Marian Denson

Provided technical support to the Biomedicine Research Centre and the Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre. Assisted Principal Investigators and advised students on research requirements and troubleshooting.

Provided practical teaching materials and technical support for postgraduate students. Maintained tissue culture facilities and implemented hygiene protocols.

Responsible for flow cytometry in clinical trials and academic research, characterizing PBMCs and Bronchoalveolar Lavage cells. Conducted cell surface staining, intracellular staining, and cytokine output analysis.

Conducted PhD research on the rational design of immunotherapy to treat fungal allergy, evaluating bioinformatically derived synthetic peptides. Utilized tissue culture, flow cytometry, DNA extraction, and HLA typing.

Studied Aspergillus fumigatus genes and their role in signaling and allergy. Employed PCR and cloning to create plasmids for yeast two-hybrid and gene knockout experiments.

Researched the effects of Human Cytomegalovirus in transcriptional regulation and cell signaling. Performed cell line culture, viral stock assays, DNA manipulation, microarray, RT-PCR, and Western Blotting.

Worked as a Staff Nurse, providing general nursing care. Gained experience in patient care and medical procedures.

Participated in a six-week summer studentship focusing on bacterial toxin genes for mosquito control. Techniques included bacterial DNA extraction, protoplast formation, and transfection.

My thesis evaluates the effects of bioinformatically derived synthetic peptides on the lymphocytes of fungal sensitized patients, with the aim of producing an immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of severe asthma complicated by fungal sensitization. Laboratory analysis was carried out using tissue culture, Flow Cytometry and HLA typing. The work was undertaken within the School of Translation

Grade: 2:1

Modules included Cell Surface and Defence, Cell Biology and Membranology, Cellular Signalling and Molecular Biology and Disease. My final year laboratory research project involved the cloning and sequencing of a serine protease from Krill, while my library-based project examined the role of homeotic genes in embryonic development.

Grade: Biology (C), Chemistry (C), Physics (E)

Completed A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Trained and qualified as a Registered General Nurse.