Dr Jane Carre

Positions

2021-present       Lecturer in Human Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth.

2019-2021         Daphne Jackson Research Fellow (Kidney Research UK), School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth.

2015-2019         Career Break (Childcare).

2011-2015         Lecturer (Education) University of Exeter Medical School/Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry.

2005-2010         Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London.

2001-2005         Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Biochemistry, University of Sussex.

Qualifications

2013-2015          Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, University of Exeter.        

1996-2000          DPhil, Biochemistry, University of Sussex.                               

1992-1996          BSc Hons, Biochemistry with European Studies, University of Sussex (Université de Bordeaux II).

Professional membership

AdvanceHE (Higher Education Academy), Fellow

Biochemical Society

Mitochondrial Physiology Society

Teaching interests

Teaching has featured strongly throughout my research career, from supervising undergraduate project and placement students, to training clinicians and graduate students. I have enjoyed teaching undergraduate students in biochemistry and across the medical sciences, using a range of innovative and traditional learning approaches.

Research interests

All cells require energy to function. In most cell types, this energy is provided through the activity of mitochondria. My overall research interest is how mitochondrial (dys)function and adaptation contribute to health and disease, with a current focus on muscle. Muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy) contribute to frailty in metabolic and immunological disorders, malignancies, infectious diseases, as well as in ageing.

Alongside exercise and nutrition, interest in mitochondrially-targeted therapeutics for muscle wasting conditions is increasing. The underlying basis of observed mitochondrial changes in these myopathies however is unclear. It is therefore not known at what stage each of these therapeutic approaches may be appropriate - or indeed harmful.

Through my current research, initially funded by Kidney Research UK, I aim to determine whether muscle mitochondrial changes seen in chronic kidney disease reflect dysfunction, or a cellular adaptation to altered energetic demand. By building our understanding of healthy and uraemic muscle cell bioenergetics, this research will help rationalise mitochondria as therapeutic targets in chronic kidney disease and could inform research into therapeutic approaches for other clinically-relevant situations, including critical illness.

Other academic activities

Member of Early Career Researcher Group for Health (working group)

Member of Athena Swan Self Assessment Team (PDS, PMS, SoBS; research working group)