Advancing precision medicine
This Research Group brings together a diverse, interdisciplinary team focused on transforming how diseases are understood and treated at the cellular and molecular level. Our research spans genomic and mitochondrial biology, protein and receptor function, intracellular molecular pathways, cell-cell interactions, and advanced drug discovery approaches, united by a common goal: to develop targeted therapies tailored to individual molecular profiles.
At the heart of the group is a commitment to innovation in live-cell and high-throughput screening technologies. Leveraging recently established capabilities, including advanced optical detection platforms, we are developing physiologically relevant assays to study drug– target interactions in real time. These approaches enable more predictive and translational models of human disease, supporting research across infection, cancer, neuroscience, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
Our work is aligned with the growing global emphasis on precision medicine, an area of significant investment and opportunity. By integrating cutting-edge tools such as high-throughput screening, molecular profiling, and data-driven approaches, we aim to accelerate the discovery of safer, more effective therapeutics.
Beyond research, the group fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, supporting early-career researchers and embedding research-led teaching. Together, we are building a vibrant community that bridges fundamental science and real-world clinical impact.
Members of staff
Dr David Rusling
Dr Robbie Baldock
Dr Roger Draheim
Dr Jeremy Mills
Dr Sassan Hafizi
Dr Anthony Lewis
Professor Jerome Swinny
Dr Murphy Wan
Dr Roger Draheim
Dr Gavin Fullstone
Dr Despoina Aslanoglou
Media ready expert
Dr Francisco Rios
Key publications
Brazzill M, Ma R, Munn K, Prestifilippo L, Pickford AR, Chen J, Hoshika S, Benner SA and Rusling DA.
2026; 17: 7477.
Rasekh M and Hafizi S. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026; 27: 5930.
Engaging Gut-to-Brain Signalling to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder
Hoffman PL, de Guglielmo G, Vengeliene V et al. Addict. Biol. 2026; 31: e70144.
Kumar S, Han N, Tsagkogeorga G and Wan MLY. Discov. Oncol. 2026; 17: 681.
NanoDel: identification of large-scale mitochondrial DNA deletions using long-read sequencing.
Fearn C, Oliva C, Griguer C, Poulton J, Fratter C, McGeehan JE, Baldock RA, Robson SC and McGeehan RE. Bioinformatics. 2026; in press.
Shamim N, Doughty K, Chau HT, Brown J, Baldock RA and Au NPB. Clin. Transl. Sci. 2026; 19: e70541.
From bugs to brain: unravelling the GABA signalling networks in the brain–gut–microbiome axis
Belelli D, Lambert JJ, Wan MLY, Monteiro AR, Nutt DJ and Swinny JD. 2025; 148: 1479–1506.
Functionalizing DNA origami by triplex-directed site-specific photo-cross-linking
Kalra S, Donnelly A, Singh N, Matthews D, del Villar-Guerra R, Bemmer V, Dominguez C, Allcock N, Cherny D, Revyakin A and Rusling DA. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024; 146: 13617–13628.
Modification of Gas6 protein in the brain by a functional endogenous tissue vitamin K cycle
Aydin N, Ouliass B, Ferland G and Hafizi S. Cells. 2024; 13: 873.
Elderdery AY, Idris HME, Alruwaili SNL, Tebien EM, Alsrhani A, Alenazy FO, Alzahrani B, Manni E, Elkhalifa AME and Mills J. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024; 25: 13493.
Dual pancreatic adrenergic and dopaminergic signaling as a therapeutic target of bromocriptine
Aslanoglou D, Bertera S, Friggeri L et al. iScience. 2022; 25: 104771.
Papanikolaou M, Butt AM and Lewis A. 2020; 225: 925–934.
Shamim N, Doughty K, Chau HT, Brown J, Baldock RA and Au NPB. Clin. Transl. Sci. 2026; 19: e70541.
TRPM7 deficiency exacerbates cardiovascular and renal damage induced by aldosterone-salt
Rios FJ, Zou ZG, Harvey AP, Harvey KY, Camargo LL, Neves KB, Nichol SEF, Alves-Lopes R, Cheah A, Zahraa M, Ryazanov AG, Ryazanova L, Gudermann T, Chubanov V, Montezano AC, Touyz RM. 2022
Jul 26;5(1):746.
Kuhn, P., Petralla, S., Dabbagh, F., Pegoretti, V., Muranyi, W., Ishikawa, H., Fullstone, G. 2025 17(1).
Co VA, El-Nezami H, Liu Y, Twum B, Dey P, Cox PA, Joseph S, Agbodjan-Dossou R, Sabzichi M, Draheim R, Wan ML. ACS pharmacology & translational science. 2024; 7(3):863-77.
Related research areas
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Healthcare Outcomes and Clinical Practice Research Focus Group
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