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Meike Heurich-Sevcenco

Dr Meike Heurich-Sevcenco

Senior Lecturer

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Email
HeurichM@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29208 76657
Campuses
Redwood Building, Room 2.57B, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

I am a Senior Lecturer at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences after joining the School in January 2017.

A Biochemist by training (Germany, 2003), I specialised in Analytical Biochemistry as part of my master thesis, and I gained my PhD (UK, 2008) in Applied Biochemistry & Biophysics and Biosensor development.

When I moved to Cardiff as a post-doctoral researcher in 2008, I joined the Complement Biology group ed by Prof C. Harris and Prof P. Morgan at the School of Medicine, Cardiff University. 

In 2012, I was awarded an independent career development research fellowship  (NISCHR, now Health and Care Research Wales) investigating the cross-talk mechanisms of complement with the coagulation system, working with Prof P. Collins at the School of Medicine, Cardiff. There, I established an independent research group in the field of Complement and Coagulation research.

In 2017, I was appointed Lecturer at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where I lead a group that focuses on the discovery and functional characterization of molecular crosstalk of blood proteins: primarily of the innate immune complement with the coagulation pathways. I also investigate the pathophysiology of these pathways in disease, with a particular focus of the role of complement and coagulation in the development of psychosis and schizophrenia.

We are interested in discovering novel blood biomarkers that may predict the development of psychosis, and identifying potential therapeutic targets through the analysis of complement and coagulation components and their activation products in blood plasma in disease.

The lab also develops and undertakes screening assays for the characterisation of small molecule inhibitors of complement and coagulation serine proteases and protein-protein interactions.

Keywords: biochemistry; biosensor; blood; innate immune system, complement; coagulation; psychosis

Publication

2024

2023

2022

2021

2019

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Articles

Book sections

Research

Research areas

  • Mechanisms of complement and coagulation molecular crosstalk in health and disease
  • Role of altered complement and coagulation pathways in psychosis
  • Blood biomarkers
  • Complement therapeutics

My past research has largely focussed on the characterisation of protein structure-function analysis leading to dysregulation of the complement system, part of the innate immune defence, including the complotype.

https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.molimm.2015.03.248

https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.it.2012.06.001

https://doi.org/10.1073%2Fpnas.1019338108

https://doi.org/10.1172%2Fjci43343

My research lab at the School of Pharmacy investigates the molecular crosstalk between the two innate defence systems against i) pathogen invasion and ii) bleeding, namely complement and coagulation. Both complement and coagulation systems are structurally and organisationally similar protein cascades that are activated by defined triggers, often in parallel.

Dysregulation of these systems have been associated with many diseases with pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant pathology.

We are currently studying complement and coagulation crosstalk on the protein and cellular level in vitro and investigating in vivo mechanisms.

Current projects include:

i) With clinical colleagues at the School of Medicine and UHW Cardiff we are analysing the impact of complement factor H on coagulation function building on past work characterising the crosstalk of coagulation regulator thrombomodulin with complement regulator factor H.

https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.thromres.2016.07.017

Our most recent work describing "Complement Regulator Factor H is a Cofactor for Thrombin in both Pro- and Anticoagulant Roles" can be viewed as full-text preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.22.452893v1

ii) In collaboration with colleagues at RCSI Dublin and RSCI Dublin my lab is studying the impact of complement and coagulation activation in individuals who progress to psychotic experiences or psychotic disorders.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-018-0306-z

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.01.018

https://doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.245

My most recent review article "Dysregulation of complement and coagulation pathways: emerging mechanisms in the development of psychosis" describing the integral roles of these blood-borne pathways in the development of psychosis. Access the review article here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-021-01197-9

Postdoc opportunities

Dr Heurich was awarded Wellcome Trust funding for a postdoctoral position in her lab commencing in 2021.

Schizophrenia is among the most expensive disorders in terms of quality of life and societal cost and there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the interplay between genetic and environmental factors is important in the disease. We are investigating the plasma protein biomarkers of psychosis using mass spectrometry-based and biochemistry methods. We are using internationally unique samples, which we will use for discovery and validation studies. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with Dr Gerard Cagney's proteomics lab at University College Dublin and Prof David Cotter’s lab at RSCI Dublin (see above for collaboration and publications, ii)

We are currently seeking a postdoctoral research associate to join the project team led by Dr Meike Heurich at the Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences studying functional blood plasma biomarkers to analyse the risk of transition from clinical high risk to psychotic disorder. This research project is funded by the Wellcome Trust  Innovations Flagship Programme.

Starting date in Spring/Summer 2021 (job opening/advert TBA).

Please email heurichm@cardiff.ac.uk for further inquiries.

THIS POSITION HAS NOW BEEN FILLED.

PhD opportunities

(SELF-FUNDED ONLY)

Dr Heurich is offering several PhD student opportunities starting October 2023. Note, self-funded only.

Please email heurichm@cardiff.ac.uk for further inquiries.

What's going on in the Heurich lab:

Here is the link to the ISTH 2020 congress (https://www.isth2020.org/), where our abstract was selected for oral presentation, which was delivered by PhD student Genevieve McCluskey.

here is the link to the ISTH highlights interview:

Here is the link to the Complement UK meeting 2021, where our abstract was selected for both oral and poster presentation. PhD student Genevieve McCluskey presented and won the oral presentation price. Congratulations!

https://complement.org.uk/conference/

Upcoming events

Complement UK, April 2023

The lab will be attending the Complement Diagnostics and Therapeutics – 7th Complement UK Symposium and Training Course. Meike is leading a tutorial about complement in disease. https://complement.org.uk/conference/

 

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Events and NEWS

2022

November

The lab attending the annual Cardiff Infection & Immunity meeting. https://www.iandiannualmeeting.co.uk/ Dr E Kodosaki is presenting a poster showcasing her recent work in the IMPETUS study funded by the Wellcome Trust: " Dysregulation of the blood-based immune complement pathways: emerging mechanisms in the development of psychosis".

September

We attended the NOVEL MECHANISMS, TOOLS, AND THERAPIES IN NEURO INFLAMMATION meeting at at King’s College London and presented a poster about early results from the IMPETUS study funded by the Wellcome Trust.

2021

July

Pleased to provide a preview of our most recent exciting research "Complement Regulator Factor H is a Cofactor for Thrombin in both Pro- and Anticoagulant Roles" as full-text preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.22.452893v1

Pleased to publish our review "Dysregulation of complement and coagulation pathways: emerging mechanisms in the development of psychosis" describing the integral roles of these blood-borne pathways in the development of psychosis. Access the review article here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-021-01197-9

Related NEWS can be viewed here:

https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/news/news-article/2021/07/new-theory-suggests-changes-in-blood-immune-and-clotting-components-could-contribute-to-psychosis

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210716112446.htm

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/blood-clotting-immune-system-psychosis

https://neurosciencenews.com/blood-immune-clotting-psychosis-18932/

April

Dr Meike Heurich giving an oral presentation in Session 5 on 1st April 3021 at the virtual Hemostasis Science Weeks 2021.

hthttps://www.siemens-healthineers.com/news-and-events/conferences-events-new/hemostasis-science-weekstps://live.hemostasis-science-weeks.siemens-healthineers-events.com/

SPR Symposium 2021, our virtual Biacore SPR Symposium on the 20th April 2020 from 13.30pm is bringing together scientists to share and enhance their knowledge of Biacore Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology for the analysis of a range of biomolecular interactions.

For registration and details:

https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/events/view/2501591-biacore-spr-symposium-2021

organised by Central Biotechnology Services Cardiff and Dr Meike Heurich.

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We hope that you found the virtual SPR symposium on the 20th of April interesting - and are now inspired to start thinking about how you can use SPR-Biacore technology for your work!

CBS Cardiff is hosting another free, virtual event focussing on SPR/Biacore application and training presented by Biacore specialist John Sinfield:

'Biacore SPR Symposium Application Training Day by Cytiva (hosted by CBS)' on Tuesday 11th May. 

Here is the link to register:

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.

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Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine - Call for papers

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/expert-reviews-in-molecular-medicine/information/call-for-papers

Teaching

Courses

  • MPharm
  • MSc Cancer Biology
  • MSc Clinical Research

Lectures

Module lead PH1123 module: Structure and function of cells and microbes

  • PH1123 module: Structure and function of cells - Cell Biology, unit lead
  • PH1124 module: Human body systems  - Basic Immunology, unit lead
  • PH2113 module: Drugs and Diseases 1 - Clinical Immunology, unit lead
  • PH3113 module: Drugs and Diseases 2 -  Rheumatology
  • PHT801 Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer -  Immunology
  • PHT801 Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer - Immunotherapy
  • PHT804 MSc Cancer Biology - Research Methods
  • PHT202 MSc Clinical Research - Immunology

Practical

  • PH1124 module: Basic Anatomy
  • PH1124 module: Pharmacology

Workshops

  • PH1124: Immunology in disease
  • PHT801: Immunotherapy in Cancer
  • PHT804: Research Methodology, biophysics, surface plasmon resonance

Other

Non-modular teaching and teaching support, postgraduate research student supervision (PhD, MSc)

Biography

08/2022 - present  - Senior Lecturer 

Research in Protein Biochemistry and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, UK.

01/2017 – Lecturer (Teaching & Research)

Research in Protein Biochemistry and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, UK.

06/2016 -12/2016          Senior Postdoc in Molecular Virology, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Infection & Immunity, Cardiff University, UK, “Developing human cytomegalovirus (CMV) for expansion of CD8+ T Cells with improved in vivo lifespan for immunotherapy”.

09/2013 – 08/2014        Lecturer secondment (Clinical Medicine, part-time alongside career development fellowship), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK

03/2012 – 06/2016        Career Development Research Fellowship in Blood Protein Biochemistry, Institute of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK. “Cross-interaction of the innate immune response (complement system) with coagulation proteins in blood disorders”.

09/2011 – 02/2012          Postdoc/Research Associate in Complement Biology, Institute of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences and Institute of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK. “The role of complement receptor CR1 in Alzheimer’s disease”.

09/2008 – 08/2011           Postdoc/Research Associate in Complement Biology, Department of Infection, Immunity & Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK. “The role of complement dysregulation in disease” & “The Complotype: dictating risk for inflammation and infection”.

04/2007-07/2008          Research Assistant in Complement Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK.

Education

04/2004 – 04/2008        PhD in Biochemical and Biophysical Research, Cranfield Biotechnology Centre, Cranfield University, UK. “Development of a screen-printed, voltammetric electrochemical biosensor for the immunosuppressant mycotoxin ochratoxin A”.

03/2003 – 09/2003        Master thesis, Institute of Biomedicine and Chemistry, Kalmar University, Sweden. “Development of a diagnostic tool for markers of ischemic heart disease for early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction”.

10/1997 – 09/2003        Diploma in Biochemistry, Germany

Honours and awards

02/2012                         Career Development Research Fellowship Award, NISCHR (now Health and Care Research Wales)

12/2010                         Young Scientist of the Year Award, British Society for Immunology

Professional memberships

2017 – present                                    European Haematology Association

2012 – present                                    International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis

2009 – present                                    British Society for Immunology

2008 – present                                    International Complement Society

2005 – present                                    Biochemical Society, UK

Supervisions

Protein Biochemistry

Protein-protein interaction

Complement Biology

Blood proteins of the immune and coagulation systems

Blood proteins in the pathophysiology of disease