![Emma Blain BSc PhD SFHEA](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/633?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Emma Blain
(she/her)
BSc PhD SFHEA
Reader
School of Biosciences
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
My research elucidates the cellular and molecular events that are involved in the mechano-regulation of articular cartilage homeostasis, the mechanism/s that propagate mechanically-mediated joint degeneration and identification of therapeutic targets for intervention. I am a Co-applicant of the Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Versus Arthritis in Cardiff University and manage the mechanical loading laboratory in the School of Biosciences (Figure 1), where I have established cell, explant and animal models to investigate how mechanical load influences joint homeostasis and pathology.
Roles
Institution Athena SWAN student data sub-group chair
Diversity, Culture and Belonging: 'Parents and Carers' committee member
Biomedicine REF Output Reviewer
Module Lead: BI3356 Musculoskeletal System: Disease, Repair and Regenerative Medicine
Module Lead: BIT001 Cellular and Molecular Biology
Personal Tutor
Interested in joining my lab as a self-funded post-graduate student or a postdoc/fellow? Please contact me by email.
Publication
2024
- Gilbert, S. J. et al. 2024. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of articular cartilage of post-traumatic osteoarthritis mouse models. Disease Models & Mechanisms 17(10), article number: dmm050583. (10.1242/dmm.050583)
2023
- Dintwa, L., Hughes, C. E. and Blain, E. J. 2023. Importance of mechanical cues in regulating musculoskeletal circadian clock rhythmicity: implications for articular cartilage. Physiological Reports 11(15), article number: e15780. (10.14814/phy2.15780)
2022
- Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J. and Mason, D. J. 2022. Interferon-gamma modulates articular chondrocyte and osteoblast metabolism through protein kinase R-independent and dependent mechanisms. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports 32, article number: 101323. (10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101323)
- Markov, P., Zhu, H., Boote, C. and Blain, E. J. 2022. Delayed reorganisation of F-actin cytoskeleton and reversible chromatin condensation in scleral fibroblasts under simulated pathological strain. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports 32, article number: 101338.
2021
- Gilbert, S. J., Bonnet, C. S. and Blain, E. J. 2021. Mechanical cues: bidirectional reciprocity in the extracellular matrix drives mechano-signalling in articular cartilage. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(24), article number: 13595. (10.3390/ijms222413595)
- Markov, P., Hayes, A. J., Zhu, H., Boote, C. and Blain, E. J. 2021. 3D immuno-confocal image reconstruction of fibroblast cytoskeleton and nucleus architecture. Journal of Biophotonics 14(1), article number: e202000202. (10.1002/jbio.202000202)
- Stadnik, P. S. et al. 2021. Regulation of microRNA‐221, ‐222, ‐21 and ‐27 in articular cartilage subjected to abnormal compressive forces. Journal of Physiology 599(1), pp. 143-155., article number: V. (10.1113/JP279810)
2020
- Lawrence, E. A., Hammond, C. L. and Blain, E. J. 2020. Potential of zebrafish as a model to characterise MicroRNA profiles in mechanically mediated joint degeneration. Histochemistry and Cell Biology 154, pp. 521-531. (10.1007/s00418-020-01918-1)
- Bonnet, C. S., Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Williams, A. S. and Mason, D. J. 2020. AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor antagonists prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis. JCI Insight 5(13), article number: e134055. (10.1172/jci.insight.134055)
2019
- Carter, J. and Blain, E. 2019. Effects of Superoxide Dismutase 1 on cartilage chondrocyte metabolism: a protective mechanism against ankle osteoarthritis?. The British Student Doctor Journal 3(3), pp. 35-37. (10.18573/bsdj.125)
- Pijanka, J. K. et al. 2019. Quantification of collagen fiber structure using second harmonic generation imaging and two‐dimensional discrete Fourier transform analysis: application to the human optic nerve head. Journal of Biophotonics 12(5), article number: e201800376. (10.1002/jbio.201800376)
- Al-Sabah, A., Burnell, S. E., Simoes, I. N., Jessop, Z., Badiei, N., Blain, E. and Whitaker, I. S. 2019. Structural and mechanical characterization of crosslinked and sterilised nanocellulose-based hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering. Carbohydrate Polymers 212, pp. 242-251. (10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.02.057)
- Markov, P., Boote, C., Zhu, H. and Blain, E. 2019. Building a cell-specific cytoskeletal finite element model of scleral fibroblasts. Presented at: 25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB 2019), Vienna, Austria, 7-10 July 2019. pp. -.
- Markov, P., Boote, C., Zhu, H. and Blain, E. 2019. Effects of mechanical load on cytoskeletal protein arrangement in scleral fibroblasts. Presented at: The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 28 April -- 2 May 2019.
2018
- Gilbert, S. J., Bonnet, C. S., Stadnik, P., Duance, V. C., Mason, D. J. and Blain, E. J. 2018. Inflammatory and degenerative phases resulting from anterior cruciate rupture in a non-invasive murine model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 36(8), pp. 2118-2127. (10.1002/jor.23872)
- Blain, E. and Duance, V. 2018. Meniscus. In: Hutson, M. and Speed, C. eds. Sports Injuries. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press, pp. 45-53.
- Gilbert, S. and Blain, E. 2018. Cartilage mechanobiology: how chondrocytes respond to mechanical load. In: Verbruggen, S. ed. Mechanobiology in Health and Disease. London UK: Elsevier, pp. 99-126.
- Markov, P., Blain, E. and Zhu, H. 2018. Can particle accelerators help prevent blindness?. Presented at: The UCL SenSyT (Sensory Systems, Technologies and Therapies) Symposium 2018, UCL, London, 3 December 2018.
2017
- Wilkinson, D. J. et al. 2017. The serine proteinase hepsin is an activator of pro-matrix metalloproteinases: molecular mechanisms and implications for extracellular matrix turnover. Scientific Reports 7, article number: 16693. (10.1038/s41598-017-17028-3)
2016
- Khatib, N., Metcalfe, A., Blain, E., Mason, D. and Holt, C. 2016. Developing an in vitro model of healthy and OA medial knee compartmental loading. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 24(Supp 1), pp. S344., article number: 564. (10.1016/j.joca.2016.01.617)
- Al-Sabah, A., Stadnik, P., Gilbert, S., Duance, V. and Blain, E. 2016. Importance of reference gene selection for articular cartilage mechanobiology studies. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 24(4), pp. 719-730. (10.1016/j.joca.2015.11.007)
- Wyatt, H. L., Richards, R., Pullin, R., Yang, T. H. J., Blain, E. J. and Evans, S. 2016. Variation in electrosurgical vessel seal quality along the length of a porcine carotid artery. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine 230(3), pp. 169-174. (10.1177/0954411915621092)
2015
- Ali, A. Y. et al. 2015. Anti-metastatic and cytotoxic properties of frankincense and scented myrrh. Anticancer Research 35(7), pp. 4310-4311.
2014
- Li, S., Blain, E. J., Cao, J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2014. Effects of the mycotoxin nivalenol on bovine articular chondrocyte metabolism in vitro. PLoS ONE 9(10), article number: e109536. (10.1371/journal.pone.0109536)
- Gilbert, S. J., Meakin, L. B., Mason, D. J., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2014. The use of a non-invasive murine knee joint loading model to identify mechano-regulated genes in vivo. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 95(3), pp. A11-A12. (10.1111/iep.12078)
2012
- Blain, E. J., Thomas, R. S. and Duance, V. C. 2012. Effect of Wnt3A on load-induced markers of chondrocyte matrix metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 93(4), pp. A13-A14. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2012.00822.x)
- Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Al-Sabah, A., Zhang, Y., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2012. Protein kinase R plays a pivotal role in oncostatin M and interleukin-1 signalling in bovine articular cartilage chondrocytes. European Cells and Materials 23, pp. 41-57.
2011
- Khan, I. M., Evans, S. L., Young, R. D., Blain, E. J., Quantock, A. J., Avery, N. and Archer, C. W. 2011. Fibroblast growth factor 2 and transforming growth factor β1 induce precocious maturation of articular cartilage. Arthritis & Rheumatism 63(11), pp. 3417-3427. (10.1002/art.30543)
- Wyatt, H. L., Richards, R., Evans, S. L., Pullin, R., Blain, E. J. and Yang, T. 2011. Relationship of tissue composition on arterial tissue adhesion strength. Presented at: 24th European Conference on Biomaterials ESB2011, Dublin, Ireland, 4-9 September 2011.
- Dachtler, J., Hardingham, N. R., Glazewski, S., Wright, N. F., Blain, E. J. and Fox, K. D. 2011. Experience-dependent plasticity acts via GluR1 and a novel neuronal nitric oxide synthase-dependent synaptic mechanism in adult cortex. Journal of Neuroscience 31(31), pp. 11220-11230. (10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1590-11.2011)
- Li, S., Jia, X., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2011. The effects of cyclic tensile strain on the organisation and expression of cytoskeletal elements in bovine intervertebral disc cells: an in vitro study. European Cells and Materials 21, pp. 508-522.
- Blain, E. J. and Duance, V. C. 2011. Tissue injury and repair : meniscus. In: Hutson, M. and Speed, C. eds. Sports Injuries. Oxford: Oxford, pp. 45-53.
- Thomas, R. S., Clarke, A. R., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2011. Effects of Wnt3A and mechanical load on cartilage chondrocyte homeostasis. Arthritis Research and Therapy 13(6), article number: R203. (10.1186/ar3536)
2010
- Wann, A. K. T., Mistry, J., Blain, E. J., Michael-Titus, A. T. and Knight, M. M. 2010. Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid reduce interleukin-1β-mediated cartilage degradation. Arthritis Research & Therapy 12(6), article number: R207. (10.1186/ar3183)
- Blain, E. J., Ali, A. Y. and Duance, V. C. 2010. Boswellia frereana (frankincense) suppresses cytokine-induced matrix metalloproteinase expression and production of pro-inflammatory molecules in articular cartilage. Phytotherapy Research 24(6), pp. 905-912. (10.1002/ptr.3055)
2009
- Li, S., Jia, X., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2009. The effects of cyclic tensile strain on cytoskeleton in intervertebral disc cell: a preliminary study in vitro [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A120. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Harrison, R. J., Blain, E. J., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2009. Involvement of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of articular chondrocyte phenotype in 3D-culture [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A112-A113. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Blain, E. J., Hughes, N., Kozaci, L. D. and Sutton, C. 2009. Cartilage metabolism and cell based therapies for tissue regeneration [Conference Report]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A85-A93. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Blain, E. J. 2009. The role of the cytoskeleton in articular chondrocyte metabolism [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A45. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
- Blain, E. J. 2009. Involvement of the cytoskeletal elements in articular cartilage homeostasis and pathology. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. 1-15. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00625.x)
- Harrison, R. J., Blain, E. J., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2009. Comparison of gene expression of human chondrocytes in monolayer and 3D-culture [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A66. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
- Blain, E. J. 2009. BSMB young investigator award abstract the role of the cytoskeleton in articular chondrocyte metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A45-A45. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
2008
- Davies, L. C., Blain, E. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2008. Chondroitin sulphate impedes the migration of a sub-population of articular cartilage chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 16(8), pp. 855-864. (10.1016/j.joca.2007.12.005)
- Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2008. Sphingomyelinase decreases type II collagen expression in bovine articular chondrocytes via the ERK signalling pathway. Arthritis and Rheumatism 58(1), pp. 209-220. (10.1002/art.23172)
- Davies, L. C., Blain, E., Gilbert, S. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. 2008. The potential of IGF-1 and TGFβ1 for promoting “adult” articular cartilage repair: An in vitro study. Tissue Engineering Part A 14(7), pp. 1251-1261. (10.1089/ten.tea.2007.0211)
- Li, S., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2008. Zonal variations in cytoskeletal element organization, mRNA and protein expression in the intervertebral disc. Journal of Anatomy 213(6), pp. 725-732. (10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00998.x)
- Bazou, D., Blain, E. J. and Terence Coakley, W. 2008. NCAM and PSA-NCAM dependent membrane spreading and F-actin reorganization in suspended adhering neural cells. Molecular Membrane Biology 25(2), pp. 102-114. (10.1080/09687680701618365)
2007
- Blain, E. J., Li, S. and Duance, V. C. 2007. F-actin cytoskeletal organization in intervertebral disc health and disease. Biochemical Society Transactions 35(4), pp. 683-685. (10.1042/BST0350683)
- Blain, E. J. 2007. Mechanical regulation of matrix metalloproteinases. Frontiers in Bioscience 12(1), pp. 507-527. (10.2741/2078)
- Campbell, J. J., Blain, E. j., Chowdhury, T. T. and Knight, M. M. 2007. Loading alters actin dynamics and up-regulates cofilin gene expression in chondrocytes. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 361(2), pp. 329-334. (10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.06.185)
2006
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J., Hayes, A. J. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Disassembly of the vimentin cytoskeleton disrupts articular cartilage chondrocyte homeostasis.. Matrix biology 25(7), pp. 398-408. (10.1016/j.matbio.2006.06.002)
- Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Jones, P., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2006. Exogenous sphingomyelinase increases collagen and sulphated glycosaminoglycan production by primary articular chondrocytes: an in vitro study. Arthritis research & therapy 8(4), article number: R89. (10.1186/ar1961)
- Davies, L., Blain, E. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Comparing the responsiveness of chondrocytes isolated from young and mature articular cartilage to IGF-1 and TGFβ1. European Cells and Materials 12(Supp 1), pp. 54-54.
- Blain, E. J. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Maintenance of chondrocyte phenotype by the vimentin intermediate filaments [Abstract]. European Cells and Materials 12(S. 1), pp. 53.
2005
- Blain, E. J., Donaldson, E. and Cheung, F. 2005. British Society for Matrix Biology Spring 2005 meeting. University of Liverpool. Collagen-from genes to fibrils. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 86(6), pp. A57-A94. (10.1111/j.0959-9673.2005.00454.x)
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J. and Duance, V. C. 2005. An intact cytoskeleton is essential to maintain articular cartilage chondrocyte metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 86(3), pp. A10-A11. (10.1111/j.0959-9673.2005.00426.x)
2004
- Stephens, P. et al. 2004. Crosslinking and G-protein functions of transglutaminase 2 contribute differentially to fibroblast wound healing responses. Journal of cell science 117(15), pp. 3389-3403. (10.1242/jcs.01188)
2003
- Blain, E. J., Mason, D. J. and Duance, V. C. 2003. The effect of cyclical compressive loading on gene expression in articular cartilage. Biorheology 40(1-3), pp. 111-117.
2002
- Blain, E. J., Mason, D. J. and Duance, V. C. 2002. The effect of thymosin β4 on articular cartilage chondrocyte matrix metalloproteinase expression. Biochemical Society Transactions 30(6), pp. 879-882. (10.1042/BST0300879)
2001
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J., Wardale, R. J., Capper, S. J., Mason, D. J. and Duance, V. C. 2001. Up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression and activation following cyclical compressive loading of articular cartilage in vitro. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics 396(1), pp. 49-55. (10.1006/abbi.2001.2575)
Articles
- Gilbert, S. J. et al. 2024. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of articular cartilage of post-traumatic osteoarthritis mouse models. Disease Models & Mechanisms 17(10), article number: dmm050583. (10.1242/dmm.050583)
- Dintwa, L., Hughes, C. E. and Blain, E. J. 2023. Importance of mechanical cues in regulating musculoskeletal circadian clock rhythmicity: implications for articular cartilage. Physiological Reports 11(15), article number: e15780. (10.14814/phy2.15780)
- Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J. and Mason, D. J. 2022. Interferon-gamma modulates articular chondrocyte and osteoblast metabolism through protein kinase R-independent and dependent mechanisms. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports 32, article number: 101323. (10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101323)
- Markov, P., Zhu, H., Boote, C. and Blain, E. J. 2022. Delayed reorganisation of F-actin cytoskeleton and reversible chromatin condensation in scleral fibroblasts under simulated pathological strain. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports 32, article number: 101338.
- Gilbert, S. J., Bonnet, C. S. and Blain, E. J. 2021. Mechanical cues: bidirectional reciprocity in the extracellular matrix drives mechano-signalling in articular cartilage. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(24), article number: 13595. (10.3390/ijms222413595)
- Markov, P., Hayes, A. J., Zhu, H., Boote, C. and Blain, E. J. 2021. 3D immuno-confocal image reconstruction of fibroblast cytoskeleton and nucleus architecture. Journal of Biophotonics 14(1), article number: e202000202. (10.1002/jbio.202000202)
- Stadnik, P. S. et al. 2021. Regulation of microRNA‐221, ‐222, ‐21 and ‐27 in articular cartilage subjected to abnormal compressive forces. Journal of Physiology 599(1), pp. 143-155., article number: V. (10.1113/JP279810)
- Lawrence, E. A., Hammond, C. L. and Blain, E. J. 2020. Potential of zebrafish as a model to characterise MicroRNA profiles in mechanically mediated joint degeneration. Histochemistry and Cell Biology 154, pp. 521-531. (10.1007/s00418-020-01918-1)
- Bonnet, C. S., Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Williams, A. S. and Mason, D. J. 2020. AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor antagonists prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis. JCI Insight 5(13), article number: e134055. (10.1172/jci.insight.134055)
- Carter, J. and Blain, E. 2019. Effects of Superoxide Dismutase 1 on cartilage chondrocyte metabolism: a protective mechanism against ankle osteoarthritis?. The British Student Doctor Journal 3(3), pp. 35-37. (10.18573/bsdj.125)
- Pijanka, J. K. et al. 2019. Quantification of collagen fiber structure using second harmonic generation imaging and two‐dimensional discrete Fourier transform analysis: application to the human optic nerve head. Journal of Biophotonics 12(5), article number: e201800376. (10.1002/jbio.201800376)
- Al-Sabah, A., Burnell, S. E., Simoes, I. N., Jessop, Z., Badiei, N., Blain, E. and Whitaker, I. S. 2019. Structural and mechanical characterization of crosslinked and sterilised nanocellulose-based hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering. Carbohydrate Polymers 212, pp. 242-251. (10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.02.057)
- Gilbert, S. J., Bonnet, C. S., Stadnik, P., Duance, V. C., Mason, D. J. and Blain, E. J. 2018. Inflammatory and degenerative phases resulting from anterior cruciate rupture in a non-invasive murine model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 36(8), pp. 2118-2127. (10.1002/jor.23872)
- Wilkinson, D. J. et al. 2017. The serine proteinase hepsin is an activator of pro-matrix metalloproteinases: molecular mechanisms and implications for extracellular matrix turnover. Scientific Reports 7, article number: 16693. (10.1038/s41598-017-17028-3)
- Khatib, N., Metcalfe, A., Blain, E., Mason, D. and Holt, C. 2016. Developing an in vitro model of healthy and OA medial knee compartmental loading. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 24(Supp 1), pp. S344., article number: 564. (10.1016/j.joca.2016.01.617)
- Al-Sabah, A., Stadnik, P., Gilbert, S., Duance, V. and Blain, E. 2016. Importance of reference gene selection for articular cartilage mechanobiology studies. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 24(4), pp. 719-730. (10.1016/j.joca.2015.11.007)
- Wyatt, H. L., Richards, R., Pullin, R., Yang, T. H. J., Blain, E. J. and Evans, S. 2016. Variation in electrosurgical vessel seal quality along the length of a porcine carotid artery. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine 230(3), pp. 169-174. (10.1177/0954411915621092)
- Ali, A. Y. et al. 2015. Anti-metastatic and cytotoxic properties of frankincense and scented myrrh. Anticancer Research 35(7), pp. 4310-4311.
- Li, S., Blain, E. J., Cao, J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2014. Effects of the mycotoxin nivalenol on bovine articular chondrocyte metabolism in vitro. PLoS ONE 9(10), article number: e109536. (10.1371/journal.pone.0109536)
- Gilbert, S. J., Meakin, L. B., Mason, D. J., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2014. The use of a non-invasive murine knee joint loading model to identify mechano-regulated genes in vivo. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 95(3), pp. A11-A12. (10.1111/iep.12078)
- Blain, E. J., Thomas, R. S. and Duance, V. C. 2012. Effect of Wnt3A on load-induced markers of chondrocyte matrix metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 93(4), pp. A13-A14. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2012.00822.x)
- Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Al-Sabah, A., Zhang, Y., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2012. Protein kinase R plays a pivotal role in oncostatin M and interleukin-1 signalling in bovine articular cartilage chondrocytes. European Cells and Materials 23, pp. 41-57.
- Khan, I. M., Evans, S. L., Young, R. D., Blain, E. J., Quantock, A. J., Avery, N. and Archer, C. W. 2011. Fibroblast growth factor 2 and transforming growth factor β1 induce precocious maturation of articular cartilage. Arthritis & Rheumatism 63(11), pp. 3417-3427. (10.1002/art.30543)
- Dachtler, J., Hardingham, N. R., Glazewski, S., Wright, N. F., Blain, E. J. and Fox, K. D. 2011. Experience-dependent plasticity acts via GluR1 and a novel neuronal nitric oxide synthase-dependent synaptic mechanism in adult cortex. Journal of Neuroscience 31(31), pp. 11220-11230. (10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1590-11.2011)
- Li, S., Jia, X., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2011. The effects of cyclic tensile strain on the organisation and expression of cytoskeletal elements in bovine intervertebral disc cells: an in vitro study. European Cells and Materials 21, pp. 508-522.
- Thomas, R. S., Clarke, A. R., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2011. Effects of Wnt3A and mechanical load on cartilage chondrocyte homeostasis. Arthritis Research and Therapy 13(6), article number: R203. (10.1186/ar3536)
- Wann, A. K. T., Mistry, J., Blain, E. J., Michael-Titus, A. T. and Knight, M. M. 2010. Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid reduce interleukin-1β-mediated cartilage degradation. Arthritis Research & Therapy 12(6), article number: R207. (10.1186/ar3183)
- Blain, E. J., Ali, A. Y. and Duance, V. C. 2010. Boswellia frereana (frankincense) suppresses cytokine-induced matrix metalloproteinase expression and production of pro-inflammatory molecules in articular cartilage. Phytotherapy Research 24(6), pp. 905-912. (10.1002/ptr.3055)
- Li, S., Jia, X., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2009. The effects of cyclic tensile strain on cytoskeleton in intervertebral disc cell: a preliminary study in vitro [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A120. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Harrison, R. J., Blain, E. J., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2009. Involvement of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of articular chondrocyte phenotype in 3D-culture [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A112-A113. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Blain, E. J., Hughes, N., Kozaci, L. D. and Sutton, C. 2009. Cartilage metabolism and cell based therapies for tissue regeneration [Conference Report]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A85-A93. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00644.x)
- Blain, E. J. 2009. The role of the cytoskeleton in articular chondrocyte metabolism [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A45. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
- Blain, E. J. 2009. Involvement of the cytoskeletal elements in articular cartilage homeostasis and pathology. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. 1-15. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00625.x)
- Harrison, R. J., Blain, E. J., Wardale, R. J. and Duance, V. C. 2009. Comparison of gene expression of human chondrocytes in monolayer and 3D-culture [Abstract]. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A66. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
- Blain, E. J. 2009. BSMB young investigator award abstract the role of the cytoskeleton in articular chondrocyte metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(1), pp. A45-A45. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00612.x)
- Davies, L. C., Blain, E. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2008. Chondroitin sulphate impedes the migration of a sub-population of articular cartilage chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 16(8), pp. 855-864. (10.1016/j.joca.2007.12.005)
- Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2008. Sphingomyelinase decreases type II collagen expression in bovine articular chondrocytes via the ERK signalling pathway. Arthritis and Rheumatism 58(1), pp. 209-220. (10.1002/art.23172)
- Davies, L. C., Blain, E., Gilbert, S. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. 2008. The potential of IGF-1 and TGFβ1 for promoting “adult” articular cartilage repair: An in vitro study. Tissue Engineering Part A 14(7), pp. 1251-1261. (10.1089/ten.tea.2007.0211)
- Li, S., Duance, V. C. and Blain, E. J. 2008. Zonal variations in cytoskeletal element organization, mRNA and protein expression in the intervertebral disc. Journal of Anatomy 213(6), pp. 725-732. (10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00998.x)
- Bazou, D., Blain, E. J. and Terence Coakley, W. 2008. NCAM and PSA-NCAM dependent membrane spreading and F-actin reorganization in suspended adhering neural cells. Molecular Membrane Biology 25(2), pp. 102-114. (10.1080/09687680701618365)
- Blain, E. J., Li, S. and Duance, V. C. 2007. F-actin cytoskeletal organization in intervertebral disc health and disease. Biochemical Society Transactions 35(4), pp. 683-685. (10.1042/BST0350683)
- Blain, E. J. 2007. Mechanical regulation of matrix metalloproteinases. Frontiers in Bioscience 12(1), pp. 507-527. (10.2741/2078)
- Campbell, J. J., Blain, E. j., Chowdhury, T. T. and Knight, M. M. 2007. Loading alters actin dynamics and up-regulates cofilin gene expression in chondrocytes. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 361(2), pp. 329-334. (10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.06.185)
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J., Hayes, A. J. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Disassembly of the vimentin cytoskeleton disrupts articular cartilage chondrocyte homeostasis.. Matrix biology 25(7), pp. 398-408. (10.1016/j.matbio.2006.06.002)
- Gilbert, S. J., Blain, E. J., Jones, P., Duance, V. C. and Mason, D. J. 2006. Exogenous sphingomyelinase increases collagen and sulphated glycosaminoglycan production by primary articular chondrocytes: an in vitro study. Arthritis research & therapy 8(4), article number: R89. (10.1186/ar1961)
- Davies, L., Blain, E. J., Caterson, B. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Comparing the responsiveness of chondrocytes isolated from young and mature articular cartilage to IGF-1 and TGFβ1. European Cells and Materials 12(Supp 1), pp. 54-54.
- Blain, E. J. and Duance, V. C. 2006. Maintenance of chondrocyte phenotype by the vimentin intermediate filaments [Abstract]. European Cells and Materials 12(S. 1), pp. 53.
- Blain, E. J., Donaldson, E. and Cheung, F. 2005. British Society for Matrix Biology Spring 2005 meeting. University of Liverpool. Collagen-from genes to fibrils. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 86(6), pp. A57-A94. (10.1111/j.0959-9673.2005.00454.x)
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J. and Duance, V. C. 2005. An intact cytoskeleton is essential to maintain articular cartilage chondrocyte metabolism. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 86(3), pp. A10-A11. (10.1111/j.0959-9673.2005.00426.x)
- Stephens, P. et al. 2004. Crosslinking and G-protein functions of transglutaminase 2 contribute differentially to fibroblast wound healing responses. Journal of cell science 117(15), pp. 3389-3403. (10.1242/jcs.01188)
- Blain, E. J., Mason, D. J. and Duance, V. C. 2003. The effect of cyclical compressive loading on gene expression in articular cartilage. Biorheology 40(1-3), pp. 111-117.
- Blain, E. J., Mason, D. J. and Duance, V. C. 2002. The effect of thymosin β4 on articular cartilage chondrocyte matrix metalloproteinase expression. Biochemical Society Transactions 30(6), pp. 879-882. (10.1042/BST0300879)
- Blain, E. J., Gilbert, S. J., Wardale, R. J., Capper, S. J., Mason, D. J. and Duance, V. C. 2001. Up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression and activation following cyclical compressive loading of articular cartilage in vitro. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics 396(1), pp. 49-55. (10.1006/abbi.2001.2575)
Book sections
- Blain, E. and Duance, V. 2018. Meniscus. In: Hutson, M. and Speed, C. eds. Sports Injuries. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press, pp. 45-53.
- Gilbert, S. and Blain, E. 2018. Cartilage mechanobiology: how chondrocytes respond to mechanical load. In: Verbruggen, S. ed. Mechanobiology in Health and Disease. London UK: Elsevier, pp. 99-126.
- Blain, E. J. and Duance, V. C. 2011. Tissue injury and repair : meniscus. In: Hutson, M. and Speed, C. eds. Sports Injuries. Oxford: Oxford, pp. 45-53.
Conferences
- Markov, P., Boote, C., Zhu, H. and Blain, E. 2019. Building a cell-specific cytoskeletal finite element model of scleral fibroblasts. Presented at: 25th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB 2019), Vienna, Austria, 7-10 July 2019. pp. -.
- Markov, P., Boote, C., Zhu, H. and Blain, E. 2019. Effects of mechanical load on cytoskeletal protein arrangement in scleral fibroblasts. Presented at: The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 28 April -- 2 May 2019.
- Markov, P., Blain, E. and Zhu, H. 2018. Can particle accelerators help prevent blindness?. Presented at: The UCL SenSyT (Sensory Systems, Technologies and Therapies) Symposium 2018, UCL, London, 3 December 2018.
- Wyatt, H. L., Richards, R., Evans, S. L., Pullin, R., Blain, E. J. and Yang, T. 2011. Relationship of tissue composition on arterial tissue adhesion strength. Presented at: 24th European Conference on Biomaterials ESB2011, Dublin, Ireland, 4-9 September 2011.
Research
My research interests encompass the cellular and molecular events that are involved in the mechano-regulation of articular cartilage tissue homeostasis, the mechanism/s that propagate mechanically-mediated joint degeneration i.e. osteoarthritis and identification of therapeutic targets for intervention. More specifically, my research interests are:-
- Investigating mechano-regulation of microRNAs in articular cartilage.
- Investigating why ankle osteoarthritis only develops as a result of previous mechanical trauma.
- Elucidating the role of the chondrocyte cytoskeleton, particularly the vimentin intermediate filaments (Figure 2), in sensing mechanical load, and how these intracellular networks transduce mechanical signals into a biochemical response in articular cartilage.
- Delineating the role of the canonical and non-canonical WNT pathways in transducing mechanical signals in articular cartilage.
Current funding
- NC3Rs
- BBSRC
- MRC Impact Accelerator Award
- Versus Arthritis
- China Scholarship Council
- Botswana Government
Previous funding
MRC DPFS (in collaboration with Newcastle University), Arthritis Research UK, Dunhill Medical Trust, EPSRC DTP, Orthopaedic Research UK, Kuwait Embassy Studentship, BBSRC CASE Studentship (AstraZeneca), EPSRC Dorothy Hodgkin Studentship, AO UK, British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, SARTRE, Cardiff University Partnership Fund
Collaborators
External
Professor David Young (Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University)
Dr Chrissy Hammond (School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol)
Professor Emily Rayfield (School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol)
Professor Ilse Jonkers (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Internal
Professor Clare Hughes (School of Biosciences)
Professor Daniel Aeschlimann (School of Dentistry)
Dr Elaine Ferguson (School of Dentistry)
Dr Emyr Lloyd-Evans (School of Biosciences)
Dr Craig Boote (School of Optometry)
Current research group members
Dr Sophie Gilbert (Senior Research Associate)
Jingyi Feng (PhD student)
Lekau Dintwa (PhD student)
Arwel Poacher (WCAT Fellow - PhD student)
Teaching
Teaching profile
BI2233 – Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
BI3356 – Musculoskeletal System: Disease, Repair and Regenerative Medicine
BI3001 – Final Year Projects (laboratory and literature)
BIT001 – Cellular and Molecular Biology (MSc Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine)
Week-long Research Experience Lead for ‘In vitro model of inflammatory arthritis’ practical.
Biography
1998: BSc (1st Class Hons) Biochemistry with Medical Biochemistry (Cardiff)
2002: PhD (BBSRC CASE Award with Amersham Biosciences, Cardiff)
2016: Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning (FHEA)
2024: Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
Honours and awards
2018 Journal of Orthopaedic Research Basic Science Award
2008: British Society for Matrix Biology Young Investigator Award
Professional memberships
British Society for Matrix Biology
Biochemical Society
Physiological Society
Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair
Academic positions
2020 - present: Reader, Cardiff University
2016 - 2020: Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University
2014 – 2016: Lecturer, Cardiff University
2009 – 2014: Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics & Bioengineering Centre Academic Fellow
2007 – 2009: Senior Research Associate, Cardiff University
2002 – 2007: Research Associate, Cardiff University
Committees and reviewing
2024 - 2027 NC3Rs Project Grant Assessment Panel Member
2022 - present Versus Arthritis College of Experts
2023 NC3Rs Studentship Assessment Panel member
2022 NC3Rs Project Grant Assessment Panel member
2020 – 2022 NC3Rs Training Fellowship Assessment Panel member
I regularly review grants for the BBSRC, MRC, Dunhill Medical Trust and JGW Patterson Foundation. In addition, I review manuscripts for Arthritis & Rheumatism, Osteoarthritis & Cartilage and a number of other specialist journals in the field. I have acted as both internal and external examiner on a number of PhD, MD and MSc theses.
Supervisions
Current supervision
Engagement
2018 – 2022: STEM Ambassador
2017 – 2019: Member of Personal and Public Involvement and Engagement committee for the Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre
I regularly contribute to public engagement activities involving patients with musculoskeletal diseases and school children. Recent public engagement activities have included Festival of the Mind (Dementia awareness week), Knee Education clinic (Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedic Centre) and attendance at the Genetics and Genomics for the Third Generation, 3G Conference informing the public on the research being conducted within the Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Versus Arthritis and within my lab.
Contact Details
Blain@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29208 75171
Sir Martin Evans Building, Room C/4.08, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX
+44 29208 75171
Sir Martin Evans Building, Room C/4.08, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX
Research themes
Specialisms
- Osteoarthritis