Dr Lorna Proudfoot

Biography	I graduated from Glasgow University in 1991 from the Department of Biochemistry with a PhD entitled 'Dynamic aspects of the nematode surface'. I then moved on to Dundee University Biochemistry Department for my first post-doctoral research where I studied parasite glycoconjugates with Prof Mike Ferguson and Dr Malcolm McConville. My second post-doc was with Professor Eddy Liew at the Department of Immunology, Glasgow University in 1993 where I investigated the effect of Leishmania parasite glycoconjugates on the innate immune system and production of nitric oxide. In 1996 I became a lecturer here at the School of Applied Sciences.
Research Interests	I direct programmes of research in the areas of immunotoxicity, non-mammalian (Caenorhabditis elegans) model development and anti-parasite therapeutics. We published that toxicity of zinc oxide in monocytes is affected by the size, charge and solubility of the particles; and we have demonstrated that the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans is a suitable non-mammalian model in toxicity testing (grant from Public Health England). My particular interest in C.elegans as a toxicity model extends to effects of alcohol on the gut and how microbiota can have the potential to dampen pathological effects. In a collaboration with Public Health England, we are now able to investigate the validity of C.elegans as a toxicity model using microRNA analysis of key pathways affected. In collaboration with Dr David Mincher within the School, we have discovered the potential of novel prodrug systems in the delivery of anti-parasite drugs using C.elegans. Increasing resistance to all classes of drugs against parasitic nematodes points to the need for a new style of therapeutic.
Teaching and Learning	My teaching covers a wide range of students (including Hong Kong and Sri Lanka) from degree to postgraduate level on the following modules: Edinburgh Napier BSc Year 3 BMS09100 Immunology Year 4 BMS10106 Cellular and Molecular Immunology ENV10100 Scientific Research Projects MSc - BMS11100 Advanced Immunology (Module Leader) MIC11100 Molecular Pathogenesis of Microbial Infection BMS11102 Research Project PhD/MRes - 1 PhD and 1 MRes (see research supervision) Hong Kong University- School of Professional and Continuing Education. Prominent involvement since inception of collaboration with HKU-SPACE for the BSc Biomedical Sciences (since 2001) and MSc Biomedical Sciences (since 2009) BSc Year 3 BMS09603 Applied Immunology MSc BMS11606 Immunotechnology (Module Leader) • Sri Lanka – Spectrum Institute BSc Year 3 BMS09800 (Module Leader) Personal Development Tutor (PDT) Leader - This role involves leadership in PDT to enhance the overall student experience. Meetings with Year PDTs take place once per trimester to discuss current issues, highlight and share good practice and offer support to staff where required. Maintenance of the PDT resources Moodle site is also important to keep staff up to date with changes in regulations or access to NSA services for example.