Stuart Jenkins

Biography

Following degrees in Computer Science (University of Essex) and Biochemistry & Neuroscience (Keele), I earned my PhD in Biomedical Engineering, studying under Prof Divya Chari (Keele, 2013). During my PhD, I was awarded an EPSRC E-TERM Landscape Fellowship, also hosted in Prof Chari’s lab (2013-15). I then held a postdoc position with Dr David Morgan (Keele, School of Pharmacy; 2015-16), before becoming a Lecturer at Keele’s School of Medicine (Nov 2016-).

• PhD title: Applications of magnetic particles for oligodendrocyte precursor cell transplantation strategies
• Fellowship project, E-TERM (Engineering – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; EP/I017801/1): Magnetically-assisted neuroengineering techniques
• Postdoc project: Investigating the roles of microglia in neurodegenerative disease and regenerative processes

Research and scholarship

I am interested in improving preclinical models of neurodegeneration in the central nervous system, particularly for screening nanomaterials with therapeutic potential for tissue engineering/regenerative medicine (TERM).

I mainly work with glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, OPCs and microglia), but also embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and neurons (particularly dopaminergic).

I am associated with two themes at the Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine (ISTM):

• Regenerative Medicine
• Therapeutics

I organised the ATREUM conference (3-6 April 2017) for early career researchers in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM)

In Feb 2014, I organised a Preclinical Modelling Workshop for Regenerative Medicine at Keele Hall.

I am a member of the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) and the British Society for Immunology (BSI).

Teaching

I teach at Keele University Medical School, and am currently involved in curriculum development (MBChB).

Postgraduate Supervision:LSC-40043, MSc in Scientific Research Training

Further information

Links, Resources, News

• I am organising the ATREUM conference (3-6 April 2017) for early career researchers in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM)

• I coordinate the Brains for Breakfast (B4B) seminar series

School of Life Sciences, Huxley003, Weds 09:00-10:00

Informal seminars discussing recent and proposed research in Neuroscience-related subjects, including Computer Science.

Please contact me if you are interested in presenting, or would like to join the mailing list.

• I have contributed to the HEART (Healthcare Engineering & Regenerative Therapies) blog, aimed at teenagers interested in science

Are nanoparticles too small to be seen interacting with cells? [Jun 2014]

Can ‘stealth’ nanoparticles deliver medicine to the brain? [Apr 2014]

News, Events

• Drs Stuart Jenkins & Chris Adams appointed to Lectureships [Oct 2016]
• Teenagers in UK Science + Engineering Competition final [Feb 2016]
• Are nanoparticles too small to be seen interacting with cells? [Jun 2014]
• Can ‘stealth’ nanoparticles deliver medicine to the brain? [Apr 2014]
• Preclinical Modelling Workshop for Regenerative Medicine [Feb 2014]
• Cover image in prestigious publication [Jan 2014]
• Journal Cover Image for Dr Divya Chari and Dr Stuart Jenkins [Jul 2013]
• Dr Stuart Jenkins has been awarded an Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Landscape Fellowship [Nov 2012]
• British Neuroscience Association Abstract Competition Winner [Jul 2012]
• ISTM student paper in top nanotechnology journal [Oct 2011]

Gallery

• Three of my publications have featured as journal covers

• Videos, produced using time-lapse fluorescence microscopy

Fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles being internalised by brain cells

PhD Students

Lab members, opportunities

• Emma Green, PhD student (2016-)

Vitamin driven generation of dopaminergic neurons as cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease

• Michael Santer, MSc Scientific Research Training (2016-)

Serum-free media for neural cell culture

• Shida “Tiggs” Gholamian, Keele medical student, INSPIRE Summer Studentship (2016, with Dr David Morgan)

Eight week project: “Does repeated activation generate an ‘experienced’ microglial phenotype, with altered pro-inflammatory responses?”

• Anna Biju, Nuffield Research Placement (2016, with Dr David Morgan)

Anna Biju won a place in the national finals of the National Science + Engineering Competition (British Science Association, BSA), presenting our work at The Big Bang Fair. Covered in The Sentinel.

• Students wanted:

I welcome applications to undertake postgraduate (PhD or MPhil) studies in my laboratory. Please contact me directly (s.i.jenkins@keele.ac.uk) to discuss potential projects and the application process. See the "Research and Scholarship" tab for my research interests.