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Dr Paul Meakin

Dr Paul Meakin

Profile

I completed my degree at the University of Nottingham, in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry (MSci) in 2004. In 2005 I moved to the University of Dundee to undertake a PhD with Professor Mike Ashford, on the role of the ß-secretase enzyme, in whole animal energy homeostasis. Between 2009 and 2018 I worked in Professor Ashford’s lab researching the hormonal balance of energy homeostasis, type 2 diabetes and obesity. I was awarded a BHF Intermediate Basic Science Research Fellowship and joined the University of Leeds as a senior research fellow in 2018. I was co-lead of the Physiology Society’s Metabolic Physiology Theme (2019-2022) and a member of the British Microcircualtion Society Ordinary Committee (2019-2022).

Research interests

Cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of mortality and morbidity for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is also significantly increased. The aim of my lab is to understand why and how these diseases are linked, in order to find new ways to prevent their long-term harmful consequences. Of particular interest is the ß-secretase enzyme, BACE1. We are aiming to determine the physiological and pathological functions of BACE1 and establish it as an attractive therapeutic target for Type 2 diabetes and its co-morbidities. 

Qualifications

  • MSci Biochemistry and Biological chemistry
  • PhD

Professional memberships

  • Diabetes UK
  • British Society for Cardiovascular Research
  • British Microcirculation Society
  • The Physiology Society
  • The Endocrinology Society
  • The Biochemistry Society
  • The British Atherosclerosis Society

Research groups and institutes

  • Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine
  • Discovery and Translational Science
  • Cardiometabolic
  • British Heart Foundation - Cardiovascular research
  • Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre
<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>
Projects
    <li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/1351-licamm-ion-channel-regulation-in-cardiovascular-disease">LICAMM Ion channel regulation in cardiovascular disease</a></li> <li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/519-licamm-repurposing-bace1-inhibitors-for-cardiovascular-disease">LICAMM Repurposing BACE1 inhibitors for cardiovascular disease</a></li> <li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/1483-limr-cancer:-repurposing-drugs-as-new-treatments-for-breast-cancer">LIMR Cancer: Repurposing drugs as new treatments for breast cancer</a></li>