![Georgina Menzies](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1130?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Georgina Menzies
Darlithydd
Ysgol y Biowyddorau
- MenziesG@caerdydd.ac.uk
- +44 29206 88463
- Adeilad Syr Martin Evans, Rhodfa'r Amgueddfa, Caerdydd, CF10 3AX
- Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig
Trosolwyg
Structural and functional investigations using molecular modelling and molecular simulations
My main research interests involve studying DNA repair pathways, in particular, the protein and DNA structures using molecular modelling techniques. I also collaborate with a number of other researchers and research groups to provide structural and functional information for their biological structure of interest. This ranges from drugs to anti-bodies and proteins.
Most of my research involves techniques including molecular dynamics, coarse grain modelling and mathematical modelling. I use these models resulting from these studies to elucidate information as to how structural changes may be affecting the function of the biological system. A large part of this is data analysis. All model systems produce 'large data' sets and I utilise multivariate analysis tools to decipher patterns and correlate this back to biological answers.
I have always been interested in how structure relates to function and am always interested in studying something new.
Cyhoeddiad
2023
- Lancaster, T. et al. 2023. Proof-of-concept recall-by-genotype study of extremely low and high Alzheimer’s polygenic risk reveals autobiographical deficits and cingulate cortex correlates. Alzheimer's Research and Therapy 15, article number: 213. (10.1186/s13195-023-01362-y)
- Mack, A. H., Menzies, G., Southgate, A., Jones, D. D., Connor, T. R. and Leitner, T. 2023. A proofreading mutation with an allosteric effect allows a cluster of SARS-CoV-2 viruses to rapidly evolve. Molecular Biology and Evolution 40(10), article number: msad209. (10.1093/molbev/msad209)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2023. Structure–activity relationships of low molecular weight alginate oligosaccharide therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biomolecules 13(9), article number: 1366. (10.3390/biom13091366)
- Ramakrishnan, K. et al. 2023. Glycosylation increases active site rigidity leading to improved enzyme stability and turnover. The FEBS Journal 290(15), pp. 3812-3827. (10.1111/febs.16783)
2022
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2022. Topical, immunomodulatory epoxy-tiglianes induce biofilm disruption and healing in acute and chronic skin wounds. Science Translational Medicine 14(662) (10.1126/scitranslmed.abn3758)
- Bracher-Smith, M. et al. 2022. Machine learning for prediction of schizophrenia using genetic and demographic factors in the UK Biobank. Schizophrenia Research 246, pp. 156-164. (10.1016/j.schres.2022.06.006)
- McAllister, B. et al. 2022. Exome sequencing of individuals with Huntington’s disease implicates FAN1 nuclease activity in slowing CAG expansion and disease onset. Nature Neuroscience 25, pp. 446-457. (10.1038/s41593-022-01033-5)
2021
- Menzies, G. E. and Torvell, M. 2021. Exciting new tools for studying TREM2 in dementia. Structure 29(11), pp. 1215-1216. (10.1016/j.str.2021.10.009)
- Menzies, G., Prior, I. A., Brancale, A., Reed, S. H. and Lewis, P. D. 2021. Carcinogen-induced DNA structural distortion differences in the RAS gene isoforms; the importance of local sequence. BMC Chemistry 15, article number: 51. (10.1186/s13065-021-00777-8)
- Maguire, E. et al. 2021. PIP2 depletion and altered endocytosis caused by expression of Alzheimer's disease-protective variant PLCγ2 R522. EMBO Journal 40(17), article number: e105603. (10.15252/embj.2020105603)
- de Rojas, I. et al. 2021. Common variants in Alzheimer's disease and risk stratification by polygenic risk scores. Nature Communications 12(1), article number: 3417. (10.1038/s41467-021-22491-8)
- Dennison, C. A. et al. 2021. Association of genetic liability for psychiatric disorders with accelerometer-assessed physical activity in the UK Biobank. PLoS ONE 16(3), article number: e0249189. (10.1371/journal.pone.0249189)
2020
- Zelek, W. M., Menzies, G. E., Brancale, A., Stockinger, B. and Morgan, B. P. 2020. Characterising the original anti-C5 function-blocking antibody, BB5.1, for species specificity, mode of action and interactions with C5. Immunology 161(2), pp. 103-113., article number: Volume161, Issue2 October 2020 Pages 103-113. (10.1111/imm.13228)
- Bellou, E. et al. 2020. Age-dependent effect of APOE and polygenic component on Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiology of Aging 93, pp. 69-77., article number: Neurobiology of Aging Volume 93, September 2020, Pages 69-77. (10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.04.024)
- Grama, S. et al. 2020. Polygenic risk for schizophrenia and subcortical brain anatomy in the UK Biobank cohort. Translational Psychiatry 10, article number: 309. (10.1038/s41398-020-00940-0)
2019
- Legge, S. E. et al. 2019. Association of genetic liability to psychotic experiences with neuropsychotic disorders and traits. JAMA Psychiatry 76(12), pp. 1256-1265. (10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.2508)
- Kunkle, B. W. et al. 2019. Genetic meta-analysis of diagnosed Alzheimer's disease identifies new risk loci and implicates Aβ, tau, immunity and lipid processing. Nature Genetics 51(3), pp. 414-430. (10.1038/s41588-019-0358-2)
- Grozeva, D., Saad, S., Menzies, G. E. and Sims, R. 2019. Benefits and challenges of rare genetic variation in Alzheimer's disease. Current Genetic Medicine Reports 7(1), pp. 53-62. (10.1007/s40142-019-0161-5)
- Escott-Price, V., Bracher-Smith, M., Menzies, G., Walters, J., Kirov, G., Owen, M. J. and O'Donovan, M. C. 2019. Genetic liability to schizophrenia is negatively associated with educational attainment in UK Biobank. Journal of Molecular Psychiatry, pp. -. (10.1038/s41380-018-0328-6)
2018
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2018. Targeted disruption of the extracellular polymeric network of pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by alginate oligosaccharides. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 4, article number: 13. (10.1038/s41522-018-0056-3)
- Sims, R. et al. 2018. Meta-analysis of genetic association with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease identifies novel risk loci and implicates Abeta, Tau, immunity and lipid processing. [Online]. bioRxiv. (10.1101/294629) Available at: https://doi.org/10.1101/294629
2017
- Bryant, A. H. et al. 2017. Human gestation-associated tissues express functional cytosolic nucleic acid sensing pattern recognition receptors. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 189(1), pp. 36-46. (10.1111/cei.12960)
2016
- Avancini, D., Menzies, G., Morgan, C., Wills, J., Johnson, G. E., White, P. A. and Lewis, P. D. 2016. MutAIT: an online genetic toxicology data portal and analysis tools. Mutagenesis 31(3), pp. 323-328. (10.1093/mutage/gev050)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2016. A new class of safe oligosaccharide polymer therapy to modify the mucus barrier of chronic respiratory disease. Molecular Pharmaceutics 13(3), pp. 863-872. (10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00794)
2015
- Lewis, P. and Menzies, G. 2015. Vibrational spectra, principal components analysis and the horseshoe effect. Vibrational Spectroscopy 81, pp. 62-67. (10.1016/j.vibspec.2015.10.002)
- Menzies, G., Reed, S. H., Brancale, A. and Lewis, P. D. 2015. Base damage, local sequence context and TP53 mutation hotspots: a molecular dynamics study of benzo[a]pyrene induced DNA distortion and mutability. Nucleic Acids Research 43(19), pp. 9133-9146. (10.1093/nar/gkv910)
2014
- Menzies, G. et al. 2014. Fourier transform infrared for noninvasive optical diagnosis of oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer. Translational Research 163(1), pp. 19-26. (10.1016/j.trsl.2013.09.006)
Articles
- Lancaster, T. et al. 2023. Proof-of-concept recall-by-genotype study of extremely low and high Alzheimer’s polygenic risk reveals autobiographical deficits and cingulate cortex correlates. Alzheimer's Research and Therapy 15, article number: 213. (10.1186/s13195-023-01362-y)
- Mack, A. H., Menzies, G., Southgate, A., Jones, D. D., Connor, T. R. and Leitner, T. 2023. A proofreading mutation with an allosteric effect allows a cluster of SARS-CoV-2 viruses to rapidly evolve. Molecular Biology and Evolution 40(10), article number: msad209. (10.1093/molbev/msad209)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2023. Structure–activity relationships of low molecular weight alginate oligosaccharide therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biomolecules 13(9), article number: 1366. (10.3390/biom13091366)
- Ramakrishnan, K. et al. 2023. Glycosylation increases active site rigidity leading to improved enzyme stability and turnover. The FEBS Journal 290(15), pp. 3812-3827. (10.1111/febs.16783)
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2022. Topical, immunomodulatory epoxy-tiglianes induce biofilm disruption and healing in acute and chronic skin wounds. Science Translational Medicine 14(662) (10.1126/scitranslmed.abn3758)
- Bracher-Smith, M. et al. 2022. Machine learning for prediction of schizophrenia using genetic and demographic factors in the UK Biobank. Schizophrenia Research 246, pp. 156-164. (10.1016/j.schres.2022.06.006)
- McAllister, B. et al. 2022. Exome sequencing of individuals with Huntington’s disease implicates FAN1 nuclease activity in slowing CAG expansion and disease onset. Nature Neuroscience 25, pp. 446-457. (10.1038/s41593-022-01033-5)
- Menzies, G. E. and Torvell, M. 2021. Exciting new tools for studying TREM2 in dementia. Structure 29(11), pp. 1215-1216. (10.1016/j.str.2021.10.009)
- Menzies, G., Prior, I. A., Brancale, A., Reed, S. H. and Lewis, P. D. 2021. Carcinogen-induced DNA structural distortion differences in the RAS gene isoforms; the importance of local sequence. BMC Chemistry 15, article number: 51. (10.1186/s13065-021-00777-8)
- Maguire, E. et al. 2021. PIP2 depletion and altered endocytosis caused by expression of Alzheimer's disease-protective variant PLCγ2 R522. EMBO Journal 40(17), article number: e105603. (10.15252/embj.2020105603)
- de Rojas, I. et al. 2021. Common variants in Alzheimer's disease and risk stratification by polygenic risk scores. Nature Communications 12(1), article number: 3417. (10.1038/s41467-021-22491-8)
- Dennison, C. A. et al. 2021. Association of genetic liability for psychiatric disorders with accelerometer-assessed physical activity in the UK Biobank. PLoS ONE 16(3), article number: e0249189. (10.1371/journal.pone.0249189)
- Zelek, W. M., Menzies, G. E., Brancale, A., Stockinger, B. and Morgan, B. P. 2020. Characterising the original anti-C5 function-blocking antibody, BB5.1, for species specificity, mode of action and interactions with C5. Immunology 161(2), pp. 103-113., article number: Volume161, Issue2 October 2020 Pages 103-113. (10.1111/imm.13228)
- Bellou, E. et al. 2020. Age-dependent effect of APOE and polygenic component on Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiology of Aging 93, pp. 69-77., article number: Neurobiology of Aging Volume 93, September 2020, Pages 69-77. (10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.04.024)
- Grama, S. et al. 2020. Polygenic risk for schizophrenia and subcortical brain anatomy in the UK Biobank cohort. Translational Psychiatry 10, article number: 309. (10.1038/s41398-020-00940-0)
- Legge, S. E. et al. 2019. Association of genetic liability to psychotic experiences with neuropsychotic disorders and traits. JAMA Psychiatry 76(12), pp. 1256-1265. (10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.2508)
- Kunkle, B. W. et al. 2019. Genetic meta-analysis of diagnosed Alzheimer's disease identifies new risk loci and implicates Aβ, tau, immunity and lipid processing. Nature Genetics 51(3), pp. 414-430. (10.1038/s41588-019-0358-2)
- Grozeva, D., Saad, S., Menzies, G. E. and Sims, R. 2019. Benefits and challenges of rare genetic variation in Alzheimer's disease. Current Genetic Medicine Reports 7(1), pp. 53-62. (10.1007/s40142-019-0161-5)
- Escott-Price, V., Bracher-Smith, M., Menzies, G., Walters, J., Kirov, G., Owen, M. J. and O'Donovan, M. C. 2019. Genetic liability to schizophrenia is negatively associated with educational attainment in UK Biobank. Journal of Molecular Psychiatry, pp. -. (10.1038/s41380-018-0328-6)
- Powell, L. C. et al. 2018. Targeted disruption of the extracellular polymeric network of pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by alginate oligosaccharides. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 4, article number: 13. (10.1038/s41522-018-0056-3)
- Bryant, A. H. et al. 2017. Human gestation-associated tissues express functional cytosolic nucleic acid sensing pattern recognition receptors. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 189(1), pp. 36-46. (10.1111/cei.12960)
- Avancini, D., Menzies, G., Morgan, C., Wills, J., Johnson, G. E., White, P. A. and Lewis, P. D. 2016. MutAIT: an online genetic toxicology data portal and analysis tools. Mutagenesis 31(3), pp. 323-328. (10.1093/mutage/gev050)
- Pritchard, M. F. et al. 2016. A new class of safe oligosaccharide polymer therapy to modify the mucus barrier of chronic respiratory disease. Molecular Pharmaceutics 13(3), pp. 863-872. (10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00794)
- Lewis, P. and Menzies, G. 2015. Vibrational spectra, principal components analysis and the horseshoe effect. Vibrational Spectroscopy 81, pp. 62-67. (10.1016/j.vibspec.2015.10.002)
- Menzies, G., Reed, S. H., Brancale, A. and Lewis, P. D. 2015. Base damage, local sequence context and TP53 mutation hotspots: a molecular dynamics study of benzo[a]pyrene induced DNA distortion and mutability. Nucleic Acids Research 43(19), pp. 9133-9146. (10.1093/nar/gkv910)
- Menzies, G. et al. 2014. Fourier transform infrared for noninvasive optical diagnosis of oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer. Translational Research 163(1), pp. 19-26. (10.1016/j.trsl.2013.09.006)
Websites
- Sims, R. et al. 2018. Meta-analysis of genetic association with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease identifies novel risk loci and implicates Abeta, Tau, immunity and lipid processing. [Online]. bioRxiv. (10.1101/294629) Available at: https://doi.org/10.1101/294629
Ymchwil
Collaborators;
- Dr Rebecca Sims (Medicine) and Prof Julie Williams (DRI, Medicine)
- Prof Vincent Dion (DRI, Medicine)
- Prof David Thomas, Dr Katja Hill and Dr Manon Pritchard (Dentistry)
- Dr Dafydd Jones (Biosciences)
- Dr Renatta Jurkowska (Biosciences)
Addysgu
- Arweinydd Modiwl BIT107
- Arweinydd Modiwl BIT106
- Bioleg Data Mawr Dirprwy Arweinydd Cwrs
- Darlithydd - BI3255 - Bioleg synthetig a Pheirianneg Protein.
- Darlithydd - CM2203 - Gwybodeg.
- Darlithydd a Goruchwyliwr - BI3008 - Technegau Ymchwil Uwch
- Goruchwyliwr - BI4001 - Prosiect Reserach Uwch (Meistr Integredig)
- Goruchwyliwr - BI3001 - Prosiect Rearch (BSc)
- Cyfrannwr - BI1001 - Sgiliau Gwyddoniaeth
Bywgraffiad
April 2020 - present | Lecturer | Cardiff University School of Biosciences |
June 2018 - April 2020 | Ser Cymru II Fellow | Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University |
| December 2016 - June 2018 | Post-Doctoral Research Associate | Cardiff University. MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics & Genomics |
| July 2014 - December 2016 | Post-Doctoral Research Assistant | Swansea University - Tailored OligoG Project - funded by Norwegian Research Council |
January 2015 - January 2016 | Developer | MutAIT project (http://mutait.org/home.html) |
June 2012 - June 2014 | Research Assistant | Swansea University - Celtic Alliance for NanoHealth Project - funded by INTERREG IVA Ireland Wales Program |
After gaining my BSc(Hons) in Forensic Science from the University of Glamorgan I studied for a MSc in Molecular Modelling from Cardiff University. My PhD focused on the structure of DNA in cancer hotspot sites but I also worked on projects studying spectroscopy as a form of early diagnostic.
Anrhydeddau a dyfarniadau
CLIRSPC attendance and travel bursary for SPEC2016
SDMF seed corn grant 2015 (£2,500)
UKEMS conference attendance bursary for EEMS 2014 and UKEMS 2013
EuroTox bursary for conference fees 2014
Aelodaethau proffesiynol
ARUK Wales Network
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
United Kingdom Environmental Mutagenesis Society (UKEMS)
Molecular Graphics and Modelling Society (MGMS)
The International Society for Clinical Spectroscopy (CLIRSPEC)
Safleoedd academaidd blaenorol
|
April 2020 -
present
|
Lecturer | Cardiff University School of Biosciences |
|
June 2018 -
April 2020
|
Ser Cymru II Fellow | Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University |
| December 2016 - June 2018 | Post-Doctoral Research Associate | Cardiff University. MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics & Genomics |
| July 2014 - December 2016 | Post-Doctoral Research Assistant | Swansea University - Tailored OligoG Project - funded by Norwegian Research Council |
|
January 2015 -
January 2016
|
Developer |
MutAIT project (http://mutait.org/home.html) |
|
June 2012 -
June 2014
|
Research Assistant |
Swansea University - Celtic Alliance for NanoHealth Project - funded by INTERREG IVA Ireland Wales Program |
Pwyllgorau ac adolygu
- Cynrychiolydd ECR (Rhwydwaith ARUK a thema atgyweirio DNA, Sefydliad Ymchwil Dementia)
- Pwyllgor Cymuned Athena Swan
- Aelod o bwyllgor gweithredol Sefydliad Ymchwil Dementia 2018 - presennol
- Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK) Rhwydwaith De Cymru ECR Rep.
- Trefnydd - ARUK Digwyddiadau ymgysylltu â'r cyhoedd - 2019, 2021, 2023
- Cyd-drefnydd - Diwrnod Agored ARUK 2018, Adeilad Hadyn Ellis
Adolygydd Grant
- Cymdeithas Alzheimer
Adolygydd Journal
- Adeiladwaith
- Niwrowyddoniaeth Drosiadol
Golygydd Cyfnodolion
-
Ffiniau mewn Dementia
Meysydd goruchwyliaeth
Mae gen i ddiddordeb mewn goruchwylio myfyrwyr yn y maes;
- Datblygu llwyfannau Modelu Moleciwlaidd ar gyfer dadansoddi strucural DNA
- Efelychiadau Molecular Dynamics o systemau CRISPR
- Efelychiadau Dyanamics Moleciwlaidd o dreigladau protein
- Efelychiadau a dadansoddiad o strucutre DNA mewn perthynas â llwybrau atgyweirio
Goruchwylio neu oruchwylio presennol:
- Antione Mangin; Optimeiddio darpariaeth Cas9 fel triniaeth golygu genynnau mewn ailadrodd CAG / CTG ehangu. - PhD, ail oruchwyliwr
- James Davies; carcinogenau a'u rhyngweithio â DNA / atgyweirio machineary - PhD, goruchwyliwr cynradd
- Rebekah Cooke; Defnyddio gwrthgyrff fel templedi i ddatblygu cyffuriau gwrth-ategu moleciwlau bach i'w danfon i ymennydd Alzheimer. - PhD, ail oruchwyliwr
- Edward Birt; Cyfuniad o astudiaethau silico ac in vitro i ddeall rheoleiddio microglia gan y genyn risg clefyd Alzheimer ATP8B4. - PhD, ail oruchwyliwr
Prosiectau'r gorffennol
- Elisa Salis - PhD a ddyfarnwyd 2022
- James Davies - Meistr Integredig - 2021/2