellowship in teaching from Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and teaches across L4 - L7 neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, and biomedical sciences; supervises undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and dissertations (L6 & L7); and leads the neuropharmacology (L5) and the special senses (L6) modules. She is the academic/personal tutor of over 30 students and has mentored undergraduates, post-graduates, junior lecturers and postdocs over the years of which some have become successful medics, MRC research fellows or EPSRC research fellows.

Ella is the Academic Tutor of (L6) third year neuroscience students, deputising for the programme director (neuroscience), and has been appointed as the Library Liaison for the School of Life Sciences (2020-21). She is an active member of ENERI (ethics) and has been the reviewing editor of Frontiers in molecular neuroscience, Frontiers in cellular neuroscience, Stroke, Archives of Medical Sciences, and Experimental Neurology since 2005.

Potential MSc or PhD candidate can contact her office to discuss.

Teaching

MSc/MPhil

PSY-40038 - Research Apprenticeship in Psychology (School of Psychology) (Lecturer)
PSY-40075 Advanced Study in Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience (School of Psychology) (Lecturer)
PTY-40010 - Physiology and pharmacology of pain (Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences ) (Lecturer)

Year 1

LSC-10047 Introduction to neuroscience: The Sense of Hearing and balance (Sem-2), Histology and imaging (Lab) (Lecturer)
LSC-10074 Physiology and Anatomy: The Nervous System (Sem-1), The Cardiovascular System (Sem-2) (Lecturer)

Year 2

LSC-20061 Neuropharmacology – (Module Lead/Manager & Lecturer)
LSC-20079 Neuroanatomy (Lecturer)
LSC-20078 Neuroscience Research Methods (lecturer)
LSC-20085 Cell Signalling - (contributor)
LSC-20107 Practical Skills in Bioscience (Lecturer)

Year 3

LSC-30053 Special Senses – (Module Lead/Manager & Lecturer)
LSC-30063 Diseases of Brain (Stroke; Schizophrenia; Diseases of Ventricles and Meninges) (Lecturer)
LSC-30042 Current Research Topics in Neuroscience (Neuroinflammation after stroke: New hope for stroke survivors? A journey from bench to bedside) (Lecturer)
LSC-30052 Behavioural Neuroscience (Chemical regulations of behaviour; Stress, fear, development and cognition; The Hypothalamic: regulation of appetites and thirst) (Lecturer)
LSC-30045 Life Sciences Double Experimental Project (Supervisor)
LSC-30050 Neuroscience Dissertation (Supervisor)
LSC-30015 The Biology of Disease (contributor)

Laboratory Project Students (2020-21):

Suldan Hassan
Xheni Prebibaj
Apisan Thuishyanthan
Nadine Hohn
Ahmad Arif
Darcey Paskin
Nila Ganeshamoorthy
Heera Tariq
Carla Simon

Laboratory Project Students (2019-20):

Sophie Douglas [Linkedin] - Postgraduate in Medical Microbiology at Keele Uni (2020-21)
Piraveenth Kenkarajah
James Rumball
Charlotte Goodman - Postgraduate in Cancer Research and Molecular Biomedicine at Uni of Manchester (2020-21)

Dissertation Students (2019-20):

Alina Khan - Clinical Trials Technician at Synexus
Luke Doughty - Postgraduate in Molecular Neuroscience at Bristol Uni (2020-21)
Simon Johnson

Selected Publications

Orset C, Haelewyn B, Allan SM, Ansar S, Campos F, Cho TH, Durand A, El Amki M, Fatar M, Garcia-Yébenes I, Gauberti M, Grudzenski S, Lizasoain I, Lo E, Macrez R, Margaill I, Maysami S, Meairs S, Nighoghossian N, Orbe J, Paramo JA, Parienti J-J, Rothwell NJ, Rubio M, Waeber C, Young AR, Touzé E, Vivien D. 2016. Efficacy of Alteplase in a Mouse Model of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Retrospective Pooled Analysis. Stroke, 1312-1318, vol. 47(5). link> doi>
Maysami S, Wong R, Pradillo JM, Denes A, Dhungana H, Malm T, Koistinaho J, Orset C, Rahman M, Rubio M, Schwaninger M, Vivien D, Bath PM, Rothwell NJ, Allan SM. 2016. A cross-laboratory preclinical study on the effectiveness of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in stroke. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 596-605, vol. 36(3). link> doi> full text>
Neill J, Harte M, Grayson B, Maysami S, Williams S, Mckie S, Deakin B, Leger M, Cunningham M, LeBeau F, Gillougley C, Tarazi F, Alvaro G, Large C. 2015. Development of AUT00206, a Novel and Selective Kv3 Channel Modulator for the Treatment of Schizophrenia. NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (pp. S205-S206, vol. 40). link>
Maysami S, Haley MJ, Gorenkova N, Krishnan S, McColl BW, Lawrence CB. 2015. Prolonged diet-induced obesity in mice modifies the inflammatory response and leads to worse outcome after stroke. J Neuroinflammation, 140, vol. 12. link> doi> full text>
Large C, Leger M, Harte M, Gillougley C, Maysami S, McKie S, LeBeau F, Cunningham M, Williams S, Alvaro G, Neill J. 2015. KV3 MODULATORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA. SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN (p. S319, vol. 41). link>

Full Publications Listshow

Journal Articles

Orset C, Haelewyn B, Allan SM, Ansar S, Campos F, Cho TH, Durand A, El Amki M, Fatar M, Garcia-Yébenes I, Gauberti M, Grudzenski S, Lizasoain I, Lo E, Macrez R, Margaill I, Maysami S, Meairs S, Nighoghossian N, Orbe J, Paramo JA, Parienti J-J, Rothwell NJ, Rubio M, Waeber C, Young AR, Touzé E, Vivien D. 2016. Efficacy of Alteplase in a Mouse Model of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Retrospective Pooled Analysis. Stroke, 1312-1318, vol. 47(5). link> doi>
Maysami S, Wong R, Pradillo JM, Denes A, Dhungana H, Malm T, Koistinaho J, Orset C, Rahman M, Rubio M, Schwaninger M, Vivien D, Bath PM, Rothwell NJ, Allan SM. 2016. A cross-laboratory preclinical study on the effectiveness of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in stroke. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 596-605, vol. 36(3). link> doi> full text>
Maysami S, Haley MJ, Gorenkova N, Krishnan S, McColl BW, Lawrence CB. 2015. Prolonged diet-induced obesity in mice modifies the inflammatory response and leads to worse outcome after stroke. J Neuroinflammation, 140, vol. 12. link> doi> full text>
Rodriguez-Grande B, Swana M, Nguyen L, Englezou P, Maysami S, Allan SM, Rothwell NJ, Garlanda C, Denes A, Pinteaux E. 2014. The acute-phase protein PTX3 is an essential mediator of glial scar formation and resolution of brain edema after ischemic injury. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 480-488, vol. 34(3). link> doi>
Leow-Dyke S, Allen C, Denes A, Nilsson O, Maysami S, Bowie AG, Rothwell NJ, Pinteaux E. 2012. Neuronal Toll-like receptor 4 signaling induces brain endothelial activation and neutrophil transmigration in vitro. J Neuroinflammation, 230, vol. 9. link> doi> full text>
Lin J, Chu X, Maysami S, Li M, Si H, Cottrell JE, Simon RP, Xiong Z. 2011. Inhibition of acid sensing ion channel currents by lidocaine in cultured mouse cortical neurons. Anesth Analg, 977-981, vol. 112(4). link> doi>
Maysami S, Lan JQ, Minami M, Simon RP. 2008. Proliferating progenitor cells: a required cellular element for induction of ischemic tolerance in the brain. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 1104-1113, vol. 28(6). link> doi>
Pignataro G, Maysami S, Studer FE, Wilz A, Simon RP, Boison D. 2008. Downregulation of hippocampal adenosine kinase after focal ischemia as potential endogenous neuroprotective mechanism. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 17-23, vol. 28(1). link> doi>
Maysami S, Nguyen D, Zobel F, Heine S, Höpfner M, Stangel M. 2006. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells express a functional chemokine receptor CCR3: implications for myelination. J Neuroimmunol, 17-23, vol. 178(1-2). link> doi>
Heine S, Ebnet J, Maysami S, Stangel M. 2006. Effects of interferon-beta on oligodendroglial cells. J Neuroimmunol, 173-180, vol. 177(1-2). link> doi>
Maysami S, Nguyen D, Zobel F, Pitz C, Heine S, Höpfner M, Stangel M. 2006. Modulation of rat oligodendrocyte precursor cells by the chemokine CXCL12. Neuroreport, 1187-1190, vol. 17(11). link> doi>

Chapters

Maysami S and Stangel M. 2004. Chapter 4 - Treatment Approaches Toward Remyelination In Multiple Sclerosis (pp. 65-87). In Treatment and Management of Multiple Sclerosis. Columbus F (Ed.). Nova Publishers. link>
Orset C, Le Béhot A, Bonnet A-L, Maysami S, Vivien D. Mouse Model of In Situ Thromboembolic Stroke and Reperfusion. In Rodent Models of Stroke. Dirnagl U (Ed.). Humana Press, New York, NY: Springer. doi> link>

Other

Neill J, Harte M, Grayson B, Maysami S, Williams S, Mckie S, Deakin B, Leger M, Cunningham M, LeBeau F, Gillougley C, Tarazi F, Alvaro G, Large C. 2015. Development of AUT00206, a Novel and Selective Kv3 Channel Modulator for the Treatment of Schizophrenia. NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (pp. S205-S206, vol. 40). link>
Large C, Leger M, Harte M, Gillougley C, Maysami S, McKie S, LeBeau F, Cunningham M, Williams S, Alvaro G, Neill J. 2015. KV3 MODULATORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA. SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN (p. S319, vol. 41). link>
Stangel M, Lindner M, Pitz C, Heine S, Maysami S. 2005. Expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 during remyelination and its influence on oligodendrocytes. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (p. S136, vol. 11). link>

Collaborations and grants awards

Dec 2020 (UK)

MRC - UKRI World Class Laboratories (WCL) Grant

Co-applicant (Dr Melissa Bowerman; Professor Divya Chari; Dr Stuart Jenkins; Dr Chris Adams; Dr Stefanie Jones; Dr Ruoli Chen; Dr Simon Trent; Dr Ella Maysami)

Amount £68K (excl. VAT)

Sep 2015 (UK)

Social Responsibility Award
In recognition of public engagement activities (University of Manchester)

Sep 2018 (UK)

Social Responsibility Award

In recognition of public engagement activities (University of Manchester)

Sep 2011 (UK)

Research Staff Association Award
Hosting a Cross-disciplinary conference at University of Manchester

Co-applicant (Dr Kassandra Papadopoulou; Dr Sarah King-Hele; Dr Samaneh Maysami, Isabelle Darmon)

Amount £2K

Sep 2007 (USA)

Legacy Health Research Hospital RAC Grant
PI: Investigating the role of inflammatory molecules in ischemic stroke

Amount $8K

Sep 2005 (Italy)

Symbionic - Conference Grant

Amount €1K

Memberships

She is an active member of European Network of Research Ethics and Research Integrity” (ENERI)
2015 - current Reviewer of Frontiers Neuroscience: Critical appraisal (Neuroscience)
2018 - current Reviewer of Stroke 2018: Critical appraisal (Neuroscience)
2005 - current Reviewer of Archives of Medical Sciences: Critical appraisal (Medicine)
2005 - current Reviewer of Experimental Neurology: Critical appraisal (Neuroscience)

Other affiliations:

University of Sheffield (Health Informatics, School of Social Sciences)
Society for Neuroscience (SFN)
Federation of European NeuroScience (FENs)
German Neuroscience Society (NWG)
School Governor at Ashgate Specialist Support Primary School in Manchester
STEM Ambassador at MOSI in Manchester

Research Opportunities

The following research projects are available to prospective MSc or PhD students. Click on each project to read more:

Project 1 - Evaluating the contributing factors in psychological disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders ...

Project 2 - Evaluating the contributing factors in dementia among the UK’s aging population.

Project 3 - Evaluating the effect of drugs and small molecules on neuronal and glial cells.

Project 4 - Evaluating the effects of drugs/ small molecules on rodents’ behaviour.

If you wish to complete your PhD in Ella's lab you can apply for PhD studentship at https://www.brainresearchuk.org.uk/research/apply/phd-studentship - the funding is available to home and overseas student applicants at UK/EU level. If you have a specific project in mind, please approach her to discuss. Note that the deadline for this scholarship is fast approaching (5th Nov 2020) - (last update on 24th Sep 2020).