Dr David Qualtrough

Qualifications:

PhD, BSc(HONS)

Position:

Senior Lecturer

Department:

HAS - Applied Sciences

Telephone:

+441173283815

Email:

David.Qualtrough@uwe.ac.uk

Social media:

About me

My current research focuses on the mechanisms that drive the malignant progression of tumours toward invasion and metastasis – the key prognostic determinant for cancer patients.  These processes are not driven by genetic mutations but rather aberrant signalling and the impact of the tumour microenvironment.

My PhD (University of Sheffield) considered the role of developmental signalling pathways in determining cell fate in cancer models of human embryonic stem cells.  As a postdoctoral researcher (University of Bristol) I studied the role of dietary factors and inflammatory mediators in regulating colorectal tumour progression from benign to malignant.  As a research fellow (University of Bristol) my focus returned to the role of developmental signalling in regulating EMT and tumour spread, as well as exploring the relationship between tumour invasion and wound healing.  On becoming a Senior Lecturer at UWE my focus moved to studying these metastatic processes in breast cancer alongside trying to understand the role that the gut microbiota may play in the progression of colorectal tumours towards metastasis.

One aspect of my current research is investigating the role of Hedgehog signalling as a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer metastasis.  Misappropriated signalling regulated by the tumour microenvironment can stimulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and therefore enhance the ability for tumours to spread, thus abrogating more conventional therapeutic approaches.  Our current work is identifying biomarkers indicative of patient subsets who may respond to therapy targeted towards this pathway.

Another key focus of my current research is the role of the gut microbiota in the malignant progression of colorectal tumours.  We are currently studying how specific microbial species may influence the behaviour of benign colorectal tumour cells, imbuing them with abilities that aid their progression towards malignancy and subsequent metastatic potential.

Please contact me for details of available MRes projects.

Area of expertise

Breast cancer;  Colorectal Cancer;  Invasion & Metastasis;  Cell signalling;  EMT;  Malignant progression;  Gut microbiota.

Publications

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