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Dr Vera Knauper

Senior Lecturer, Microbial Diseases

School of Dentistry

Email
KnauperV@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29225 10645
Campuses
University Dental Hospital, Floor 4, Room 411, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

Research Theme

Oral and biomedical sciences

Research Group

Matrix Biology and Tissue Repair

Research Interests

Major research interests in my group focus on the understanding of metalloproteinase function in inflammation and cancer. The groups main focus is to understand the role of metalloproteinases in cellular signalling at the molecular level and design novel therapeutic regimens to control inflammation and cancer. We are also interested in the proteomic and secretomic analysis of cellular signalling pathways regulated by proteolysis.

Current PhD projects

  • Novel cancer drug regulates disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) activity in Head and Neck cancer.
    • Frank Antwi
  • The regulation of protective immunity to viruses by effector T cell trafficking.
    • Abdullah Alanazi
  • Determining the role of ADAM15 in Head and Neck and other cancers.
    • Tufaha Awad

Additional Information

  • Matrix metalloproteinase research group leader

Publication

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Articles

Research

Current Research Projects:

  • The regulation of protective immunity to viruses by effector T cell trafficking. Saudi Arabian Government, Co-supervisor, 2017-2022, £153,000
    • Abdullah Alanazi
  • Novel cancer drug regulates disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) activity in Head and Neck cancer. Reseach Excellence Studentship. Cardiff University, Lead supervisor, 2018-2022, £ 129,973.
    • Frank Antwi
  • Determining the role of ADAM15 in Head and Neck and other cancers. Cardiff University, Lead supervisor, 2021-2024, £143,500
    • Tufaha Awad
  • The regulation of protective immunity to viruses by L-selectin. BBSRC project grant No. 514650, Co-PI Jan 2019 – Dec 2023, £ 548,955
  • Evaluating of inactivation of signalling networks by EBC-46 in head and neck cancer. MRC-CiC award, PI September 2022 - March 2023, £34,031
    • Meghan Larin

Teaching

Dr Knauper teaches on the second year BDS course. In the Oral ecosystems module she is discussing the regulation of the mechanism of saliva flow. Aspects of how medication taken for other conditions interferes with saliva flow and function and subsequent tooth decay are taught. She also teaches the mechanisms of integument formation, leading to adhesion of oral microorganisms to the enamel surfaces and subsequent biofilm formation.

Dr Knauper is the DET034 module coordinator for the MSC in Oral Biology. She teaches aspects of matrix degradation and oral cancer development, as well as, scientific methodology.

Biography

Career Profile

1985 Diploma in Chemistry University of Bielefeld Germany

1989 Dr. Rer. Nat. (PhD in Biochemistry) University of Bielefeld Germany

1993-1995 Wellcome Trust Travelling Fellow Strangeways Research Laboratory Cambridge UK

1995-2000 Post-Doctoral Research Associate with Prof. Gillian Murphy Strangeways Research Laboratory & University of East Anglia Norwich

2001-2006 Lecturer at the University of York (Biology Department)

From 2006 Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University (School of Dentistry)

Memberships / External Activities

BSMB member

ASMB member

Supervisions

I am interested in supervising research students in the following areas:

  • Tissue repair and regeneration
  • Oral cancer
  • Regulation of signalling by proteolysis
  • Stem cell markers
  • protein engineering