Dr Claire Aukim-Hastie

Biography

During my original training as an Registered Adult Nurse I became interested in scientific research, specifically genetics as I had been reading Prof Steve Jones’ work as part of my dissertation. After graduation I undertook a BSc in Genetics at Queen Mary, University of London whilst working part-time at the Royal London Hospitals A&E department. During my degree my tutors felt I had an aptitude for research and encouraged me to apply for a PhD studentship. Following my degree I was recruited to a Research Nurse/ PhD studentship position at UCL. My PhD project focussed on the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer working in isogenic cell lines using proteomic and gene manipulation techniques. 

Whilst at UCL I also undertook teacher training and went on to teach undergraduate students for Prof. Steve Jones. On successful completion of my PhD I was offered a lectureship in biomedical science at the University of Portsmouth, where I remained for 5 years and developed their MSc Biomedicine programme. At Portsmouth I set up collaborations with the Portsmouth NHS Trust and University of Southampton to undertake several projects in oncology with a specific focus on prostate cancer. In August 2010, I joined the University of Surrey as a Lecturer in Applied Health Research in the Division of Health and Social Care.

Research Interests

Research interests include:

Prostate cancer, Tumour biology, Carcinogenisis, Turmorigenisis, Metastasis, Treatment, Late effects and survivorship

Research Collaborations

Funded projects

Proteomic and molecular characterisation of targets which correlate with prostate cancer progression in the UK population.

This project began in 2005 and is conducted in collaboration with the Translational Oncology Research Centre at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth. As a result of this association we are able to collect patient samples (serum and tissue) and we are in the process of creating a prostate bank of samples at this HTA approved site. Access to clinical samples and information has enabled us to complete a molecular and proteomic profile of indolent and aggressive prostate cancer and we are currently in the process of characterising several biomarker targets in serum and tissue. Once this process is complete we will be submitting several publications and possible patents resulting form this work. This project has been funded partly by a NHS spin-off company (Cantech) and grants from the Wessex Cancer Trust and Prostate Cancer Support Organisation.

Collaborators:
Professor Ian Cree, Translational Oncology Research Centre, Queen Alexandra Hospital. Portsmouth.
Mr Simon Holmes, Vanessa Basketter, Department of Urology, St Mary’s Hospital, Portsmouth.
Prof. Paul Townsend, Human Genetics Division, University of Southampton.
Mr Jamal Al-Ruwaili, PhD student.
Miss Bridget Bickers, PhD student.

Detection of aggressive prostate cancer in Guernsey; a proteomic approach.

The goal of this application is to use the proteomic approach to identify prostate cancer biomarkers which could be used to differentiate indolent from aggressive forms of prostate cancer and thus guide management. Specimens from Guernsey will primarily be used due to excellent patient longevity and follow up data. This should lead to a ‘signature’ of proteomic changes characteristic of aggressive forms of prostate cancer. This will then be compared to previous results from a similar study of Wessex samples and like ‘signature’ markers will then be validated using a further geographically distinct cohort and by alternative methods in samples from Guernsey, Wessex and our partners further afield. It is likely that most reliable “signatures” will comprise of changes in expression of multiple proteins and, therefore, the ability to profile thousands of proteins in a single sample is key to this study. This ability will be provided by cutting edge high throughput proteomic techniques. This study is funded by a 13th States of Guernsey Fellowship.

Collaborators:
Professor Paul Townsend, Professor in Molecular Cell Biology, Human Genetics Division, University of Southampton.
Dr Catherine Chinyama, Consultant Pathologist, Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Guernsey.
Mr Nigel Allen, Urology Consultant, Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Guernsey.
Dr Samantha ET Larkin, Human Genetics Division, University of Southampton.

Publications

Teaching

Advanced Research Methods - DClinPrac.
Cancer Pathophysiology - MSc Advanced Practice
Research for Practice - MSc Advanced Practice

Departmental Duties

ULearn Co-ordinator for the DClinPrac