Dr Helen Berry

Profile

Academic Background:

BSc (Hons) - Microbiology, University of Leeds, 1996.

PhD - Microbiology (Cellular immunology to microbial heat shock proteins and propionibacterium acnes in acne vulgaris), University of Leeds, 2000.

Research interests

Research Interests: Elucidating the Mechanisms Underpinning the Immunomodulation and Regenerative Properties of Acellular Scaffolds

Research at the University of Leeds on the "Tissue Engineering a Living Heart Valve" and “Tissue Engineering Pericardial Patches for Cardiovascular Repair” projects led to the development of a decellularisation process for porcine heart valves and pericardium.  The regenerative potential of these acellular scaffolds was demonstrated in vivo, and insight was gained on the role of macrophages in the regenerative process.  Successful commercialisation of the decellularisation technology and continued collaborative research generated new acellular scaffolds, and insight into cell signalling mechanisms occurring at the acellular scaffold-tissue interface was gained.  Although clinical use has been achieved for these acellular technologies, questions remain over the key drivers behind their regeneration into functional tissue.

My research focus is therefore on elucidating the mechanisms of immunomodulation and tissue regeneration in acellular scaffolds for cardiovascular repair and replacement, in conjunction with investigating translational issues such as bioprocessing and sterilisation methods.  Clinical success can be built upon by defining the mechanisms of action, and functional tolerances for natural matrix modification, to provide insight for new scaffold development; whilst targeted bioprocessing methods and integrated sterilisation strategies will increase the opportunity for the applied research to be translated into clinical practice. 

To find out more about the Insitute of Medical & Biological Engineering's research visit imbe.leeds.ac.uk

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering

Current postgraduate researchers

• Izat Fatima