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Find a PhD Supervisor

Dr Derek Brazil

School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
Derek Brazil MDBS

Dr Derek Brazil

School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences

Dr Brazil works in a molecular cell biology focused on the role of proteins such as Gremlin1, a secreted antagonist of BMP signaling, in kidney fibrosis and damage. He has been instrumental in the development of multiple unique in vitro and in vivo models to interrogate the biology of Grem1 in kidney disease, including most recently, 3D human iPS cell-derived kidney organoids. His recent data has extended to characterizing the role of Grem1 in colon cancer, and developing novel drug-discovery strategies to inhibit the action of Grem1 in human disease.

Contact info

  • View Academic Profile
  • askmhls@qub.ac.uk
  • +44 (0)28 9097 6469
  • @shemandshaun

Research Interests

Open to PhD applications in the field of

  • Signal transduction and molecular cell biology
  • Drug discovery targeting Gremlin1
  • Human iPSC-derived 3D kidney organoids
  • Gremlin1 signalling in human disease

Make a PhD enquiry


Current Research Opportunities

  • Mechanisms and models of Gremlin1 signalling in cancer and tissue fibrosis
  • Development of novel small molecule inhibitors of Gremlin1, a pathogenic driver of diabetic kidney disease

Public outreach & key achievements

  • Queen's University Belfast Teaching Award 2020 (Student-nominated category) 
  • Organiser “Know Your Enemy: Disease-Focused Research at Queen’s”
  • NI Science Festival outreach event
  • Presentation at Diabetes UK Public Awareness seminars and workshops
  • Visits to schools and other locations to promote careers in science and medicine

Research students

PhD Title Role of Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling (SOCS) proteins in the mechanisms of Mesenchymal Stem Cell therapeutic effect in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Country China
   
PhD Title  Defining the signalling mechanisms of Gremlin1 in tissue fibrosis and cancer
Country  China
   
PhD Title  Development of novel models of kidney damage using induced human pluripotent stem cells
Country  UK

 


Alumni: Where are they now

PhD Title Mechanisms and Models of Insulin Receptor Substrate-2 signalling in the kidney
Country Ireland
Current Position  Postdoctoral Fellow, Queen's University Belfast
   
PhD Title  Elucidating the mechanisms of Gremlin1-mediated Bone Morphogenetic Protein antagonism and acute kidney injury in vivo
Country  Northern Ireland, UK
Current Position  Scientist, Almac Pharmaceuticals, Craigavon, Northern Ireland
   
PhD Title The Therapeutic Potential of Erythropoietin for ischaemic retinopathies
Country Ireland
Current Position  Postdoctoral Fellow, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Basel, Switzerland

 

 


Discover More

  • Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
  • School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
  • Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine
  • Institute for Health Sciences
  • Brazil Lab

Postgraduate research
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