Dr Helen Roberts
![Dr Helen Roberts](/download/17883662dc0e08edd3b846df2ba8107a7d2df6df15d9cdab88b5d6aa9732df9a/419265/webdisplay/w182/h200/PicBW.jpg)
Name | Dr Helen Roberts |
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Job title | DoP Natural Science/Assoc Prof in Skeletal Cancer Research |
Research institute | |
Primary appointment | Natural Sciences |
Email address | H.Roberts@mdx.ac.uk |
ORCID | https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1974-0319 |
Contact category | Researcher |
Biography
Biography Dr Helen Roberts (nee Owen) gained a PhD from the University of Glasgow whilst based at the Roslin Institute, where she investigated the molecular events surrounding steroid-induced skeletal growth retardation. Following this, Dr Roberts moved to the University of Sheffield where she investigated epigenetic biomarkers which were able to predict cancer progression. She has since coordinated research projects both at KU Leuven in Belgium, where she researched the role of epigenetics and autophagy in critical illness-induced bone loss, and at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry where she used genome-wide molecular profiling to identify epigenetic biomarkers associated with inflammation and immune suppression in critically ill patients. Dr Roberts is currently Associate Professor in Skeletal Cancer Research at Middlesex University, and coordinates a research track investigating the regulation of aberrant cellular behaviour and subsequent skeletal tissue morbidity. She has a particular interest in the role of epigenetics and autophagy in the regulation of osteosarcoma metastasis and chemoresistance.
Teaching Dr Roberts is Programme Leader for the Faculty of Science and Technology Foundation Programme, and Director of Programmes (Biosciences and Quality Enhancement) for the Department of Natural Sciences. Dr Roberts also contributes to the teaching of epigenetics, physiology, pharmacology, molecular biology and cell biology on undergraduate and postgraduate modules, and supervises a number of undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MSc, MRes and PhD) research projects. Current Research Students PhD: Daniela Paternina Martinez, Maria Pop MRes: Akashdeep Ganguly, Eriola Diku Past Research Students PhD: Kaan Low, Janice Pereira MRes: Gabriel Rosa, Dewa Zazai, Ivan Punev, Charlotte New, Aine Pears, Yathushigan Kulatheepan, Bipusha Tha Shrestha
Employment
Education and qualifications
Grants
Principal Investigator; In collaboration with Dr Scott Roberts, Royal Veterinary College, London
https://www.mdx.ac.uk/news/2021/03/Hannahs-Willberry-Wonder-Pony-Charity
Principal Intestigator; In collaboration with Prof. Richard Meeson, Royal Veterinary College, London
Principal Investigator; In collaboration with Dr Britta Stordal, Middlesex University
Prizes and Awards
External activities
The first ever pre-clinical collaboration aimed at understanding and developing treatments for osteosarcoma metastasis.
Research outputs
Identifying fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 as a mediator of periosteal osteochondral differentiation through the construction of microRNA-based interaction networks
Wells, L., Roberts, H., Luyten, F. and Roberts, S. 2023. Identifying fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 as a mediator of periosteal osteochondral differentiation through the construction of microRNA-based interaction networks. Biology. 12 (11). https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12111381A machine learning‑based image segmentation method to quantify in vitro osteoclast culture endpoints
Davies, B.K., Hibbert, A.P., Roberts, S.J., Roberts, H., Tickner, J.C., Holdsworth, G., Arnett, T.R. and Orriss, I.R. 2023. A machine learning‑based image segmentation method to quantify in vitro osteoclast culture endpoints. Calcified Tissue International and Musculoskeletal Research. 113 (4), p. 437–448.Establishment and characterization of single and triple‐agent resistant osteosarcoma cell lines
Low, K., Hills, F., Roberts, H. and Stordal, B. 2023. Establishment and characterization of single and triple‐agent resistant osteosarcoma cell lines. Advanced Biology. 7 (2). https://doi.org/10.1002/adbi.202200194The role of autophagy in canine osteosarcoma chemoresistance and metastasis
Kulatheepan, Y., Baines, S., Meeson, R. and Roberts, H. 2022. The role of autophagy in canine osteosarcoma chemoresistance and metastasis. 26th Annual Technological Advances in Science, Medicine and Engineering Conference 2022. VirtualMigratory bodies express markers of tumour initiating cells and may represent an early stage of osteosarcoma sarcosphere initiation and metastasis
Paternina Martinez, D., Roberts, S. and Roberts, H. 2022. Migratory bodies express markers of tumour initiating cells and may represent an early stage of osteosarcoma sarcosphere initiation and metastasis. Research Students' Summer Conference. Middlesex University, Lonon, UK 22 - 23 Jun 2022ATR inhibition increases sensitivity of a highly aggressive osteosarcoma cell line to cisplatin treatment
Pereira, J., Roberts, S. and Roberts, H. 2022. ATR inhibition increases sensitivity of a highly aggressive osteosarcoma cell line to cisplatin treatment. Research Students' Summer Conference. Middlesex University, Lonon, UK 22 - 23 Jun 2022Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)
Klionsky, D., Roberts, H. and et al. 2021. Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition). Autophagy. 17 (1), pp. 1-382. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2020.1797280CRISPR/Cas9-mediated ATG7 knockout results in enhanced osteosarcoma chemosensitivity
Pears, A. and Roberts, H. 2022. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated ATG7 knockout results in enhanced osteosarcoma chemosensitivity. Bone Research Society Annual Conference. Manchester Metropolitan Univeristy 06 - 08 Jul 2022ATR inhibition increases sensitivity of a highly aggressive osteosarcoma cell line to cisplatin treatment
Pereira, J., Roberts, S. and Roberts, H. 2022. ATR inhibition increases sensitivity of a highly aggressive osteosarcoma cell line to cisplatin treatment. Bone Research Society Annual Conference. Manchester Metropolitan Univeristy 06 - 08 Jul 2022Migratory bodies express markers of tumour initiating cells and may represent an early stage of osteosarcoma sarcosphere initiation and metastasis
Paternina Martinez, D., Roberts, S. and Roberts, H. 2022. Migratory bodies express markers of tumour initiating cells and may represent an early stage of osteosarcoma sarcosphere initiation and metastasis. Bone Research Society Annual Conference. Manchester Metropolitan Univeristy 06 - 08 Jul 2022Intentionality for inclusivity - the journey at Middlesex University
Roberts, H., Punev, I., Allardyce, D., Kyprianou, A., Appiah, S., Megeney, A., Calin, A., Gallacher, D. and Mill, R. 2022. Intentionality for inclusivity - the journey at Middlesex University. McGraw Hill.Decellularised cartilage ECM culture coatings drive rapid and robust chondrogenic differentiation of human periosteal cells
Vas, W., Shah, M., Roberts, H. and Roberts, S. 2022. Decellularised cartilage ECM culture coatings drive rapid and robust chondrogenic differentiation of human periosteal cells. Bioengineering. 9 (5). https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9050203Overcoming chemoresistance in osteosarcoma: the role of autophagy in cell death or survival following chemotherapy
Rosa, G., Burczynska, B., Stordal, B. and Roberts, H. 2018. Overcoming chemoresistance in osteosarcoma: the role of autophagy in cell death or survival following chemotherapy. Research Degrees Students' Summer Conference. Middlesex University, London, UK 04 Sep 2018The combination of curcumin and doxorubicin shows a selective cytotoxic effect on acute myeloid leukaemia cell line
Hasan, N., Roberts, H., Ghali, L. and Appiah, S. 2018. The combination of curcumin and doxorubicin shows a selective cytotoxic effect on acute myeloid leukaemia cell line. NCRI Cancer Conference (2018). Glasgow, Scotland 04 - 06 Nov 2018Mechanisms of apoptosis and autophagy in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells
Bennacer, A., Roberts, H. and Stordal, B. 2018. Mechanisms of apoptosis and autophagy in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells. Research Degrees Students' Summer Conference. Middlesex University, London, UK 04 Sep 2018Optimisation of a selection strategy for drug resistance osteosarcoma cell lines
Low, K., Hills, F., Roberts, H. and Stordal, B. 2018. Optimisation of a selection strategy for drug resistance osteosarcoma cell lines. Research Degrees Students' Summer Conference. Middlesex University, London, UK 04 Sep 2018Overcoming chemoresistance in osteosarcoma: the role of autophagy in cell death or survival following chemotherapy
Rosa, G., Burczynska, B., Stordal, B. and Roberts, H. 2018. Overcoming chemoresistance in osteosarcoma: the role of autophagy in cell death or survival following chemotherapy. 2018 NCRI Cancer Conference. Glasgow, Scotland 04 - 06 Nov 2018Optimisation of a selection strategy for drug resistance osteosarcoma cell lines
Low, K., Hills, F., Roberts, H. and Stordal, B. 2019. Optimisation of a selection strategy for drug resistance osteosarcoma cell lines. 2019 NCRI Cancer Conference. Glasgow, UK 03 - 05 Nov 2019Mapping human serum induced gene networks as a basis for the creation of biomimetic periosteum for bone repair
Al Hosni, R., Shah, M., Cheema, U., Roberts, H., Luyten, F. and Roberts, S. 2020. Mapping human serum induced gene networks as a basis for the creation of biomimetic periosteum for bone repair. Cytotherapy. 22 (8), pp. 424-435.MicroRNA profiles are associated with lymphocyte count after a major traumatic injury: a potential role for immunometabolism?
Jones, T., Torrance, H., Roberts, H., Brohi, K., Barnes, M., Knight, J., Hinds, C., Ackland, G. and O'Dwyer, M. 2018. MicroRNA profiles are associated with lymphocyte count after a major traumatic injury: a potential role for immunometabolism? British Journal of Anaesthesia Research Forum. Royal College of Anaesthetists, London 30 - 31 May 2018 Elsevier. pp. e23-e24 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2018.05.027Association between early postoperatively elevated TLR-4 & TLR-5 gene expression and late nosocomial infection in elective high-risk hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery
Pirmadjid, N., Torrance, H., Owen, H., Alazawi, W. and O'Dwyer, M. 2015. Association between early postoperatively elevated TLR-4 & TLR-5 gene expression and late nosocomial infection in elective high-risk hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery. 2015 International Surgical Congress of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. Manchester, UK 22 - 24 Apr 2015 Oxford University Press (OUP).Identification and functional involvement of lipocalin 2 in glucocorticoid-induced growth retardation
Owen, H., Ahmed, S. and Farquharson, C. 2007. Identification and functional involvement of lipocalin 2 in glucocorticoid-induced growth retardation. 29th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Honolulu, HI 16 - 19 Sep 2007 Wiley.The role of P21CIP1/WAF1 in glucocorticoid induced growth retardation
Owen, H., Ahmed, S. and Farquharson, C. 2007. The role of P21CIP1/WAF1 in glucocorticoid induced growth retardation. 2007 Annual Meeting of the Bone Research Society. Southampton, UK 03 - 05 Jul 2007 Wiley.Identification of lipocalin 2, a novel glucocorticoid responsive gene in growth plate chondrocytes
Owen, H., Ahmed, S. and Farquharson, C. 2007. Identification of lipocalin 2, a novel glucocorticoid responsive gene in growth plate chondrocytes. 2007 Annual Meeting of the Bone Research Society. Southampton, UK 03 - 05 Jul 2007 Wiley.Glucocorticoids stimulate p21 expression in growth plate chondrocytes
Owen, H., Ahmed, S. and Farquharson, C. 2006. Glucocorticoids stimulate p21 expression in growth plate chondrocytes. 2006 Annual Meeting of the Bone Research Society. Southampton, UK 05 - 06 Jul 2006 Wiley.Glucocorticoids induce lipocalin 2 gene expression in growth plate chondrocytes.
Owen, H., Ahmed, S. and Farquharson, C. 2006. Glucocorticoids induce lipocalin 2 gene expression in growth plate chondrocytes. 28th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Philadelphia, PA 15 - 19 Sep 2006 Wiley.The role of the 11 beta HSD shuttle in modulating the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on the growth plate
MacRae, V., Owen, H., Ahmed, S. and Farquharson, C. 2006. The role of the 11 beta HSD shuttle in modulating the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on the growth plate. 28th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Philadelphia, PA 15 - 19 Sep 2006 Wiley.Critical illness-induced bone loss is related to deficient autophagy and histone hypomethylation
Owen, H., Vanhees, I., Gunst, J., Van Cromphaut, S. and Van den Berghe, G. 2015. Critical illness-induced bone loss is related to deficient autophagy and histone hypomethylation. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental. 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40635-015-0052-3The perioperative immune response
O'Dwyer, M., Owen, H. and Torrance, H. 2015. The perioperative immune response. Current Opinion in Critical Care. 21 (4), pp. 336-342. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCC.0000000000000213Systemic inflammatory response syndrome after major abdominal surgery predicted by early upregulation of TLR4 and TLR5
Lahiri, R., Derwa, Y., Bashir, Z., Giles, E., Torrance, H., Owen, H., O'Dwyer, M., O'Brien, A., Stagg, A., Bhattacharya, S., Foster, G. and Alazawi, W. 2016. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome after major abdominal surgery predicted by early upregulation of TLR4 and TLR5. Annals of Surgery. 263 (5), pp. 1028-1037. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000001248Changes in gene expression following trauma are related to the age of transfused packed red blood cells
Torrance, H., Vivian, M., Brohi, K., Prowle, J., Pearse, R., Owen, H., Hinds, C. and O'Dwyer, M. 2015. Changes in gene expression following trauma are related to the age of transfused packed red blood cells. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 78 (3), pp. 535-542. https://doi.org/10.1097/TA.0000000000000534Perioperative blood transfusion is associated with a gene transcription profile characteristic of immunosuppression: a prospective cohort study
Fragkou, P., Torrance, H., Pearse, R., Ackland, G., Prowle, J., Owen, H., Hinds, C. and O'Dwyer, M. 2014. Perioperative blood transfusion is associated with a gene transcription profile characteristic of immunosuppression: a prospective cohort study. Critical Care. 18 (5). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-014-0541-xHumanized culture of periosteal progenitors in allogeneic serum enhances osteogenic differentiation and in vivo bone formation
Roberts, S., Owen, H., Tam, W., Solie, L., Van Cromphaut, S., Van den Berghe, G. and Luyten, F. 2014. Humanized culture of periosteal progenitors in allogeneic serum enhances osteogenic differentiation and in vivo bone formation. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. 3 (2), pp. 218-28. https://doi.org/10.5966/sctm.2012-0137Hypermethylation of CpG islands and shores around specific microRNAs and mirtrons is associated with the phenotype and presence of bladder cancer
Dudziec, E., Miah, S., Choudhry, H., Owen, H., Blizard, S., Glover, M., Hamdy, F. and Catto, J. 2011. Hypermethylation of CpG islands and shores around specific microRNAs and mirtrons is associated with the phenotype and presence of bladder cancer. Clinical Cancer Research. 17 (6), pp. 1287-1296. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-2017Low frequency of epigenetic events in urothelial tumors in young patients
Owen, H., Giedl, J., Wild, P., Fine, S., Humphrey, P., Dehner, L., Amin, M., Epstein, J., Blaszyk, H., Hughes, D., Hartmann, A., Stoehr, R. and Catto, J. 2010. Low frequency of epigenetic events in urothelial tumors in young patients. The Journal of Urology. 184 (2), pp. 459-463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2010.03.131Distinct microRNA alterations characterize high- and low-grade bladder cancer
Catto, J., Miah, S., Owen, H., Bryant, H., Myers, K., Dudziec, E., Larré, S., Milo, M., Rehman, I., Rosario, D., Di Martino, E., Knowles, M., Meuth, M., Harris, A. and Hamdy, F. 2009. Distinct microRNA alterations characterize high- and low-grade bladder cancer. Cancer Research. 69 (21), pp. 8472-8481. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-0744Chondrocyte p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression is increased by dexamethasone but does not contribute to dexamethasone-induced growth retardation in vivo
Owen, H., Ahmed, S. and Farquharson, C. 2009. Chondrocyte p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression is increased by dexamethasone but does not contribute to dexamethasone-induced growth retardation in vivo. Calcified Tissue International and Musculoskeletal Research. 85 (4), pp. 326-334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-009-9276-0Identification of a novel splice variant of the haloacid dehalogenase: PHOSPHO1
Roberts, S., Owen, H. and Farquharson, C. 2008. Identification of a novel splice variant of the haloacid dehalogenase: PHOSPHO1. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 371 (4), pp. 872-876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.04.163Dexamethasone-induced expression of the glucocorticoid response gene lipocalin 2 in chondrocytes
Owen, H., Roberts, S., Ahmed, S. and Farquharson, C. 2008. Dexamethasone-induced expression of the glucocorticoid response gene lipocalin 2 in chondrocytes. American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. 294 (6), pp. E1023-E1034. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00586.2007The role of micrornas in the development of hospital acquired infection in polytrauma patients
Owen, H., Torrance, H., Barnes, M., Brohi, K., Knight, J., Hinds, C. and O'Dwyer, M. 2015. The role of micrornas in the development of hospital acquired infection in polytrauma patients. ESICM LIVES 2015: 28th Annual Congress of European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Berlin, Germany 03 - 07 Oct 2015 Springer Open. https://doi.org/10.1186/2197-425X-3-S1-A35Post-operative immune suppression is reversible with interferon gamma and independent of IL-6 pathways
Longbottom, E., Torrance, H., Owen, H., Hinds, C., Pearse, R. and O'Dwyer, M. 2015. Post-operative immune suppression is reversible with interferon gamma and independent of IL-6 pathways. ESICM LIVES 2015: 28th Annual Congress of European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Berlin, Germany 03 - 07 Oct 2015 Springer Open. https://doi.org/10.1186/2197-425X-3-S1-A820T-helper cell polarisation following severe polytrauma
Torrance, H., Brohi, K., Warnes, G., Owen, H., Hinds, C., Pennington, D. and O'Dwyer, M. 2015. T-helper cell polarisation following severe polytrauma. ESICM LIVES 2015: 28th Annual Congress of European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Berlin, Germany 03 - 07 Oct 2015 Springer Open. https://doi.org/10.1186/2197-425X-3-S1-A848Phytochemical modulation of apoptosis and autophagy: strategies to overcome chemoresistance in leukaemic stem cells in the bone marrow microenvironment
Owen, H., Appiah, S., Hasan, N., Ghali, L., Elayat, G. and Bell, C. 2017. Phytochemical modulation of apoptosis and autophagy: strategies to overcome chemoresistance in leukaemic stem cells in the bone marrow microenvironment. in: Zeng, B. and Zhao, K. (ed.) Neurobiology of Chinese Herb Medicine Elsevier.Biomimetic strategies for fracture repair: engineering the cell microenvironment for directed tissue formation
Vas, W., Shah, M., Al Hosni, R., Owen, H. and Roberts, S. 2017. Biomimetic strategies for fracture repair: engineering the cell microenvironment for directed tissue formation. Journal of Tissue Engineering. 8, pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/2041731417704791Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interferon gamma act through different mechanisms in reversing post-operative immune suppression
Longbottom, E., Torrance, H., Owen, H., Hinds, C., Pearse, R. and O'Dywer, M. 2016. Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interferon gamma act through different mechanisms in reversing post-operative immune suppression. ESICM LIVES 2016: 29th Annual Congress of European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Milan, Italy 01 - 05 Oct 2016 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40635-016-0098-xFeatures of postoperative immune suppression are reversible with interferon gamma and independent of interleukin-6 pathways
Longbottom, E., Torrance, H., Owen, H., Fragkou, P., Hinds, C., Pearse, R. and O'Dwyer, M. 2016. Features of postoperative immune suppression are reversible with interferon gamma and independent of interleukin-6 pathways. Annals of Surgery. 264 (2), pp. 370-377. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000001484Epigenetic regulatory pathways involving microRNAs may modulate the host immune response following major trauma
Owen, H., Torrance, H., Jones, T., Pearse, R., Hinds, C., Brohi, K. and O'Dwyer, M. 2015. Epigenetic regulatory pathways involving microRNAs may modulate the host immune response following major trauma. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 79 (5), pp. 766-772. https://doi.org/10.1097/TA.0000000000000850Enhanced immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling is related to pathological bone resorption during critical illness
Vanhees, I., Gunst, J., Janssens, T., Wauters, A., Van Herck, E., Van Cromphaut, S., Van den Berghe, G. and Owen, H. 2013. Enhanced immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling is related to pathological bone resorption during critical illness. Hormone and Metabolic Research. 45 (12), pp. 862-9. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1351290Critical illness-related bone loss is associated with osteoclastic and angiogenic abnormalities
Owen, H., Vanhees, I., Solie, L., Roberts, S., Wauters, A., Luyten, F., Van Cromphaut, S. and Van den Berghe, G. 2012. Critical illness-related bone loss is associated with osteoclastic and angiogenic abnormalities. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 27 (7), pp. 1541-1552. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.1612Low frequency of epigenetic events in urothelial tumours from young patients
Catto, J., Owen, H., Giedl, J., Wild, P., Fine, S., Epstein, J., Humphrey, P., Dehner, L., Amin, M., Blaszyk, H., Hughes, D., Hartmann, A. and Stoehr, R. 2010. Low frequency of epigenetic events in urothelial tumours from young patients. European Urology Supplements. 9 (2), pp. 260-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1569-9056(10)60798-1The growth plate sparing effects of the selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator, AL-438
Owen, H., Miner, J., Ahmed, S. and Farquharson, C. 2007. The growth plate sparing effects of the selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator, AL-438. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 264 (1-2), pp. 164-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2006.11.0062311
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