Divya Chari

Biography

Employment history

Professor of Neural Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences), Keele University (2015- )

Full Member, Cellular and Neural Engineering Group, Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine.
Lead for Medical Intercalated Degrees & Co-Lead - ASPIRE (formerly INSPIRE) medical research programme (established with support from North Staffordshire Medical Institute, Academy of Medical Sciences & Wellcome Trust.
Director of Internationalisation, School of Medicine.
Neural Tissue Engineering Keele (NTEK)

Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences), Keele University (2011-14)

Full Research member, Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University.

Lecturer, School of Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences), Keele University (2007-11).

Full Research member, Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University.

Junior Fellow-Multiple Sclerosis Society, UK, Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge University (2003-07)

Research Associate, Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge University (Wellcome Trust funded) (2000-03)

D.Phil “Cell Genesis in Hamster Cortex”, Oxford University, Wadham College, 2000, funded by an international scholarship.

MSc Medical Physiology All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, First Class, 1996

BSc (Hons) in Human Biology (Physiology) AIIMS, New Delhi, First Class, 1994

Research and scholarship

Research theme: Regenerative Medicine

Research group: Neural Tissue Engineering Keele (NTEK)

Research interests:

Stem cell sprays for neurological injuries.
Development of electroactive hybrid materials for neural repair.
Use of novel biomedical engineering strategies such as magnetic nanoparticles, implantable hydrogels and neural cell seeded polymer scaffolds to promote neural regeneration.
Development of in vitro neural injury models to reduce reliance on live animal experiments.
Investigation into the molecular effects of immunotherapies on neural development.

We collaborate widely and currently use a combination of methods for these studies including:

3D printing and bioelectronics with Dr Shery Huang and Prof George Malliaras, Cambridge Nanoscience Centre.
Isolated neural cell culture (primary cultures of neural stem cells, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, olfactory ensheathing cells, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and neurons).
Microarray, proteomic and bioinformatic analysis of drug and nanoparticle treated neural cells for safety testing (with Prof Richard Emes, Director Advanced Data Analysis centre, Nottingham University; Dr Sarah Hart, Keele Proteomics unit).
Electrophysiological recordings from neural cells grown in implantable, neuromimetic matrices (with Dr Michael Evans, Keele University).
TEM to monitor intracellular nanoparticle fate, and development of novel, high throughput and high resolution SEM methods to examine neural cell-nanomaterial interactions (with Prof David Furness, Director, Keele University Electron Microscopy Unit).
Testing and characterising novel nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging and gene delivery in neural transplant populations (with Dr Boris Polyak, Drexel University; Dr Humphrey Yiu, Heriot Watt University, Prof Jean Paul Llellouche, Bar Ilan University, Israel; Prof Harish Poptani, Liverpool University Preclinical Imaging Centre and nanoTherics Ltd) used with state of the art static and oscillating field ‘magnetofection’ techniques.
In vivo models of CNS injury in the adult and neonatal brain and spinal cord (demyelination and transection) with cell transplantation.
Testing functionalised implantable materials to promote regeneration in neurological injury (with Dr Nicolas Granger, Bristol University, Dr Paul Roach, Keele University, Prof Robin Franklin, Cambridge University and BioGel X Ltd).
Development of in vitro models of neurological injury models (including human tissue) to reduce reliance on live animal experiments (with Dr Niko Tserakis and Mr Jon Sen, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of North Midlands).

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Journal covers from the Chari laboratory. MNP labelled, transplanted astrocytes integrated into organotypic cerebellar slice circuitry (Top left). Glucocorticoid receptor expression in neural cells (Top middle). Purified oligodendrocytes used for magnetic nanoparticle based transfection (Top right). Schematic of myelin genesis and influence of corticosteroids (Bottom left). MNP mediated gene delivery in a multicellular neural model (Bottom middle). Glucocortocoid receptor expression in neural stem cells and their progeny (bottom right).

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Dense 3-D network of magnetic nanoparticle (red) labelled strocytes (green) growing through the depth of a hydrogel, 37 days of cell growth intragel, photo Jacki Tickle	Rodent neural stem cells genetically engineered using nanoparticles functionalised with minicircle DNA vectors, photo Alinda Fernandes
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Canine olfactory ensheathing cells (transplant population) genetically engineered using functionalised magnetic nanoparticles. Target protein (green), photo Alexander Delaney	Microglia in a spinal cord slice transecting injury site showing avid loading and competitive uptake of nanoparticles (red) versus slice astrocytes (green). Nuclei in blue, photo Alan Weightman
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Reduction in EdU labelled proliferating cells (green) in corticosteroid treated neurospheres versus vehicle treated control spheres (left). Nestin (red) and DAPI (blue), photo Rawaa Saleem Al Mayyahi
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Single cell electrical recording from a nanoengineered primary cortical neuron, photo Arwa Shakli and Mike Evans	Astrocytes aligning on polymer nanofibres embedded in hydrogel, photo Divya Chari

Further information

External roles:

Core Member - Committee C (Genes, development and STEM* approaches to biology), British Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (2017-2020).
Member - Associate Peer Review College, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Member - Grants Advisory Committee, International Spinal Research Trust.
Member - Pool of experts, British Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (2015-17).
Member - Editorial Board, Midlands Medicine.

Selected Publications

Basit RH, Tzerakis N, Jenkins SI, Chari DM. 2021. In vitro model of traumatic brain injury to screen neuro-regenerative biomaterials. Materials Science and Engineering: C, Article 112253, vol. 128. doi> link> full text>
Woods WA, Chowdhury F, Tzerakis N, Adams CF, Chari DM. 2021. Developing A New Strategy for Delivery of Neural Transplant Populations using Precursor Cell Sprays and Specialised Cell Media. Advanced NanoBiomed Research, 2100051. link> doi> link> full text>
Mogas Barcons A, Chari DM, Adams CF. 2021. Enhancing the regenerative potential of stem cell-laden, clinical-grade implants through laminin engineering. Materials Science and Engineering: C, Article 111931, vol. 123. doi> link> full text>
Prager J, Ito D, Carwardine DR, Jiju P, Chari DM, Granger N, Wong L-F. 2021. Delivery of chondroitinase by canine mucosal olfactory ensheathing cells alongside rehabilitation enhances recovery after spinal cord injury. Experimental Neurology, 113660, vol. 340. doi> link> full text>
P Yiu HH and Chari DM. 2020. How can nanoparticles help neural cell transplantation therapy?. Nanomedicine, Article nnm-2020-0279. link> doi> link> full text>

Full Publications Listshow

Journal Articles

Basit RH, Tzerakis N, Jenkins SI, Chari DM. 2021. In vitro model of traumatic brain injury to screen neuro-regenerative biomaterials. Materials Science and Engineering: C, Article 112253, vol. 128. doi> link> full text>
Woods W, Evans D, Mogas Barcons A, Tzerakis N, Adams C, Maitreyi Chari D. 2021. Stem cell sprays for neurological injuries: a perspective. Emerging Topics in Life Sciences. doi> link> full text>
Woods WA, Chowdhury F, Tzerakis N, Adams CF, Chari DM. 2021. Developing A New Strategy for Delivery of Neural Transplant Populations using Precursor Cell Sprays and Specialised Cell Media. Advanced NanoBiomed Research, 2100051. link> doi> link> full text>
Mogas Barcons A, Chari DM, Adams CF. 2021. Enhancing the regenerative potential of stem cell-laden, clinical-grade implants through laminin engineering. Materials Science and Engineering: C, Article 111931, vol. 123. doi> link> full text>
Prager J, Ito D, Carwardine DR, Jiju P, Chari DM, Granger N, Wong L-F. 2021. Delivery of chondroitinase by canine mucosal olfactory ensheathing cells alongside rehabilitation enhances recovery after spinal cord injury. Experimental Neurology, 113660, vol. 340. doi> link> full text>
P Yiu HH and Chari DM. 2020. How can nanoparticles help neural cell transplantation therapy?. Nanomedicine, Article nnm-2020-0279. link> doi> link> full text>
Prager J, Adams CF, Delaney AM, Chanoit G, Tarlton JF, Wong L-F, Chari DM, Granger N. 2020. Stiffness-matched biomaterial implants for cell delivery: clinical, intraoperative ultrasound elastography provides a 'target' stiffness for hydrogel synthesis in spinal cord injury. J Tissue Eng, 2041731420934806, vol. 11. link> doi> full text>
Finch L, Harris S, Solomou G, Sen J, Tzerakis N, Emes RD, Lane CS, Hart SR, Adams CF, Chari DM. 2020. Safe nanoengineering and incorporation of transplant populations in a neurosurgical grade biomaterial, DuraGen PlusTM, for protected cell therapy applications. J Control Release, 553-563, vol. 321. link> doi> full text>
Evans MG, Al-Shakli A, Chari DM. 2019. Electrophysiological properties of neurons grown on soft polymer scaffolds reveal the potential to develop neuromimetic culture environments. Integr Biol (Camb), 395-403, vol. 11(11). link> doi> full text>
Hider S, Seale B, Vivekanatham A, Woods W, Chari D. 2019. INSPIRing medical undergraduates to do research: the career impacts of a summer studentship programme. The British Student Doctor Journal, 2, vol. 3(2). doi> link> full text>
Tickle JA and Chari DM. 2019. Less is more: Investigating the influence of cellular nanoparticle load on transfection outcomes in neural cells. J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 1732-1737, vol. 13(9). link> doi> full text>
Finch L, Adams C, Sen J, Tickle J, Tzerakis N, Chari DM. 2019. Neurosurgical grade biomaterial, DuraGenTM, offers a promising matrix for protected delivery of neural stem cells in clinical cell therapies. Future Healthc J, 76, vol. 6(Suppl 1). link> doi>
Adams CF, Delaney AM, Carwardine DR, Tickle J, Granger N, Chari DM. 2019. Nanoparticle-Based Imaging of Clinical Transplant Populations Encapsulated in Protective Polymer Matrices. Macromol Biosci, e1800389, vol. 19(2). link> doi> full text>
Tickle JA, Poptani H, Taylor A, Chari DM. 2018. Noninvasive imaging of nanoparticle-labeled transplant populations within polymer matrices for neural cell therapy. Nanomedicine (Lond), 1333-1348, vol. 13(11). link> doi>
Al-Mayyahi RS, Sterio LD, Connolly JB, Adams CF, Al-Tumah WA, Sen J, Emes RD, Hart SR, Chari DM. 2018. A proteomic investigation into mechanisms underpinning corticosteroid effects on neural stem cells. Mol Cell Neurosci, 30-40, vol. 86. link> doi> full text>
Adams CF, Sen J, Tickle JA, Tzerakis N, Chari DM. 2017. Developing human dish models of neurological pathology. Midlands Medicine. full text>
Morris AR, Davis O, Chari DM. 2017. The internationalisation programme at Keele University School of Medicine. Midlands Medicine.
Delaney AM, Adams CF, Fernandes AR, Al-Shakli AF, Sen J, Carwardine DR, Granger N, Chari DM. 2017. A fusion of minicircle DNA and nanoparticle delivery technologies facilitates therapeutic genetic engineering of autologous canine olfactory mucosal cells. Nanoscale, 8560-8566, vol. 9(25). link> doi>
Evans MG, Al-Shakli A, Jenkins SI, Chari DM. 2017. Electrophysiological assessment of primary cortical neurons genetically engineered using iron oxide nanoparticles. NANO RESEARCH, 2881-2890, vol. 10(8). link> doi> full text>
Pickard MR, Adams CF, Chari DM. 2017. Magnetic Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Delivery to Two- and Three-Dimensional Neural Stem Cell Cultures: Magnet-Assisted Transfection and Multifection Approaches to Enhance Outcomes. Curr Protoc Stem Cell Biol, 2D.19.1-2D.19.16, vol. 40. link> doi> full text>
Adams CF, Dickson AW, Kuiper J-H, Chari DM. 2016. Nanoengineering neural stem cells on biomimetic substrates using magnetofection technology. Nanoscale, 17869-17880, vol. 8(41). link> doi> full text>
Fernandes AR and Chari DM. 2016. Part II: Functional Delivery of a Neurotherapeutic Gene to Neural Stem Cells using Minicircle DNA and Nanoparticles: Translational advantages for Regenerative Neurology. Journal of Controlled Release. doi> link> full text>
Fernandes AR and Chari DM. 2016. Part I: Minicircle vector technology limits DNA size restrictions on ex vivo gene delivery using nanoparticle vectors: Overcoming a translational barrier in neural stem cell therapy. Journal of Controlled Release. doi> full text>
Adams C, Israel LL, Ostrovsky S, Taylor A, Poptani H, Lellouche J-P, Chari D. 2016. Development of Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoparticles for Genetic Engineering and Tracking of Neural Stem Cells. Adv Healthc Mater, 841-849, vol. 5(7). link> doi>
Jenkins SI, Weinberg D, Al-Shakli AF, Fernandes AR, Yiu HHP, Telling ND, Roach P, Chari DM. 2016. 'Stealth' nanoparticles evade neural immune cells but also evade major brain cell populations: Implications for PEG-based neurotherapeutics. J Control Release, 136-145, vol. 224. link> doi> full text>
Adams C, Israel LL, Ostrovsky S, Taylor A, Poptani H, Lellouche J-P, Chari D. 2016. Development of Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoparticles for Genetic Engineering and Tracking of Neural Stem Cells. ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS, 841-849, vol. 5(7). link> doi>
Tickle J, Jenkins SI, Polyak B, Pickard MR, Chari DM. 2016. Endocytotic potential governs magnetic particle loading in dividing neural cells: Studying modes of particle inheritance. Nanomedicine, 348-358, vol. 11(4). doi> full text>
Weightman AP, Jenkins SI, Chari DM. 2016. Using a 3-D multicellular simulation of spinal cord injury with live cell imaging to study the neural immune barrier to nanoparticle uptake. Nano Research. doi> link> full text>
Weinberg D, Adams CF, Chari DM. 2015. Deploying clinical grade magnetic nanoparticles with magnetic fields to magnetolabel neural stem cells in adherent versus suspension cultures. RSC ADVANCES, 43353-43360, vol. 5(54). link> doi> full text>
Pickard MR, Adams CF, Barraud P, Chari DM. 2015. Using magnetic nanoparticles for gene transfer to neural stem cells: stem cell propagation method influences outcomes. J Funct Biomater, 259-276, vol. 6(2). link> doi> full text>
Jenkins SI, Roach P, Chari DM. 2015. Development of a nanomaterial bio-screening platform for neurological applications. Nanomedicine, 77-87, vol. 11(1). link> doi> full text>
Fernandes AR, Adams CF, Furness DN, Chari DM. 2015. Early Membrane Responses to Magnetic Particles are Predictors of Particle Uptake in Neural Stem Cells. PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION, 661-667, vol. 32(6). link> doi>
Jenkins SI, Yiu HHP, Rosseinsky MJ, Chari DM. 2014. Magnetic nanoparticles for oligodendrocyte precursor cell transplantation therapies: progress and challenges. Mol Cell Ther, 23, vol. 2. link> doi> full text>
Adams CF, Rai A, Sneddon G, Yiu HHP, Polyak B, Chari DM. 2015. Increasing magnetite contents of polymeric magnetic particles dramatically improves labeling of neural stem cell transplant populations. Nanomedicine, 19-29, vol. 11(1). link> doi>
Tickle JA, Jenkins SI, Pickard MR, Chari DM. 2014. Influence of amplitude of oscillating magnetic fields on magnetic nanoparticle-mediated gene transfer to astrocytes. nanoLife. doi>
Chari DM. 2014. How do corticosteroids influence myelin genesis in the central nervous system?. Neural Regen Res, 909-911, vol. 9(9). link> doi>
Chari DM and Hider S. 2014. Developing the Keele Medical Research Pathway: Challenges For a Young Medical School. Midlands Medicine, 140, vol. 27(3).
News and Views: Spinal cord injury model (Feature on a materials screening model developed by Chari laboratory). Alternatives to Laboratory Animals.
2014. News and Views: Spinal cord injury model (Feature on a materials screening model developed by Chari laboratory). Alternatives To Laboratory Animals; ATLA, vol. 42(1).
Weightman AP, Jenkins SI, Pickard MR, Chari DM, Yang Y. 2013. Alignment of multiple glial cell populations in 3D nanofiber scaffolds: toward the development of multicellular implantable scaffolds for repair of neural injury. (*Joint senior author). Image featured on MRC forum Biomedical Picture of the Day (BPoD) in Nanobiotechnology Week http://bpod.mrc.ac.uk/archive/2014/4/4. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, 291-295, vol. 2(10). doi>
Jenkins SI, Pickard MR, Khong M, Smith HL, Mann CLA, Emes RD, Chari DM. 2014. Identifying the cellular targets of drug action in the central nervous system following corticosteroid therapy. ACS Chem Neurosci, 51-63, vol. 5(1). link> doi> full text>
Weightman AP, Pickard MR, Yang Y, Chari DM. 2014. An in vitro spinal cord injury model to screen neuroregenerative materials. Also see News and Views: Spinal cord injury model (Feature on the screening model developed by Chari laboratory). 2014. Alternatives To Laboratory Animals (ATLA; published by Fund For Reduction of Animals in Medical Experiments; FRAME). 42: 1. BIOMATERIALS, 3756-3765, vol. 35(12). link> doi>
Fernandes AR and Chari DM. 2014. A multicellular, neuro-mimetic model to study nanoparticle uptake in cells of the central nervous system. Integr Biol (Camb), 855-861, vol. 6(9). link> doi>
Adams CF, Pickard MR, Chari DM. 2013. Magnetic nanoparticle mediated transfection of neural stem cell suspension cultures is enhanced by applied oscillating magnetic fields. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, 737-741, vol. 9(6). link> doi>
Jenkins SI, Pickard MR, Furness DN, Yiu HHP, Chari DM. 2013. Differences in magnetic particle uptake by CNS neuroglial subclasses: implications for neural tissue engineering. Nanomedicine (Lond), 951-968, vol. 8(6). link> doi> full text>
Jenkins SI, Pickard MR, Chari DM. 2012. Magnetic nanoparticle mediated gene delivery in oligodendroglial cells: a comparison of differentiated versus precursor forms. NanoLIFE, vol. 3(1243001).
Weightman A, Pickard M, Jenkins S, Chari D, Yang Y. 2012. Development of 3D co-culture of aligned glial cells in nanofibre scaffolds for implantation into neural injury sites. JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, 88-89, vol. 6. link>
Yiu HH, Pickard MR, Olariu CI, Williams SR, Chari DM, Rosseinsky MJ. 2012. Fe3O4-PEI-RITC magnetic nanoparticles with imaging and gene transfer capability: development of a tool for neural cell transplantation therapies.(Joint senior author). Also see Putting the Nanoscience in Neuroscience: Magnetic attraction (Feature on research in the Chari laboratory).2012. British Neuroscience Association Bulletin. Issue no 66, p12. http://www.bna.org.uk/about/bna-bulletin.html. Pharm Res, 1328-1343, vol. 29(5). link> doi>
Jenkins SI, Pickard MR, Granger N, Chari DM. 2011. Magnetic nanoparticle-mediated gene transfer to oligodendrocyte precursor cell transplant populations is enhanced by magnetofection strategies. ACS Nano, 6527-6538, vol. 5(8). link> doi>
Chari DM. Transcriptional effects of corticosteroid therapy on myelin genesis and neuronal health. Midlands Medicine. Midlands Medicine, vol. 26(3).
Pickard MR, Barraud P, Chari DM. 2011. The transfection of multipotent neural precursor/stem cell transplant populations with magnetic nanoparticles. Biomaterials, 2274-2284, vol. 32(9). link> doi>
Pickard MR, Jenkins SI, Koller CJ, Furness DN, Chari DM. 2011. Magnetic nanoparticle labeling of astrocytes derived for neural transplantation. Tissue Eng Part C Methods, 89-99, vol. 17(1). link> doi>
Pickard MR and Chari DM. 2010. Robust uptake of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) by central nervous system (CNS) microglia: implications for particle uptake in mixed neural cell populations. Int J Mol Sci, 967-981, vol. 11(3). link> doi> full text>
Pickard M and Chari D. 2010. Enhancement of magnetic nanoparticle-mediated gene transfer to astrocytes by 'magnetofection': effects of static and oscillating fields. Nanomedicine (Lond), 217-232, vol. 5(2). link> doi>
Pickard M and Chari D. 2010. Enhancement of magnetic nanoparticle-mediated gene transfer to astrocytes by 'magnetofection': effects of static and oscillating fields. Nanomedicine (London), 217-232, vol. 5(2). doi>
Pickard M and Chari DM. 2010. Enhancement of magnetic nanoparticle-mediated gene transfer to astrocytes by `magnetofection': effects of static and oscillating fields. Nanomedicine, 217-232, vol. 5(2). doi>
Jeffery ND, McBain SC, Dobson J, Chari DM. 2009. Uptake of systemically administered magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in areas of experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 153-157, vol. 3(2). link> doi>
Chari DM. 2007. Remyelination in multiple sclerosis. Int Rev Neurobiol, 589-620, vol. 79. link> doi>
Chari DM, Gilson JM, Franklin RJM, Blakemore WF. 2006. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) transplantation is unlikely to offer a means of preventing X-irradiation induced damage in the CNS. Exp Neurol, 145-153, vol. 198(1). link> doi>
CHARI DM, Blakemore WF, Kotter MR, Zhao C. 2006. Corticosteroids delay remyelination of experimental demyelination in the rodent central nervous system. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 594-605, vol. 83(4). doi>
CHARI DM, Blakemore WF, Crang AJ. 2003. Decline in rate of colonisation of Oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) depleted tissue by adult OPCs with age. J Neuropath Exp Neurol, 908-916, vol. 62(9). link> doi>
Chari DM, Huang WL, Blakemore WF. 2003. Dysfunctional oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) populations may inhibit repopulation of OPC depleted tissue. J Neurosci Res, 787-793, vol. 73(6). link> doi>
Chari DM, Huang WL, Blakemore WF. 2003. Repopulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) depleted areas may be inhibited by the presence of a dysfunctional OPC population in depleted areas. Neuroscience Research, 787-793, vol. 73.
Chari DM and Blakemore WF. 2002. New insights into remyelination failure in multiple sclerosis: implications for glial cell transplantation. Mult Scler, 271-277, vol. 8(4). link> doi>
Blakemore WF, Chari DM, Gilson JM, Crang AJ. 2002. Modelling large areas of demyelination in the rat reveals the potential and possible limitations of transplanted glial cells for remyelination in the CNS. Glia, 155-168, vol. 38(2). link> doi>
Chari DM and Blakemore WF. 2002. Efficient recolonisation of progenitor-depleted areas of the CNS by adult oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Glia, 307-313, vol. 37(4). link> doi>
Chari DM and Blakemore WF. 2002. Efficient recolonisation of progenitor-depleted areas of the CNS by adult oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. GLIA, 307-313, vol. 37(4). link> doi>
Hinks GL, Chari DM, O'Leary MT, Zhao C, Keirstead HS, Blakemore WF, Franklin RJ. 2001. Depletion of endogenous oligodendrocyte progenitors rather than increased availability of survival factors is a likely explanation for enhanced survival of transplanted oligodendrocyte progenitors in X-irradiated compared to normal CNS. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol, 59-67, vol. 27(1). link> doi>
Chari DM, Ramesh V, John J, Kumar VM. 1995. Effect of application of gamma amino butyric acid at the medial preoptic area on sleep-wakefulness. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol, 299-301, vol. 39(3). link>

Chapters

Jenkins SI and chari DM. 2018. A Stoichiometrically Defined Neural Coculture Model to Screen Nanoparticles for Neurological Applications. Santamaria F and Peralta X (Eds.). Humana Press, Inc.. doi> link> full text>

Other

Chari DM, Gilson JM, Franklin RJM, Blakemore WF. 2007. Corticosteroids delay remyelination of toxin-induced demyelinating lesions in the adult rodent spinal cord. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY (pp. 261-262, vol. 33). link>

Projects and funding

Funding

2019 Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS)/Wellcome Trust INSPIRE grant to fund medical student research till 2022 with BioNow, Birmingham and Warwick Universities

2019 EPSRC Healthcare Technologies Discipline Hopper Grant "A new technology platform for neuro-regeneration: Next generation electroactive bioprostheses for spinal cord injury (SCI)" with Dr Shery Huang and Prof George Malliaras, Cambridge University

2019 Faculty of Natural Sciences Research Development Fund “Developing a stem cell spray for traumatic brain injury”, with Dr Chris Adams, Keele University

2018 EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training PhD studentship "Developing 3D in vitro models of traumatic neurological injury for stem cell imaging" Primary supervisor

2017 Faculty of Natural Sciences PhD studentship “Investigating the chick embryo as a neurological injury model for screening new nanotherapies” (co-supervisor with Primary supervisor Dr Chris Adams)

2017 Association of Clinical Pathologists and Wolfson Foundation (Royal College of Physicians) funding for Clinical Intercalated MPhil "Evaluating the feasibility of using neurosurgical hydrogel materials as protective delivery systems for stem cell transplant populations" Primary supervisor (co-supervisors Mr Niko Tzerakis and Mr Jon Sen, Neurosurgery Department, UHNM)

2017 MRC Confidence in Concept funding "Protective matrices for delivery of genetically augmented canine olfactory ensheathing cell transplants" Principal investigator (with Dr Chris Adams, Keele University; Dr Nicolas Granger, Royal Veterinary College London; Prof Nicolas Jeffery, Texas A& M University and Mr Niko Tserakis, UHNM Neurosurgery department)

2016 Langford Trust PhD studentship, “Developing tissue matched implantable hydrogels for delivery of olfactory ensheathing cells into sites of spinal cord injury”, co-applicant with Dr Nicolas Granger and Dr Liang Fong Wong, Bristol University

2016 Clinical MPhil "Building 3D models of the neural immune system with live cell imaging to test cell scavenger function" Primary supervisor

2016 PhD studentship "Investigating the neural cell specificity and immune evasion of novel cell penetrating peptides for neurological targeting" Primary supervisor

2016 Natural Sciences Faculty support fund "An electrophysiological investigation into the properties of nano-engineered neurons propagated on ‘neuromimetic ‘materials" Co-investigator (PI Dr Mike Evans, Keele Faculty of Natural Sciences)

2016 North Staffordshire Medical Institute charity funding "Assessing human brain slices as ‘benchtop’ injury models" Principal Investigator (with Dr Niko Tzerakis, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of North Midlands)

2015 Comparative Clinical Science Foundation and Wolfson Foundation (Royal College of Physicians) funding for Clinical Intercalated MPhil "Developing tissue matched implantable hydrogels for delivery of olfactory ensheathing cells into sites of spinal cord pathology in domestic dogs" Primary supervisor (Co-supervisor Nicolas Granger, Bristol University)

2015 Keele School of Pharmacy funding "Investigating the interaction of metabolic regulatory molecules with cells of the central nervous system" Co-investigator

2015 EPSRC E-TERM Landscape Fellowship "Multicellular and neuromimetic hydrogels as implantable constructs to enhance repair in spinal cord injury"

2015 PhD studentship "Developing advanced implantable materials for neurological injury" Primary supervisor

2014 PhD studentship "Interface of nanotechnology platforms and neuronal cells" Primary supervisor

2014 EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine medical research studentships "Can magnetic hyperthermia safely enhance magnetic nanoparticle labelling of neural stem cells?" and "Using a novel multifunctional magnetic nanoparticle with a state-of-the-art 'magnetofection' device to enhance gene transfer to neural transplant cells" Primary supervisor, with industrial partners nanoTherics Ltd.

2014 MMed Sci clinical intercalation project "Investigating physical microenvironments of neural cells to develop neuro-mimetic materials- An Atomic Force and Electron Microscopy study" Primary supervisor

2014 PhD studentship "Evaluating the effects of immunotherapies on precursor/stem cells of the central nervous system" Primary supervisor

2013 PhD studentship"The Role of Nicotinamide on Directed Stem Cell Differentiation to Neuronal Fates in vitro". Co-supervisor

2013 Clinical MPhil "An investigation of parameters that govern the uptake of medically relevant magnetic nanoparticles in primary neural stem cells" Primary Supervisor

2012 PhD studentship "Evaluation of astrocyte interactions with nanomaterials" Primary supervisor

2012 EPSRC 3ME Initiative- Bridging the Gaps “Mathematical modelling of magnetic particle uptake in neural cell populations: Can we predict modes of particle handling in complex cell systems?” Principal Investigator

2012 BBSRC Project Grant “Magnetic nanoparticle mediated delivery of neurotherapeutic genes to multipotent neural stem cell transplant populations” Principal Investigator

2012 EPSRC E-TERM Landscape Fellowship "Magnetic nanoparticle based transfection of oligodendrocyte precursor cells for transplantation into a 'living brain' reductionist demyelination model", (www.regener8.ac.uk/)

2012 ISTM capital bid funding to purchase (1) Stereomicroscope with imaging system, (with ISTM neuroscience theme research scientists) ; and (2) Electrophysiology rig for electrical recordings from acute brain slices and organotypic slice culture injury models (with Dr David Mazzocchi Jones and Dr Mike Evans).

2011 MMed. Ed. project " A survey of intercalation at UK medical schools" Co-supervisor

2011 EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre PhD studentship “Strategies to enhance magnetic nanoparticle mediated delivery of therapeutic biomolecules to neural transplant populations ” Primary Supervisor

2010 North Staffordshire Medical Institute grant “Transcriptional effects of corticosteroid (CS) therapy on myelin genesis and neuronal health” Principal Investigator

2010 EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre PhD studentship “Development of Novel Tissue Engineering Strategies for Spinal Cord Repair” Primary Supervisor

2009 Royal Society UK research grant “Magnetic nanoparticle MNP mediated gene transfer to oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) derived for transplantation” Principal Investigator

2008 United States National Multiple Sclerosis Society Pilot Award “Can magnetic nanoparticles be used to modulate gene expression in demyelinated areas?” Principal Investigator

2008 BBSRC New Investigator Award “Development of magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) based delivery system for gene transfer to multipotent neural precursor cells (NPCs)” Principal Investigator

2007 British Neuropathological Society Small Grant “Effects of corticosteroid (CS) administration on myelination in the developing central nervous system (CNS)” Principal Investigator

2007 Keele School of Medicine startup fund &PhD studentship “Applications of magnetic nanoparticles for oligodendrocyte precursor cell transplantation strategies” Primary Supervisor

2003 UK Multiple Sclerosis Society, Junior Research Fellowship (four-year) “Effects of corticosteroid administration on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and remyelination”

1996 Felix Scholarship to undertake DPhil studies at Oxford University

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Professor Divya Chari