Profiles
Mr James Conway
Peninsula Medical School (Faculty of Health)
Biography
Biography
I am a PhD candidate in the Kramer lab at the University of Plymouth's Derriford Research Facility. My research is focused upon the role of the E3 ubiquitin protein ligases Nedd4-1 and Nedd4-2 in the mouse dopaminergic midbrain and their crosstalk with alpha-synuclein. I am also the Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK) early career researcher (ECR) representative for the University of Plymouth and Postgraduate research (PGR) student representative for the schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Health.
Prior to this I completed an MSc in Molecular Neuroscience at the University of Bristol, where my Research project was titled: "Is microRNA-7 the answer to effective GDNF treatment in Parkinson's?".
Qualifications
PhD Medical Studies - University of Plymouth - 2019-present
MSc (Distinction) Molecular Neuroscience - University of Bristol - 2018-2019
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences - University of the West of England, Bristol - 2015-2018
Professional membership
European Society for Neurochemistry (ESN) - 2022-present
British Neuroscience Association (BNA) - 2018-present
Federation of European Neuroscience Societies 2020-present
Roles on external bodies
ARUK South West Network Student Representative - 2019-2023
Key publications
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
I supervise both undergraduate and postgraduate, as well as placement students in the laboratory.
Research
Research
Research interests
My research is focused upon the role of the E3 ubiquitin protein ligases Nedd4-1 and Nedd4-2 in the mouse dopaminergic midbrain and their crosstalk with alpha-synuclein. In addition to this i am also interested in: Neurodegeneration, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Obesity and Neurotrophic Signalling.
Other research
The role of RET in obesity
Grants & contracts
How does NEDD4-2 support dopaminergic neuron maintenance? - Northcott Devon Medical Foundation (Exeter, Devon) - 2023-present - 9,858.92
Are NEDD4-1 and NEDD4-2 upregulated in dementia and how does this shape the neurodegenerative process? - Alzheimer’s Research UK (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) - 2023-2024 - £4999
The influence of Nedd4 ligases on the dopaminergic midbrain and alpha synuclein in Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies - Northcott Devon Medical Foundation (Exeter, Devon) - 2021-2024 - £5982
The function of E3 ubiquitin protein ligase Nedd4-1 in the brain and its crosstalk with dementia-related proteins in vivo - Alzheimer’s Research UK (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) - 2021-2022 - £4988
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsConway JA, Kramer E. Is activation of GDNF/RET signaling the answer for successful treatment of Parkinson’s disease? A discussion of data from the culture dish to the clinic Neural Regeneration Research 17(7):1462-1467 10 Dec 2021 (Journal article). DOI: 1https://doi.org/0.4103/1673-5374.327330
Conway, J.A., Ince, S., Black, S. et al. GDNF/RET signaling in dopamine neurons in vivo. Cell Tissue Res 382, 135–146 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-020-03268-9
· ARUK conference ECR day 2020 (online) 16.03.20 (poster on Twitter) – The influence of Nedd4 ligases on the dopaminergic midbrain and alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
· BNA Festival of Neuroscience 2021 12-15.4.21 (Online poster) – The Role of Ubiquitin Ligases Nedd4-1 and Nedd4-2 in the Dopaminergic Midbrain and their Crosstalk with alpha-synuclein.
· University of Plymouth Faculty of Health Postgraduate Research Showcase 30.06.21 (5 min online poster with podcast) - The Role of Ubiquitin Ligases Nedd4-1 and Nedd4-2 in the Dopaminergic Midbrain and their Crosstalk with alpha-synuclein – also won prize for best podcast poster.
· ARUK South-West network day 2021, University of Plymouth 01.10.21 (Physical poster and 20 min oral talk) - The role of Nedd4-1 and Nedd4-2 in the dopaminergic midbrain and their crosstalk with α-synuclein.
· ARUK Conference 2022 28.02.22 - 01.03.22 (physical poster all 3 days and ECR day 3 min flash talk). - The role of Nedd4-1 and Nedd4-2 in the dopaminergic midbrain and their crosstalk with α-synuclein.
University of Plymouth Faculty of Health Postgraduate Research Showcase 14.06.22 (10 min talk) - The role of E3 ubiquitin ligases Nedd4-1 and Nedd4-2 in the dopaminergic system and their crosstalk withα-synuclein in Parkinson’s DiseasePersonal
Personal
Conferences organised
Alzheimer's Research UK South West Network conference - October 2021
Other academic activities
I was the Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK) early career research representative for the University of Plymouth as well as the Postgraduate Research (PGR) student representative for the schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences 2019-2022.
Colleagues:
- Professor Edgar Kramer - Director of Studies