Linnet Thekkemuriyl
Research Assistant
Biomedical Sciences
Cardiff School of Health Sciences
University of Wales Institute Cardiff
Western Avenue
CF5 2YB
Wales
Tel: +44 (0)29 2020 1172
Email: lthekkemuriyl@uwic.ac.uk
Background
Graduated from University of Sheffield, Sheffield with a Masters in molecular medicine (first class) in 2007. Also graduated with a Masters and Bachelors in Biotechnology (first class) from Bharathiar University, India in 2006 and 2004 respectively.
Research Programme Details
Programme: PhD (Full Time)
Director of Studies: Dr Neil Rushmere
Other Supervisors: Dr Andrew Thomas, Dr Keith Morris
Programme Director: Prof Jorge Erusalimsky
Title of Research
“Biological markers of ageing”
Research Area
This research involves a cross-sectional study to investigate the mechanisms underlying the relationship between biological markers of ageing and the negative impact on the biological ageing process due to psychological stress, lack of physical activity and unhealthy diet. This negatively impacts individuals leading to increased onset of age related diseases such as diseases of the vasculature.
There has been extensive research establishing the relationship between the biological ageing process and the onset of age related diseases. Ageing is associated with endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening, impaired angiogenesis, defective vascular repair and increasing prevalence to atherosclerosis or heart disease. The reasons for these associations are still unclear, but it is possible that biological ageing and vascular disease may share common cellular mechanisms. One of the process that’s increasingly linked to ageing and vascular disease is cellular senescence. However, direct demonstration for the occurrence of this phenomenon in vivo has been hampered by the lack of non invasive techniques to measure the process. Also, in vitro studies indicate that both cell turnover and oxidative stress may contribute to cellular senescence by inducing telomere shortening. The main purpose of this project is to develop a non-invasive method to detect the occurrence of endothelial cell senescence in vivo.
The research is being conducted as part of a larger project looking at lifestyles and healthy ageing contained within the School of Health Sciences. Follow the link on the right for more information about the Ageing Well Project.