Dr Priya Samuel

Lecturer in Physiological and Medical Sciences

Department of Biological and Medical Sciences

Role

I am a lecturer in Physiology and Medical Sciences at Oxford Brookes University. After obtaining an undergraduate degree in medicine, I went on to do a PhD in cancer biology at Oxford Brookes looking at the novel role of two microRNAs in cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer. I have continued my interest in research in cancer biology focusing on exploring some of the roles of extracellular vesicles in cancer.

Teaching and supervision

Courses

Modules taught

  • Human Structure and Function
  • Cellular Pathology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Research Methods
  • Project
  • Introduction to Biochemistry
  • Independent Study module

Research

My research interest is currently in extracellular vesicles, tiny membrane covered vesicles released by most cells in the body, which are thought to serve as a means of intercellular communication facilitating communication between neighbouring cells as well as those much further off. My research on extracellular vesicles fits into two different themes.

Extracellular vesicles and their role in cancer

Published literature suggests that extracellular vesicles play myriad roles in the pathology of cancer. I have previously studied the role of extracellular vesicles in drug resistance and the influence of extracellular vesicles from cancer cells exposed to cisplatin on naïve cancer cells. Currently, our research focus has widened to include investigating the role of extracellular vesicles in cancer metastasis; possible differences in cargo between extracellular vesicles from cancer cells and normal cells and the interaction of EVs from cancer cells with other cells of the body such as the endothelial cells, immune cells and fibroblasts.

Uptake mechanisms of Extracellular vesicles

I am also interested in the mechanisms involved in the uptake of extracellular vesicles by recipient cells. In order for extracellular vesicles to affect the functional characteristics of recipient cells, they need to be taken up by the recipient cell and their cargo released into the cell to be utilised. My research focus includes exploring some of the pathways and genes involved in the uptake and utilisation of the cargo of extracellular vesicles.

Groups

Publications

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