School of Medicine

Research Group

Metabolism Repair and Regeneration (MR2)

Education & Qualifications

1987 PhD Physiology of Fertilization (University College London)
1984 BSc Hons (1st class) Physiology (University College London)

Research Interests

Keywords: Fertilization, Early embryo development, Ca2+ signalling, luminescence imaging

Selected Publications

Swann,K., Saunder,CM.,Rogers,N. and Lai,F.A. (2006) PLCzeta: A sperm protein that triggers Ca2+ oscillations and egg activation in mammals. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 17, 264-273

Campbell,K. and Swann,K. (2006) Ca2+ oscillations stimulate an ATP increase during fertilization in mouse eggs. Devel. Biol. 298, 225-233

Nomikos, M., Blayney, L.M., Larman, M.G., Campbell, K., Rossbach, A., Saunders, C.M., Swann,K. and Lai, F.A. (2005) Role of Phospholipase C-{zeta} Domains in Ca2+-dependent Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Hydrolysis and Cytoplasmic Ca2+ Oscillations. J Biol. Chem. 280: 31011-31018.

Rogers,N.T., Hobson,E., Pickering,S., Lai,F.A., Braude,P. and Swann,K. (2004) PLCζ causes Ca2+ oscillations and parthenogenetic activation of human oocytes. Reproduction. 128, 697-702

Larman,M.G., Saunders,C.M., Carroll,J., Lai,F.A. and Swann,K. (2004) Cell cycle-dependent Ca2+ oscillations in mouse embryos are regulated by nuclear targeting of PLCzeta. J. Cell Science 117, 2513-2521

Selected Projects

‘The Role of PLCzeta in generating Ca2+ oscillations and triggering egg activation at fertilization.’
Funder: The Wellcome Trust.
Duration: 3 years
Value: £486,183
We will establish the mechanism of action and localization of PLCzeta during fertilization.
This is for a collaborative project with Prof Tony Lai (Wales Heart Research Institute).

‘Ca2+ oscillations and parthenogenetic development.’
Funder: B.B.S.R.C.
Duration: 3 years.
Value: £287,459
We will use PLCzeta to establish how different patterns of Ca2+ changes can affect parthenogenetic development of mouse and human eggs. We will use luminescence and low level fluorescence imaging technology. This project is held in conjunction with Mr Nazar Amso (Obs and Gyn).

‘The dynamics of Ca2+ and ATP in early embryo development.’
Funder: The Royal Society/ C.N.R.S.
Duration: 2 years
Value: £8,800
This is for international collaboration expenses and is held with Dr Remi Dumollard (Villefranche, France). We will study Ca2+ and ATP changes in sea urchin and ascidian eggs and embryos.