Dr Anne-Gaelle Borycki

School of Biosciences

Senior Lecturer

a.g.borycki@sheffield.ac.uk

Full contact details

Dr Anne-Gaelle Borycki
School of Biosciences
D19
Firth Court
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile
  • 2011-present: Senior Lecturer, School of Biosciences
  • 2000-2010: Lecturer, Department of Biomedical Science
  • 1994-2000: Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in Philadelphia - USA (Advisor: Prof: Charles P. Emerson, Jr)
  • 1992-1994: Post-doctoral Fellow at Gustave Roussy Institute for Cancer Research in Villejuif - France (Advisor: Dr. Serge A. Leibovitch)
  • 1992: Ph.D in Molecular Biology from University of Science, Paris - France (Supervisor: Dr. Serge A. Leibovitch)
  • 1987: M.Sc in Biochemistry from University of Science, Paris - France
  • 1986: B.Sc. in Biochemistry from University of Science, Paris - France
Research interests

The Borycki lab uses primarily mouse genetics to study how the extra-cellular matrix, Sonic hedgehog signaling and cellular structures such as the primary cilum contribute to the regulation of satellite cell activity and to skeletal muscle regeneration.

Satellite cell biology and skeletal muscle regeneration

Satellite cells are skeletal muscle-specific stem cells that reside in a sub-laminal position at the periphery of myofibres. Satellite cells are normally quiescent, but become activated and expand rapidly to produce new muscle progenitor cells that differentiate and fuse to damaged fibres to repair diseased or injured muscles. Therefore, satellite cells hold the promise to be harnessed for the treatment of muscular dystrophies or age-related sarcopenia. However, the use of satellite cells for therapeutic purpose requires prior knowledge of their biology.

Research in our lab focuses on several aspects of satellite cell biology: 

  • The satellite cell niche, and in particular the role played by the extra-cellular matrix and its receptors in the control of adult myogenesis. We have recently demonstrated a remodelling of the extra-cellular matrix at the satellite cell niche during muscle regeneration. Current research aims at translating these findings to develop better in vitro conditions for the expansion of satellite cells.
  • The signalling events that regulate satellite cell behaviour; We have uncovered a role for Sonic hedgehog signalling in the control of satellite cell progression through the cell cycle during muscle regeneration. Future work will focus on the implications of these findings in muscle tumours.
  • The requirement for primary cilia for cell signalling and for mechanotransduction in injured muscles.

To investigate these issues, we use a combination of ex-vivo and in-vivo approaches in the mouse, as well as mouse genetic tools such as conditional knockout, transgenic reporter, and gain-of-function mutant lines.

Our current external collaborations include:

Peter Zammit (UCL), Jennifer Morgan (UCL), Paolo de Coppi (UCL), James Briscoe (Crick Institute), Olivier Lefebvre (Strasbourg).

Publications

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Journal articles

All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

Preprints

Grants
  • Funding
  • Wellcome Trust
  • BBSRC
  • MRC
  • European Union
  • AFM (Association Francaise contre les Myopathies)
Teaching activities

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught modules

Undergraduate:

  • BMS109-108 Physiology with Pharmacology
  • BMS110 Research Topics in Biomedicine
  • BMS242/243 Principles of Developmental Biology (Co-ordinator)
  • Level 3 Practical and Dissertation Modules

Postgraduate:

  • BMS6053 Critical Analysis of Current Science (Co-ordinator)
  • Level 4 Tutor
Professional activities and memberships
  • Member of the EU-funded Network of Excellence "Cells into Organs" 
  • Member and Research Program coordinator of the EU-funded Network of Excellence "MYORES"
  • Panel member since 2007, Muscle Biology Committee, AFM (Association Francaise contre les Myopathies)
PhD Studentship Opportunities

We advertise PhD opportunities (Funded or Self-Funded) on FindAPhD.com

For further information and details of other projects on offer, please see the department PhD Opportunities page: