Dr Mysore Phanish performed his PhD studies at SWTIRR under the supervision of Dr Dockrell and Professor Bruce Hendry of King’s College London from 2002-2005. He gained his medical degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Karnataka University, Dharwar, India. He was awarded gold medals for first rank to the University in his 2nd and final year MBBS and for obtaining first rank to the University in General Medicine. He was awarded the Pfizer Postgraduate Medical Award & Medal by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd for the year 1991 and the Dr R R Joshi Gold Medal for best outgoing medical student of Karnataka University, India, awarded by the Indian Medical Association for the year 1992.

After obtaining his medical degree (MBBS) in 1992, he obtained an MD degree in General Medicine from one of the premier medical institutions of India, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh in 1996. He trained in Nephrology at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Bangor District General Hospital, St Helier Hospital and Guy’s Hospital, London. Dr Phanish is currently a consultant nephrologist at the St Helier Hospital, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS trust and Mayday University Hospital NHS Trust and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at SWTIRR.

Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF CCN2) is a more recently identified protein that promotes scarring within the kidney. It is both a marker and mediator of kidney scarring. During his work at SWTIRR Dr Phanish was the first to identify CTGF production from human proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs). He later went on to dissect various cell signalling pathways that regulate the production of CTGF. He also studied cell signalling pathways regulating transition of tubule epithelial cells to scar producing myo-fibroblasts. The results from this work were published in peer-reviewed journals (Nephron-experimental nephrology and Biochemical Journal). He has also presented his work in several national and international renal meetings.

Dr. Phanish’s current work aims to investigate the effects of CTGF on human proximal tubule epithelial cells. He intends to investigate the mechanisms of pro-fibrotic effects of CTGF on human PTECs. In addition, he has recently obtained a grant from Johnson and Johnson (as a co-applicant with Dr. Dockrell) to study urinary markers in diabetic kidney disease.

Dr Mangalakumar Veerasamy did his medical training in Chenai, India at Madurai Medical College where he gained his medical degree (MBBS) in 1996 acquiring gold medals in medicine en route. He completed his MD at Madras Medical College in 2000 where he was 'Best Outgoing Student' of his class.

Dr Veerasamy will be joining Dr Dockrell working on the Genzyme Research Initiative Program (GRIP) funded project studying the role of Id proteins in determining renal epithelial cell fate. In other cell typed Id proteins have been demonstrated to have a pivotal role in regulating the behaviour of cells. Dr Veerasamy will be studying what regulates the expression of Id proteins in human renal epithelial cells, particularly after treatment with TGF-beta and BMP-7.

James Browne completed his BSc at the University of Surrey in 2004 and his MSc in 2005. Previously, James had worked at SWTIRR in his sandwich year during his degree. James returned in October 2005 as the Epsom & St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust Research and Development Research Fellow to work with Dr Dockrell studying Erk5 activation in human proximal tubule cells.

Previously Dr Dockrell’s team were among the first groups to show the signalling molecule Erk5 existed in human proximal tubule epithelial cells and that it could be activated by the pro-fibrotic growth factor TGF-beta. This project expands that work to investigate whether Erk5 may have a role in the development in renal fibrosis and will also examine a potential role for Erk5 in diabetic nephropathy.