![Emyr Lloyd-Evans](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1106?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Professor Emyr Lloyd-Evans
Postgraduate Divisional Tutor
School of Biosciences
- Welsh speaking
Overview
Research overview
Lysosomes are a subset of organelles that are crucial for cellular function, as epitomised by the 50 human diseases that are caused by mutations in the genes encoding lysosomal and associated proteins. My laboratory is interested in the function of novel uncharacterised lysosomal transmembrane proteins, their roles in normal cellular function and the events that unfold when these proteins become dysfunctional in lysosomal diseases. We are particularly interested in applying our research on lysosomal proteins to other human diseases, particularly infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. Lysosomal research is an emerging area owing to the development of new tools capable of measuring lysosomal function at the acidic pH found within these compartments. My lab utilises these tools to investigate the function of this enigmatic class of organelles.
Research
Our current interests
- Mechanisms regulating lysosomal calcium ion (Ca2+) and zinc ion (Zn2+) homeostasis in health and disease
- Use of superparamagnetic ferrofluid to purify lysosomes
- Function of the NPC1 protein as a lysosomal RND multi-substrate permease and it's role in tuberculosis
- Sterol precursor inhibition of the NPC1 protein as a therapeutic target for the sterol biosynthetic disease Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome
- Role of lysosomal dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease
- Mechanisms of pathogenesis and therapy development for soluble lysosomal protein diseases (MPS type II, NPC2, Tay-Sachs)
Group members
- Mr Luke Haslett (Research Associate)
- Charlie De Haviland (PTY student)
- Miss Emily Kirkham (Research Assistant & PhD student)
- Louisa Smither (PTY student)
- Dr Helen Waller-Evans (Research Associate)
- Mr Abdullah Alshehri (PhD student)
- Mr Rafael Andres Badell Grau (PhD student)
- Miss Ana Carreira (joint PhD student with Dr. Liana Silva, Faculda Farmacia, University of Lisbon)
- Miss Emily Clark (PhD student)
- Miss Emily Maguire (PhD student)
- Miss Katie Shipley (PhD student)
- Mr Jordan Copner (undergraduate placement student)
Biography
My first degree was an undergraduate masters in Biochemistry (M.Biochem) at the University of Bath. During this degree I spent 11 months (2 successive placements) in the lab of Prof. Tony Futerman at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. It was here that I gained an interest in lysosomal storage diseases, researching the role of altered endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ homeostasis in Gaucher disease. Following my degree in 2002 I moved to Oxford to do my DPhil with Prof. Fran Platt at the Glycobiology Institute. Here I researched the role of the simple sphingolipid sphingosine in the pathogenesis of Niemann-Pick type C1. Upon completion of my DPhil In 2005, I moved with Fran to the Department of Pharmacology (Oxford) where, in collaboration with Prof. Antony Galione, we developed techniques to study lysosomal Ca2+ homeostasis in the lysosomal diseases. In 2010 I was appointed as an RCUK Fellow at the School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, to continue my research into lysosomal function.
Contact Details
+44 29208 74304
Sir Martin Evans Building, Room Cardiff School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX
