Dr Michael Fricker

Biography

I am a post-doctoral researcher based at the HMRI. My work focuses on regulation of cell death and inflammation, in particular in the brain. I completed my PhD in cell biology/neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, UK, in 2008 and have subsequently held post-doctoral positions at the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK and at the University of Cambridge. I joined Professor Phil Hansbro's group at the University of Newcastle in 2012, and am currently examining the role of mast cells in causing various types of inflammatory disease pathology.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Cambridge - UK, 2008

Research

Research keywords

• Apoptosis
• Cachexia
• Efferocytosis
• Mast Cell
• Microglia
• Muscle
• Necrosis
• Neurodegeneration
• Neuroinflammation

Research expertise

Research expertise in:

Molecular analysis of cell death pathways including apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, phagoptosis, phagocytosis.

Primary culture of neurons and glial cells.

Mechanisms of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection.

Mechanisms of inflammatory neurodegeneration involving microglia.

Mast cells and their role in disease.

Study of muscle and fat wastage in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Asthma & Respiratory Diseases

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Human Disease
• Molecular Biology

Teaching expertise

Teaching expertise:

Extensive experience in leading small group tutorials covering a broad range of basic biochemical and genetic topics and their relation to disease.

Extensive experience assisting and leading laboratory based undergraduate practical classes and facilitating results analysis and discussion in large and small teaching groups.

Extensive experience in day-to-day and overall project supervision of laboratory based masters and PhD students.