Dr Maninder Ahluwalia

I am actively involved in design and delivery of molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, precision medicine and nutrition, and epigenetics on a number of programmes within the department of Biomedical Sciences including BSc Healthcare Science, BSc Biomedical Science and Biomedical Sciences (Health, Exercise and Nutrition) and MSc Biomedical Science. I also manage the MSc Biomedical Science programme that offers five specialist pathways (Medical Genetics & Genomics, Medical Biochemistry, Immunohaematology, Medical Microbiology and Cellular & Molecular pathology).

Most of my research life has been focussed on elucidating the mechanisms of actions of various drugs including Rosiglitazone and Anagrelide. My technical expertise lie in the field of gene expression analysis by qPCR, transcriptional regulation, microarray analysis, and SNP genotyping. More recently I have focussed on applying my expertise to explore gene-nutrient interactions within the newly expanding fields of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. Certain gene polymorphisms contribute to the metabolic response, nutritional status, ability to respond/not-respond to nutritional interventions. At the same time certain nutrients within our diet have the ability to alter the gene expression and contribute to health and disease. I am interested in understanding the key genomic and epigenomic mechanisms of actions of dietary bioactive compounds and their interactions with the genome. I enjoy talking about “Eat to fit your Genes” and “personalised nutrition” at various public engagement platforms.

1. Hassan, N., Ali, A., Withycombe, C., Ahluwalia, M., Al-Nasseri, R.H., Tonks, A. and Morris, K. (2018). TET-2 up-regulation is associated with the anti-inflammatory action of Vicenin-2. Cytokine, [online] 108, pp.37–42. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29567563/ [Accessed 23 Mar. 2021].

2. Butcher, L., Ahluwalia, M., Örd, T., Johnston, J., Morris, R.H., Kiss-Toth, E., Örd, T. and Erusalimsky, J.D. (2017). Evidence for a role of TRIB3 in the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis. Scientific Reports, 7(1). 1. Hassan, N., Ali, A., Withycombe, C., Ahluwalia, M., Al-Nasseri, R.H., Tonks, A. and Morris, K. (2018). TET-2 up-regulation is associated with the anti-inflammatory action of Vicenin-2. Cytokine, [online] 108, pp.37–42. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29567563/ [Accessed 23 Mar. 2021]. 2. Butcher, L., Ahluwalia, M., Örd, T., Johnston, J., Morris, R.H., Kiss-Toth, E., Örd, T. and Erusalimsky, J.D. (2017). Evidence for a role of TRIB3 in the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis. Scientific Reports, 7(1).

3. Hassan, N., Withycombe, C., Ahluwalia, M., Thomas, A. and Morris, K. (2015). A methanolic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds regulates markers of macrophage polarization. Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 5(12), p.417.

4. Isa, S.A., Ruffino, J.S., Ahluwalia, M., Thomas, A.W., Morris, K. and Webb, R. (2011). M2 macrophages exhibit higher sensitivity to oxLDL-induced lipotoxicity than other monocyte/macrophage subtypes. Lipids in Health and Disease, 10(1).

5. AHLUWALIA, M., DONOVAN, H., SINGH, N., BUTCHER, L. and ERUSALIMSKY, J.D. (2010). Anagrelide represses GATA-1 and FOG-1 expression without interfering with thrombopoietin receptor signal transduction. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 8(10), pp.2252–2261.

6. Morris, R.H.K., Tonks, A.J., Jones, K.P., Ahluwalia, M.K., Thomas, A.W., Tonks, A. and Jackson, S.K. (2008). DPPC regulates COX-2 expression in monocytes via phosphorylation of CREB. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 370(1), pp.174–178.

7. Caddy, J., Singh, N., Atkin, L., Ahluwalia, M., Roberts, A., Lang, D., Thomas, A.W. and Webb, R. (2008). Rosiglitazone transiently disturbs calcium homeostasis in monocytic cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 366(1), pp.149–155.

8. Ahluwalia, M., Evans, M., Morris, K., Currie, C., Davies, S., Rees, A. and Thomas, A. (2002). The influence of the Pro12Ala mutation of the PPAR-gamma receptor gene on metabolic and clinical characteristics in treatment-naive patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 4(6), pp.376–378.

Book Chapters:

Ahluwalia, M.K. (2021). Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics-a personalised approach to nutrition. In: D. Kumar, ed., Advances in Genetics. [online] Academic Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.adgen.2021.08.005.

Patent:

Co-inventor of TRB3-related patent on: ASSAYS FOR AGENTS AFFECTING MEGAKARYOCYTE DEVELOPMENT (Application Number:12/898590 , Publication Date: 05/12/2011)

Other:
New Scientists 2020
Genetic privacy: We must learn from the story of Henrietta Lacks

BBC Bitesize Learn & Revise 2020
Henrietta Lacks: How her 'immortal' cells advanced modern science

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