Dr Claudia Barros
Profiles

Dr Claudia Barros

Associate Professor of Neuroscience (Research)

Peninsula Medical School (Faculty of Health)

Dr Claudia Barros can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Brain tumour
  • Neuroscience
  • Stem cell
  • Laboratory methods
Biography

Biography

Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Principal Investigator, Peninsula Medical School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth.

Qualifications

  • Diploma (5-years) Biology, Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal (1998)
  • Research Internship, Dr Domingos Henrique, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal (1997-99)
  • PhD, Gurdon Institute, Professor Andrea Brand laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK. Focus: Neural Stem Cell division and cell fate, Drosophila models (2003)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Professor Ulrich Müller laboratory, Dorris Neuroscience Center, The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, USA. Focus: Cellular and molecular mechanisms directing neural development and function, mouse models (2009)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford University, UK. Focus: Drosophila Gene expression systems (2010)
  • Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow, Bangor University, Wales and Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth (2010-13)
  • Lecturer and Principal Investigator, Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth (2013-2020)
  • Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth (Aug 2020-present)
Claudia is currently Associate Professor of Neuroscience, her laboratory team investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms directing Neural Stem Cell development and Brain Tumourigenesis. 
Other qualifications: Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP, 2014); 
Postgraduate Research Degree Coordination, Management and Leadership:
  • Deputy Director of Doctoral College & Faculty of Health Doctoral College Committee chair (Nov 2019-Dec 2022);
  • Faculty of Health Research Degrees Committee member (2013-2019; vice-chair since 2015); 
  • Peninsula Medical School Postgraduate Research Coordinator (2015-Jan 2020)
  • Peninsula Medical School Senior Management Team member (2019-Dec 2023)

Professional membership

Higher Education Academy Fellow UK
British Society for Cell Biology member and Ambassador at University of Plymouth 
British Society for Developmental Biology member 
King's College Cambridge University Fellow

Roles on external bodies

Peer review/ research grant funding and publishing.

Key publications

Bossing T, Barros CS, Fischer B, Russell S & Shepherd D (2012) 'Disruption of microtubule integrity initiates mitosis during CNS repair' Dev Cell 23, (2) 433-440 Author Site , DOI Open access
Barros CS, Calabrese B, Chamero P, Roberts AJ, Korzus E, Lloyd K, Stowers L, Mayford M, Halpain S & Müller U (2009) 'Impaired maturation of dendritic spines without disorganization of cortical cell layers in mice lacking NRG1/ErbB signaling in the central nervous system' Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106, (11) 4507-4512 Author Site , DOI Open access
Barros CS & Bossing T (2021) 'Microtubule disruption upon CNS damage triggers mitotic entry via TNF signaling activation' Cell Reports 36, (1) , DOI Open access
Gil-Ranedo J, Gonzaga E, Jaworek KJ, Berger C, Bossing T & Barros CS (2019) 'STRIPAK Members Orchestrate Hippo and Insulin Receptor Signaling to Promote Neural Stem Cell Reactivation' Cell Reports 27, (10) 2921-2933.e5 , DOI Open access
Ding R, Weynans K, Bossing T, Barros CS & Berger C (2016) 'The Hippo signalling pathway maintains quiescence in Drosophila neural stem cells' Nature Communications 7, (0) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Diaz LR, Gil-Ranedo J, Jaworek KJ, Nsek N, Marques JP, Costa E, Hilton DA, Bieluczyk H, Warrington O & Hanemann CO (2024) 'Ribogenesis boosts controlled by HEATR1-MYC interplay promote transition into brain tumour growth' EMBO Reports , DOI Open access
View all publications
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

Neuroscience, Cancer, Neural Stem Cell development in Health and Disease.

Current contributions to undergraduate/ postgraduate teaching:
  • Peninsula Medical School - Special Session Units (SSU MIS year 2)
  • Peninsula Medical School - Special Session Units (SSU DaE year 2)
  • Peninsula Medical School - Higher Brain Function/ Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) 
  • Peninsula Dental School, Life Sciences - Molecular Biology of Cancer (year 2)
  • School of Biomedical Sciences, BHCS3007 - Contemporary issues in Neurobiology - Neural Stem Cells (year 3)
  • School of Biomedical Sciences, BHCS3001 - Personal Research Projects (year 3; host min 2 internships/ year)
  • School of Biomedical Sciences 5006 - Neural Basis of Cognition/ MSc in Biomedical Science 
  • School of Biomedical Sciences 3030 - 1-year long Personal Research Project (year 3)
  • Pastoral Tutoring, Peninsula Medical Schools of Medicine and Dentistry undergraduates, all years
Past contributions: Peninsula Medical School SSU R - Research in Action (year 4); Peninsula Dental School - Emerging Concepts in Biomedical Science (year 2); MSc in Biomedical Science (Research Project).
Research

Research

Research interests

Current research in our team focus on the identification and characterisation of molecular signals controlling Neural Stem Cell mitotic activation, identity and differentiation in health and mechanisms underlying brain tumour formation and growth. Our work involves functional genetics, gene expression and imaging studies. We take advantage of the fruit fly Drosophila brain as an in vivo model, and we translate findings into mammalian systems including human brain tissues, patient-derived brain tumour stem cells and neural stem cell cultures. We are part of the Plymouth Brain Tumour Research Centre of excellence sponsored by Brain Tumour Research, UK.
Claudia Barros - Lab website

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

  • Completions: 2 MRes, 4 PhDs plus 1 PhD recent submission (as Director of Studies); 1 PhD (as 2nd supervisor)
  • Current: 2 PhDs and 1 ResM (as Director of Studies); 3 PhDs (as 2nd supervisor)

Grants & contracts

  • Research Grant (ResM studentship contribution; £10K; PI), Vivace Therapeutics, USA (2023-24)
  • MRC equipment Grant (£562K; co-PI), MRC, UK (2023)
  • Research Grant (PhD studentship; PI; £70.2K ), Brain Tumour Research, UK (2023-26)
  • Research Grant (PhD studentship; PI; £68.9K), Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, UK (2021-24)
  • Research Grant (ResM-PhD studentship; PI; £97.7K), Brain Tumour Research & PMS, University of Plymouth, UK (2019-22)
  • Research Grant (PhD studentship; PI; £66.1K), ITSMED, University of Plymouth, UK (2018-21)
  • Research Grant (Project grant, PI; £372K FEC), Brain Research Trust, UK (2018-21)
  • Research Grant (PhD studentship; PI; £63.4K), ITSMED, University of Plymouth, UK (2016-19)
  • BBSRC New Investigator Research grant (PI; £412K FEC), BBSRC, UK (2015-18)
  • Research Grant (PhD studentship; PI; £50K), ITSMED University of Plymouth, UK (2013-16)
  • Research Grant (PhD studentship; PI; £118.3K), Tenovus Cancer Care, UK (2011-2015)
  • Research Grant (MRes studentship; PI; £18K), KESS, UK/EU (2012-13)
  • Early Career Fellowship, Leverhulme Trust, UK (PI; £87K; 2010-13)
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, USA (Lead applicant; $120K; 2005-07)
  • PhD Studentship, FCT, Portugal, hosted in Cambridge University, UK (Lead applicant;1999-2003)
  • Science Initiation grant (BIC), FCT, Portugal (1998-99)
  • Undergraduate studentship, Prodep Portugal (1997-98)
Publications

Publications

Key publications

Bossing T, Barros CS, Fischer B, Russell S & Shepherd D (2012) 'Disruption of microtubule integrity initiates mitosis during CNS repair' Dev Cell 23, (2) 433-440 Author Site , DOI Open access
Barros CS, Calabrese B, Chamero P, Roberts AJ, Korzus E, Lloyd K, Stowers L, Mayford M, Halpain S & Müller U (2009) 'Impaired maturation of dendritic spines without disorganization of cortical cell layers in mice lacking NRG1/ErbB signaling in the central nervous system' Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106, (11) 4507-4512 Author Site , DOI Open access
Barros CS & Bossing T (2021) 'Microtubule disruption upon CNS damage triggers mitotic entry via TNF signaling activation' Cell Reports 36, (1) , DOI Open access
Gil-Ranedo J, Gonzaga E, Jaworek KJ, Berger C, Bossing T & Barros CS (2019) 'STRIPAK Members Orchestrate Hippo and Insulin Receptor Signaling to Promote Neural Stem Cell Reactivation' Cell Reports 27, (10) 2921-2933.e5 , DOI Open access
Ding R, Weynans K, Bossing T, Barros CS & Berger C (2016) 'The Hippo signalling pathway maintains quiescence in Drosophila neural stem cells' Nature Communications 7, (0) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Diaz LR, Gil-Ranedo J, Jaworek KJ, Nsek N, Marques JP, Costa E, Hilton DA, Bieluczyk H, Warrington O & Hanemann CO (2024) 'Ribogenesis boosts controlled by HEATR1-MYC interplay promote transition into brain tumour growth' EMBO Reports , DOI Open access

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
Diaz LR, Gil-Ranedo J, Jaworek KJ, Nsek N, Marques JP, Costa E, Hilton DA, Bieluczyk H, Warrington O & Hanemann CO (2024) 'Ribogenesis boosts controlled by HEATR1-MYC interplay promote transition into brain tumour growth' EMBO Reports , DOI Open access
Barros CS & Bossing T (2022) 'Direct isolation of single cells from living brains of Drosophila melanogaster without dissociation for transcriptome analysis' STAR Protocols 3, (4) , DOI Open access
Barros CS & Bossing T (2021) 'Microtubule disruption upon CNS damage triggers mitotic entry via TNF signaling activation' Cell Reports 36, (1) , DOI Open access
Gil-Ranedo J, Gonzaga E, Jaworek KJ, Berger C, Bossing T & Barros CS (2019) 'STRIPAK Members Orchestrate Hippo and Insulin Receptor Signaling to Promote Neural Stem Cell Reactivation' Cell Reports 27, (10) 2921-2933.e5 , DOI Open access
Raghu SV, Mohammad F, Chua JY, Lam JSW, Loberas M, Sahani S, Barros CS & Claridge-Chang A (2018) 'A zinc-finger fusion protein refines Gal4-defined neural circuits' Molecular Brain 11, (1) 46-46 Author Site , DOI Open access
Xu J, Hartley BJ, Kurup P, Phillips A, Topol A, Xu M, Ononenyi C, Foscue E, Ho S-M & Baguley TD (2016) 'Inhibition of STEP61 ameliorates deficits in mouse and hiPSC-based schizophrenia models' Molecular Psychiatry , DOI Open access
Ding R, Weynans K, Bossing T, Barros CS & Berger C (2016) 'The Hippo signalling pathway maintains quiescence in Drosophila neural stem cells' Nature Communications 7, (0) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Bossing T, Barros CS, Fischer B, Russell S & Shepherd D (2012) 'Disruption of microtubule integrity initiates mitosis during CNS repair' Dev Cell 23, (2) 433-440 Author Site , DOI Open access
Cahill ME, Jones KA, Rafalovich I, Xie Z, Barros CS, Müller U & Penzes P (2012) 'Control of interneuron dendritic growth through NRG1/erbB4-mediated kalirin-7 disinhibition' Mol Psychiatry 17, (1) 1-107 Author Site , DOI Open access
Cahill M & Penzes P (2012) 'Colocalization between endogenous erbB4 and endogenous kalirin-7 in interneuronal dendrites' Molecular Psychiatry 17, (1) 1-1 , DOI
Barros CS, Franco SJ & Müller U (2011) 'Extracellular matrix: functions in the nervous system' Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 3, (1) Author Site , DOI Open access
Barros CS, Nguyen T, Spencer KSR, Nishiyama A, Colognato H & Müller U (2009) 'Beta1 integrins are required for normal CNS myelination and promote AKT-dependent myelin outgrowth' Development 136, (16) 2717-2724 Author Site , DOI Open access
Radakovits R, Barros CS, Belvindrah R, Patton B & Müller U (2009) 'Regulation of radial glial survival by signals from the meninges' J Neurosci 29, (24) 7694-7705 Author Site , DOI Open access
Barros CS, Calabrese B, Chamero P, Roberts AJ, Korzus E, Lloyd K, Stowers L, Mayford M, Halpain S & Müller U (2009) 'Impaired maturation of dendritic spines without disorganization of cortical cell layers in mice lacking NRG1/ErbB signaling in the central nervous system' Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106, (11) 4507-4512 Author Site , DOI Open access
Barros CS, Phelps CB & Brand AH (2003) 'Drosophila nonmuscle myosin II promotes the asymmetric segregation of cell fate determinants by cortical exclusion rather than active transport' Dev Cell 5, (6) 829-840 Author Site , DOI Open access
Bossing T, Barros CS & Brand AH (2002) 'Rapid tissue-specific expression assay in living embryos' Genesis 34, (1-2) 123-126 Author Site , DOI Open access
Van Roessel P, Hayward NM, Barros CS & Brand AH (2002) 'Two-color GFP imaging demonstrates cell-autonomy of GAL4-driven RNA interference in Drosophila' Genesis 34, (1-2) 170-173 Author Site , DOI Open access
Chapters
Barros CS & Müller U (2005) 'Integrin Functions in Nervous System Development' Integrins in Development Georgetown, TX Landes Bioscience
Conference Papers
Bossing T & Barros CS (2012) 'Extrinsic and intrinsic regulation of postembryonic neural stem cell development' 22-23
Barros CS, Korzus E, Mayford M & Mueller U (2006) 'In vivo functions of erbB signaling in the developing mammalian CNS' 77-78