Kate Bresner
Senior Technician, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
- bresnercm@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2068 8362
- 2.01 - Desk 50, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
I have worked at Cardiff University since 2010. During that time, I have been a member of a core facility and led a several laboratory research projects.
Within my most recent role as Research Manager for the Alzheimer's Research Group, I am responsible for the operation of the Aleheimer’s Disease Genetics Team, planning, organising and delivering projects both within the University and in collaboration with world-renowned scientists. I am also responsible for a large part of research funding and grant management. I also provide professional advice and guidance on research sample management and Human Tissue Act compliance processes and procedures.
I am a member of the Institute of Science and Technology and have been awarded professional registration (RSci) by the Science Council.
2010 - present: Cardiff University School of Medicine, Senior Technician (Neurodegeneneration)
Identification of variations in the genomic sequence which increase susceptibility to neurological disorders using a variety of sequencing techniques including:
- Profiling post-translational modifications of histone proteins as a determiant of Parkonson's disease susceptibility in frozen brain tissue using ChIP-seq.
- Epigenetic investigation using array-based methylation assays.
- Sanger sequencing to identify Single Nucleotide Polymorhpisms (SNPs) and insertions / deletions (indels) using capillary electrophoresis
- Competitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) using Fluorescent Resonance Energy transfer (FRET) to identify specific SNPs and indels.
- Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay (MLPA) for simultaneous detection of deletions and duplications in genes associated with disease.
- Array-based assays which provide high throughput whole genome amplification allowing almost unlimited SNP detection and copy number variation (CNV) analysis.
2019
- Tan, M. M.et al. 2019. Genetic analysis of Mendelian mutations in a large UK population-based Parkinson's disease study. Brain 142(9), pp. 2828-2844. (10.1093/brain/awz191)
2018
- Malek, N.et al. 2018. Features of GBA-associated Parkinson's disease at presentation in the UK Tracking Parkinson's study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 89(7), pp. 702-709. (10.1136/jnnp-2017-317348)
2016
- Malek, N.et al. 2016. Olfaction in Parkin single and compound heterozygotes in a cohort of young onset Parkinson's disease patients. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 134(4), pp. 271-276. (10.1111/ane.12538)
2015
- Malek, N.et al. 2015. Tracking Parkinson's: study design and baseline patient data. Journal of Parkinson's Disease 5(4), pp. 947-959. (10.3233/JPD-150662)
I have focused my interest on the genetic basis of neurodegenerative disorders. My recent research projects investigated the genetic basis of Parkinson's disease. My roles to date have been laboratory-based, where I used a diverse range of complex techniques in order to generate high quality biological data which is then used for statistical analysis.
I am currently Research Manager with the Alzheimer's Disease Research Group and am involved in many projects related to Alzheimer's and Dementia research, both within Cardiff University and also large international collaborations.