Joseph Parsons

• BSc(Hons Biochemistry)
• Differential regulation of NF-κB activation and function through RelA Ser42 and 45 phosphorylation

NF-κB is a protein complex which is crucial in the regulation of inflammation and cell proliferation. This means that what dysregulated this can cause severe inflammatory or over-proliferative effects on cells (cancer). My project involves the study of the RelA subunit of NF-κB, in particular two amino acids Serine 42 and Serine 45. I am comparing normal cells from a human cancer cell line to cells where these serine residues have been mutated to alanine. This allowed me to partially discover the role of these residues and how they are implicated in inflammation and cancer. To do this my cells were treated with DNA damaging agents and I viewed the expression of certain genes that are targets of RelA to see how the mutation was affecting them, thus how it would affect cell growth and inflammation.

Funded by: Wellcome Trust

Supervisor:  Professor Neil Perkins