The Inositide ISP - Research into Action

We study the molecular mechanisms by which cells transduce signals at cell membranes. This includes specific classes of cell-surface receptors, GPCRs, and intracellular enzymes that either associate with membranes, e.g. small GTPases such as the Ras, Rac, Rap or Rho families, or use them as a source of substrate, such as PLDs, PRexs, PI3Ks and PITPs.

These signalling systems regulate a variety of cellular responses or paradigms of commercial and/or clinical significance.

Current research translation activities

Commercial collaborations

3 research collaborations (Len Stephens & Phill Hawkins, Nicholas Ktistakis)

2 CASE studentships (Stephens & Hawkins and Ktistakis groups)

3 consultancy agreements (Len Stephens & Phill Hawkins, Mingyue He)

A cell line developed by the Ktistakis group has been licensed to a large pharmaceutical company.

Babraham Bioscience Technologies Ltd in collaboration with the Stephens & Hawkins and Wakelam groups developed a new method for analysing lipids by mass spectroscopy.  A lipidomics service has been established to offer lipid analysis to external organisations.

Clinical and pre-clinical collaborations

Centre for Molecular Medicine, University College London:
Role of lipid kinases in Crohn’s disease (Len Stephens, Phill Hawkins & Michael Wakelam)

Department of Dermatology, University of Freiburg:
Role of PI3Ks in auto-immune blistering diseases(Len Stephens & Phill Hawkins)

Dept of Medical Biochemistry & Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm:
Role of ARAP protein in kidney function (Sonja Krugmann)

Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (x2):
Neutrophil signalling(Nick Ktistakis, Len Stephens & Phill Hawkins)

Institute for Cancer Studies and Department of Primary Care, Birmingham University & QE Hospital Birmingham:
Trial of MMP9 as a cancer biomarker (Michael Wakelam)

Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Oxford University:
Lipid droplet studies (Michael Wakelam)

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham:
Lipidomics in oncology (Michael Wakelam)

University of Navarra Medical School:
Lipid binding proteins during liver regeneration (Nick Ktistakis)

Wellcome Clinical Research Facility, QE Hospital Birmingham:
Vasculitis (Michael Wakelam)

Medical charity funding

British Lung Foundation:
Role of RhoG in neutrophil activation (Len Stephens & Phill Hawkins)

Cancer Research UK:
Programme in lipidomic oncology (Michael Wakelam)

Details of previous translational activity can be found here

Key publications from the Inositide ISP

Translating the ISP's Research into Action (KEC)

Public Engagement

Skills training