Dr Aymen I Idris
MSc, PhD
Department of Oncology and Metabolism
Senior Lecturer
aymen.idris@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9051
+44 114 215 9051
+44 114 271 2475
(fax)
Room DU38, The Medical School
Full contact details
Dr Aymen I Idris
Department of Oncology and Metabolism
Room DU38
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
Department of Oncology and Metabolism
Room DU38
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
- Profile
-
For enquiries, please contact - iicd-om-operational@sheffield.ac.uk
I am pharmacologist by training, and basic science researcher interested in the design, preclinical testing and commercialisation of novel, inexpensive anti-inflammatory drugs.
My interest in the field of inflammation began in 2000 at the laboratory of Professor S. H. Ralston at the University of Aberdeen and University of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK), where I obtained a Ph.D. in Medicine, and underwent my early postdoctoral training. During this period, I carried out significant research examining the therapeutic (and harmful) effects of plant-derived and synthetic anti-inflammatory substances, which culminated in first- and last-author publications in a number of prestigious scientific journals including Nature Medicine, Cell Metabolism and Ageing Cell, and the foundation of OsteoRX Ltd. - a start-up company established to develop novel anti-rheumatic drugs. As principal investigator, at the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre (Scotland, UK, 2010-14) and University of Sheffield (England, UK, 2014 - present), my pharmacological research led to the design and preclinical testing of a novel class of small-molecule inhibitors of NFκB and the foundation of arthElix Ltd.
Outside the laboratory, my academic and research interests varied. These are some of the ongoing projects.
I am a data science enthusiast. In 2021, I founded the Africa in Science (AiS) think-tank that monitors the scientific output of Africa-based institutes, with the aim to uncover under-researched and neglected topics in Africa.
I am an avid supporter of issues and needs of early-career researchers. In 2019, I founded and served as Editor-in-Chief of HubLE.org, the IFMRS Learning and Sharing Environment.
I have been especially interested in positive ethnic discrimination in science, as a result of personal experience.
Current PhD Opportunities
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Validation of TRAF6/PD-L1 inhibition in pre-clinical models of multiple myeloma: implications for combinational immunotherapy
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Combined targeting of PD-L1 and TRAF6 pathways: Implications for Cancer Treatment
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Differential effects of Cannabidiol: Mechanism(s) of Action and Implications in Cancer
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Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and osteoprotective effects of a novel TRAF6 inhibitor in models of local and systemic osteolysis
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- Research interests
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The primary interest of my group is pharmacology of inflammation. The specific aims of our research are to:
- uncover novel druggable pro-inflammatory transduction pathways essential for the regulation of cancer – immune - bone cell interactions, and guided by these studies
- design and test novel therapeutic agents - alone or in combination with drugs in clinical practice - for the treatment of chronic inflammation associated with bone diseases and cancer.
Current Projects
- Targeting of IKK-Epsilon alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.
- Regulation of adipocyte – cancer cell crosstalk by NFkB signalling.
- Role of TRAFs/NFkB signalling in inflammation associated with metastatic cancer.
- Role of RANK/NFkB signalling in cancer cell behaviour in bone.
- Regulation of bone – immune – malignant cell interactions by the Endocannabinoid/NFkB axis.
- Publications
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Books
- Bone Research Protocols. Humana Press.
Journal articles
- Anti-inflammatory, but not osteoprotective, effect of the TRAF6/CD40 inhibitor 6877002 in rodent models of local and systemic osteolysis. Biochemical Pharmacology, 195, 114869-114869.
- Association of cannabinoid receptor modulation with normal and abnormal skeletal remodelling: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro, in vivo and human studies. Pharmacological Research, 175, 105928-105928.
- Combined administration of a small-molecule inhibitor of TRAF6 and Docetaxel reduces breast cancer skeletal metastasis and osteolysis. Cancer Letters, 488, 27-39.
- JZL184, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, induces bone loss in a multiple myeloma model of immunocompetent mice. Calcified Tissue International, 107(1), 72-85. View this article in WRRO
- Paradoxical effects of JZL184, an inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase, on bone remodelling in healthy and cancer-bearing mice. EBioMedicine, 44, 452-466. View this article in WRRO
- Pharmacological inhibition of the IKKε/TBK-1 axis potentiates the anti-tumour and anti-metastatic effects of Docetaxel in mouse models of breast cancer. Cancer Letters, 450, 76-87. View this article in WRRO
- Raman spectroscopy as a predictive tool for monitoring osteoporosis therapy in a rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 30(2).
- Combined deficiency of the Cnr1 and Cnr2 receptors protects against age‐related bone loss by osteoclast inhibition. Aging Cell, 16(5), 1051-1061. View this article in WRRO
- Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Protects against Age- Related Osteoporosis by Regulating Osteoblast and Adipocyte Differentiation in Marrow Stromal Cells. Cell Metabolism, 10(2), 139-147.
- Regulation of bone mass, bone loss and osteoclast activity by cannabinoid receptors. Nature Medicine, 11(7), 774-779.
Chapters
- Role of NFκB in Bone Remodeling in Health and Cancer, Encyclopedia of Bone Biology (pp. 294-304). Elsevier
- Ovariectomy/Orchiectomy in Rodents, Methods in Molecular Biology (pp. 261-267). Springer New York
- Analysis of Signaling Pathways by Western Blotting and Immunoprecipitation, Methods in Molecular Biology (pp. 131-143). Springer New York
All publications
Books
- Bone Research Protocols. Humana Press.
- Preface.
Journal articles
- Anti-inflammatory, but not osteoprotective, effect of the TRAF6/CD40 inhibitor 6877002 in rodent models of local and systemic osteolysis. Biochemical Pharmacology, 195, 114869-114869.
- Association of cannabinoid receptor modulation with normal and abnormal skeletal remodelling: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro, in vivo and human studies. Pharmacological Research, 175, 105928-105928.
- Combined administration of a small-molecule inhibitor of TRAF6 and Docetaxel reduces breast cancer skeletal metastasis and osteolysis. Cancer Letters, 488, 27-39.
- JZL184, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, induces bone loss in a multiple myeloma model of immunocompetent mice. Calcified Tissue International, 107(1), 72-85. View this article in WRRO
- Pharmacological Inhibition of NFκB Reduces Prostate Cancer Related Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro and Osteolysis Ex Vivo. Calcified Tissue International, 105(2), 193-204. View this article in WRRO
- Paradoxical effects of JZL184, an inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase, on bone remodelling in healthy and cancer-bearing mice. EBioMedicine, 44, 452-466. View this article in WRRO
- Pharmacological inhibition of the IKKε/TBK-1 axis potentiates the anti-tumour and anti-metastatic effects of Docetaxel in mouse models of breast cancer. Cancer Letters, 450, 76-87. View this article in WRRO
- Raman spectroscopy as a predictive tool for monitoring osteoporosis therapy in a rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 30(2).
- Bidirectional regulation of bone formation by exogenous and osteosarcoma-derived Sema3A. Scientific Reports, 8(1). View this article in WRRO
- Pharmacological Inhibition of the Skeletal IKKβ Reduces Breast Cancer-Induced Osteolysis. Calcified Tissue International, 103(2), 206-216. View this article in WRRO
- Regulation of breast cancer induced bone disease by cancerspecific IKKβ. Oncotarget, 9(22), 16134-16148. View this article in WRRO
- Raman spectroscopy predicts the link between claw keratin and bone collagen structure in a rodent model of oestrogen deficiency. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease, 1864(2), 398-406. View this article in WRRO
- TRAF2 in osteotropic breast cancer cells enhances skeletal tumour growth and promotes osteolysis. Scientific Reports, 8(1). View this article in WRRO
- Pharmacological evidence for the bone-autonomous contribution of the NFκB/β-catenin axis to breast cancer related osteolysis. Cancer Letters, 410, 180-190. View this article in WRRO
- Combined deficiency of the Cnr1 and Cnr2 receptors protects against age‐related bone loss by osteoclast inhibition. Aging Cell, 16(5), 1051-1061. View this article in WRRO
- Emerging therapeutic targets in cancer induced bone disease: A focus on the peripheral type 2 cannabinoid receptor. Pharmacological Research, 119, 391-403. View this article in WRRO
- Bone Cell-autonomous Contribution of Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor to Breast Cancer-induced Osteolysis. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 290(36), 22049-22060.
- Rodent models of osteoporosis. BoneKEy Reports, 3.
- Modulation of Strain-Specific Differences in Gene Expression by Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor Deficiency. Calcified Tissue International, 94(4), 423-432.
- Genetic Background Modifies the Effects of Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor Deficiency on Bone Mass and Bone Turnover. Calcified Tissue International, 94(3), 259-268.
- Selective tyrosine kinase inhibition of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor inhibits human and mouse breast cancer-induced bone cell activity, bone remodeling, and osteolysis. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 28(5), 1229-1242.
- Role of cannabinoids in the regulation of bone remodeling. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 3. View this article in WRRO
- Hydrogen sulphide-releasing diclofenac derivatives inhibit breast cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro
and prevent osteolysis ex vivo. British Journal of Pharmacology, 165(6), 1914-1925.
- The promise and dilemma of cannabinoid therapy: lessons from animal studies of bone disease. BoneKEy Reports, 1, 224-224.
- Analysis of Signalling Pathways by Western Blotting and Immunoprecipitation, 223-232.
- Ovariectomy/Orchidectomy in Rodents, 545-551.
- The Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor Regulates Bone Mass and Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss by Affecting Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Formation. Endocrinology, 152(6), 2141-2149.
- The promise and dilemma of cannabinoid therapy: Lessons from animal studies of bone disease. IBMS BoneKEy, 8(2), 84-95.
- The Biphenyl-Carboxylate Derivative ABD328 is a Novel Orally Active Antiresorptive Agent. Calcified Tissue International, 87(6), 525-532.
- Small molecule inhibitors of IκB kinase signaling inhibit osteoclast formation
in vitro
and prevent ovariectomy‐induced bone loss
in vivo. The FASEB Journal, 24(11), 4545-4555.
- Cannabinoids and Bone: Friend or Foe?. Calcified Tissue International, 87(4), 285-297.
- The type 2 cannabinoid receptor protects against age-related bone loss and ovariectomy induced bone loss by stimulating bone formation. Bone, 47, S42-S43.
- Corrigendum to “ABD56 causes osteoclast apoptosis by inhibiting the NFκB and ERK pathways” [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 371 (2008) 94–98]. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 395(2), 289-289.
- The TRPV1 ion channel antagonist capsazepine inhibits osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation in vitro and ovariectomy induced bone loss in vivo. Bone, 46(4), 1089-1099.
- Cannabinoid Receptors as Target for Treatment of Osteoporosis: A Tale of Two Therapies. Current Neuropharmacology, 8(3), 243-253.
- Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Protects against Age- Related Osteoporosis by Regulating Osteoblast and Adipocyte Differentiation in Marrow Stromal Cells. Cell Metabolism, 10(2), 139-147.
- Pharmacologic inhibitors of IκB kinase suppress growth and migration of mammary carcinosarcoma cellsin vitroand prevent osteolytic bone metastasisin vivo. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 8(8), 2339-2347.
- Cannabinoid receptor type 1 protects against age-related bone loss by regulating osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells. Bone, 44, S222-S222.
- A small molecule inhibitor of RANKL- and TNF-induced signalling prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss and inflammation in collagen induced arthritis. Bone, 44, S244-S245.
- The type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2) protects against age-related osteoporosis by affecting bone formation and CB2 agonists exhibit anabolic activity in vivo. Bone, 44, S219-S219.
- Profile analysis of metaphyseal trabecular bone in rodent ovariectomy models reveals a bimodal dose-dependent response to administered bone active agents. Bone, 44, S155-S156.
- NOVEL SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITORS OF TNF- AND RANKL-SIGNALING PREVENT COLLAGEN INDUCED ARTHRITIS. RHEUMATOLOGY, 48, I40-I40.
- β2-Adrenoreceptor ligands regulate osteoclast differentiation in vitro by direct and indirect mechanisms. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 482(1-2), 96-103.
- The nitrosylated flurbiprofen derivative HCT1026 inhibits cytokine-induced signalling through a novel mechanism of action. European Journal of Pharmacology, 602(2-3), 215-222.
- Identification of Novel Biphenyl Carboxylic Acid Derivatives as Novel Antiresorptive Agents that Do Not Impair Parathyroid Hormone-Induced Bone Formation. Endocrinology, 150(1), 5-13.
- Role of cannabinoid receptors in bone disorders: Alternatives for treatment. Drug News and Perspectives, 21(10), 533-540.
- Regulation of Bone Mass, Osteoclast Function, and Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss by the Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor. Endocrinology, 149(11), 5619-5626.
- ABD56 causes osteoclast apoptosis by inhibiting the NFκB and ERK pathways. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 371(1), 94-98.
- Beta-2 adrenoreceptor ligands regulate osteoclast differentiation in vitro by direct and indirect mechanisms. Bone, 42, S34-S35.
- Aminobisphosphonates Cause Osteoblast Apoptosis and Inhibit Bone Nodule Formation In Vitro. Calcified Tissue International, 82(3), 191-201.
- Small molecule inhibitors of IKK-dependent signalling inhibit osteoclast formation in vitro and ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 82, S32-S32.
- The IKK inhibitors celastrol and parthenolide inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro and osteolytic bone metastasis in vivo. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 82, S49-S49.
- The novel biphenyl ketone ABD345 inhibits Nf-kappa-B activation, inflammation and joint destruction in collagen induced arthritis. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 82, S136-S136.
- Cannabinoid receptor antagonists inhibit osteoclast formation in vitro and ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo through the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 82, S31-S31.
- Cannabinoid receptor 2 selective agonists stimulate osteoclast formation in vitro but act as anabolic agents in vivo by stimulating bone formation. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 82, S118-S118.
- Bidirectional regulation of peak bone mass and age-related bone loss by the type I cannabinoid receptor. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 82, S57-S57.
- A Comparison between the Effects of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Statins on Osteoclast Function In Vitro and Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss In Vivo. Calcified Tissue International, 81(5), 403-413.
- Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates inhibit bone mineralization in vitro via a mechanism independent of inhibition of protein prenylation. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 80, S79-S79.
- Biphenylcarboxylates inhibit bone resorption in vitro and ovariectomy induced bone loss in vivo without impairing PTH induced bone formation. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 80, S28-S28.
- Cannabinoid receptor agonists are potential bone anabolic agents which stimulate bone formation in vitro and increase bone mass in vivo. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 80, S32-S32.
- Small molecule inhibitors of TRAF-dependent signaling as anti resorptive and anti-rheumatic drugs. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 80, S33-S33.
- Development and Characterization of Biphenylsulfonamides as Novel Inhibitors of Bone Resorption. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 49(25), 7487-7492.
- Regulation of bone mass, bone loss and osteoclast activity by cannabinoid receptors. Nature Medicine, 11(7), 774-779.
- The flurbiprofen derivatives HCT1026 and HCT1027 inhibit bone resorption by a mechanism independent of COX inhibition and nitric oxide production. Bone, 35(3), 636-643.
- CANNABINOID RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS INHIBIT OSTEOCLASTIC BONE RESORPTION IN VITRO AND PREVENT OVARIECTOMY INDUCED BONE LOSS IN VIVO. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 74, S34-S34.
- ABD56 A POTENT INHIBITOR OF BONE RESORPTION, INDUCES OSTEOCLAST APOPTOSIS VIA NFKB AND ERK INHIBITION IN VITRO. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 74, S35-S35.
- TRAF2, but not TRAF6, regulates breast cancer induced osteoclastogenesis and osteolysis.. Bone Abstracts.
- Regulation of bone metastasis by the IKK[beta]/FoxO3a axis. Bone Abstracts.
- Identification of Biphenylcarboxylic Acid Derivatives as a Novel Class of Bone Resorption Inhibitors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 19(10), 1651-1660.
Chapters
- Role of classical cannabinoid receptors in cancer-associated bone disease, Bone Cancer (pp. 295-303). Elsevier
- Effects of NF-κB manipulation on cancer-associated bone disease, Bone Cancer (pp. 241-251). Elsevier
- Role of NFκB in Bone Remodeling in Health and Cancer, Encyclopedia of Bone Biology (pp. 294-304). Elsevier
- Ovariectomy/Orchiectomy in Rodents, Methods in Molecular Biology (pp. 261-267). Springer New York
- Analysis of Signaling Pathways by Western Blotting and Immunoprecipitation, Methods in Molecular Biology (pp. 131-143). Springer New York
- Aymen I. Idris Ovariectomy and Orchidectomy in Rodents., Bone Research Protocols. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press
- Analysis of Signalling Pathways in Bone Cells. T, Bone Research Protocols. 2nd ed. Humana Press
Conference proceedings papers
- Genetic inactivation and pharmacological inhibition of IKKβ activity in cancer cells inhibit breast cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis, promotes osteoblast differentiation and prevents osteolysis. Bone, Vol. 50 (pp S51-S51)
- Combined deficiency of the CB1 and CB2 receptors enhances peak bone mass by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation but increases age-related bone loss by promoting adipocyte differentiation and reducing osteoblast differentiation. Bone, Vol. 50 (pp S32-S32)
- A novel small molecule inhibitor of TRAF-dependent signalling inhibits breast cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis and prevents osteolysis. Bone, Vol. 50 (pp S61-S62)
- The novel and selective insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor kinase inhibitor pqip suppresses bone cell function and osteoclast- breast cancer cell cross-talk. Bone, Vol. 48 (pp S257-S257)
- Genetic disruption of both the CB1 and the CB2 receptor in mice enhances trabecular bone mass but reduces cortical bone mass. Bone, Vol. 48 (pp S127-S127)
- The CB2 receptor regulates osteoclast formation, breast cancer cell migration and osteoclast/tumour cell interaction via the PI3 Kinase/AKT pathway. Bone, Vol. 48 (pp S73-S74)
- Identification of hydrogen sulfide releasing compounds as novel antiresorptive and antitumour agents. Bone, Vol. 48(1) (pp S44-S44)
- The novel and selective insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor kinase inhibitor PQIP suppresses bone cell function and osteoclast-breast cancer cell cross-talk in vitro. Bone, Vol. 48(1) (pp S43-S43)
- Peripheral cannabinoid type 2 receptor regulates osteoclast formation, MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell migration and bone marrow/tumour cell interaction via PI3 kinase/AKT and P38 pathways. Bone, Vol. 48(1) (pp S44-S44)
- A novel profile analysis of metaphyseal trabecular bone reveals a biphasic dose-dependent response to administered bone active agents. Bone, Vol. 43 (pp S19-S19)
- Profile Analysis of Rodent Metaphyseal Trabecular Bone Reveals a Biphasic Dose-Dependent Response To Administered Bone Active Agents. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 23 (pp S220-S220)
- Cannabinoid receptor 2 selective agonists stimulate osteoclast formation in vitro but act as anabolic agents in vivo by stimulating bone formation. Bone, Vol. 42 (pp S31-S31)
- P52. The IKK inhibitors celastrol and parthenolide inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro and osteolytic bone metastasis in vivo. Cancer Treatment Reviews, Vol. 34 (pp 75-75)
- Rosuvastatin inhibits bone resorption in vitro by inhibiting protein prenylation, and prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 20(9) (pp S260-S260)
- Cannabinoid receptor 1 knockout mice have increased bone mass and are protected from ovariectomy-induced bone loss. BONE, Vol. 36 (pp S132-S132)
- ABD56 is a potent inhibitor of RANKL- and TNF-stimulated NF kappa B and ERK activation in vitro. RHEUMATOLOGY, Vol. 44 (pp I36-I36)
- Regulation of osteoclastic bone resorption and bone mass by the cannabinoid receptor 1 pathway.. JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Vol. 19 (pp S284-S284)
- Identification of biphenyl-carboxylic acid derivatives as a novel class of bone resorption inhibitors. BONE, Vol. 34 (pp S22-S23)
- Cannabinoid receptor antagonists inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro and prevent ovariectomy induced bone loss in vivo. BONE, Vol. 34 (pp S22-S22)
Patents
- Ketones and reduced ketones as therapeutic agents for the treatment of bone conditions. PCT/GB2004/001958 Appl. 11 Aug 2009.
- Aryl Alkyl Sulfonamides as therapeutic agents for the treatment of bone conditions. PCT/GB2005/002043 Appl. 26 Jan 2006.
- Cannabinoid receptor inverse agonists as therapeutic agents for the treatment of bone disorders. PCT/GB2004/000858 Appl. 16 Sep 2004.
Other
- Recent Trends and Advances in Cancer-Induced Bone Disease. Calcified Tissue International, 102(2), 129-130.
- Bone Research Protocols. Humana Press.
- Teaching interests
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- Supervise undergraduates, MSc and PhD students in my laboratory
- Teach a module on hypothesis testing and experimental design in medical research
- Teach and run tutorials on research skills to PhD students
- Act as lead tutor to postgraduate students
- Act as personal academic tutor to medical, MSc and PhD students
- Professional activities
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- Chairman, Data Scientist and Founder at AiS Think-Tank (2021 - present).
- Founder of the cloud-based software PubFund.
- Editor, Springer Bone Research Protocols, 3rd edition (2019)
- Editor-in-Chief and Founder, HubLE - The IFMRS Learning Environment (2019-21)
- Associated editor at BoneKEy Reports (2013 - 2017)
- Member of editorial board of Calcified Tissue International
- Editor, Cancer and Bone, Calcified Tissue International (February, 2018)
- Member of British Pharmacological Society (BPS), European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), International Bone and Mineral Society (IBMS) and American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
- Ad hoc reviewer for a number of national and international science journals and research charities.
- Board member of the Calcified Tissue International Society (ECTS, 2010 – 2013).
- Founder of the ECTS Postdoc Gathering and co-founder of ECTS New Investigator Seminar.
- Co-founder and chair of the ECTS New Investigator Committee (2010 – 2013).
Startup Companies
- PF SYSTEM Ltd - Founder of PF System Ltd. (Registration No: 11983932), a company established to develop the cloud-based software, PubFund in collaboration with a team of independent software engineers.
- ArthElix Ltd - Founder and shareholder of ArthElix Ltd. (Registration No: 10597512), a company established in 2017 to develop and test novel TRAF/NFkB inhibitors as a novel class of anti-rheumatic and anti-metastatic drugs.
- OSTEORX LIMITED - Co-founder and shareholder of OSTEORX LIMITED (Registration No: SC288265), a company established in 2005 to develop biphenyl-carboxylic acid compounds and their non-hydrolysable derivatives as a novel class of anti-rheumatic drugs. OSTEORX LIMITED and Modern Biosciences plc. have recently entered into an R&D alliance and global option and licence agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Awards
- Young investigator award (ECTS, 2007)
- AMGEN/ECTS Bone Biology Fellowship
- Young investigator award (ECTS, 2006)
- IBMS Young investigator award (ECTS, 2005)
- Young investigator award (ECTS, 2004)
- Frontiers of Skeletal Biology Young investigator award (2002)