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Research centre

Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration

Image of a mouse pancreatic organoid, nuclei are labelled in green or purple dependent on cell proliferation status

The CHDSCR brings together researchers studying stem cells and development and ways to promote the regeneration of diseased or injured tissues. We aim to provide an environment where excellent scientists can make exciting discoveries for patient benefit.

Part of Medicine

About

Our vision

Directed by Prof Jon Dawson, we translate pioneering developmental and stem cell science for patient benefit.

The Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration (CHDSCR) was founded in 2004 as a cross-disciplinary research and translational programme within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton.

We do fundamental research into early development and stem cells together with applied translational research targeting the NHS and patient benefit.

Our vibrant and thriving interdisciplinary research programmes harness the translational strength of the University together with an MRes program in Stem Cells, outstanding clinical infrastructure and enterprise to deliver on this vision.

The Centre comprises a grouping of scientists and clinician scientists with a shared interest in Stem Cells, Development and Regenerative Medicine within excellent core space in the Institute of Developmental Sciences and units across Southampton General Hospital and Institute for Life Sciences

Our mission

Our aim is to understand early human development and fundamental stem cell biology to inform and aid our translation and development of cell therapies for regenerative medicine.

Research highlights

An extreme close-up of the tip of an injection needle, with a drop of nanoclay sitting at the tip.

Using nanoclay gel to regrow, repair and replace damaged cells

Health and wellbeing
Southampton researchers have developed an innovative medical clay that can be used to apply regenerative medicine to patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

People, projects, publications and PhDs

People

Emeritus Professor Graham Packham

Connect with Graham

Email: G.K.Packham@soton.ac.uk

Tel: +44 2381206192

ORCID

Dr Janos Kanczler PhD

Lecturer
Connect with Janos

Email: J.Kanczler@soton.ac.uk

Tel: +44 7584496150

ORCID

Professor Jaswinder Sethi BSc DPhil FRSB

Professor of Immunometabolism

Research interests

  • Immunometabolism
  • Obesity
  • Metabolic diseases

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Jaswinder

Email: J.Sethi@soton.ac.uk

Tel: +44 2381208502

Google Scholar
ORCID
LinkedIn
Twitter

Dr Jessica Nelson PhD

Lecturer in Advanced Cell Models

Research interests

  • Cancer stem cell biology
  • Tissue Repair Mechanisms
  • Pancreatic cancer progression

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Jessica

Email: J.Nelson@soton.ac.uk

ORCID

Professor Jon Dawson

Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Connect with Jon

Email: jid@soton.ac.uk

ORCID

Dr Jonathan West BSc, PhD, FHEA, MRSC

Associate Professor of Biomicrofluidics

Research interests

  • Thrombosis prediction at the point of care
  • Microfluidic HDX for investigating protein dynamics
  • Droplet microfluidics for time-resolved serial crystallography

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Jonathan

Email: J.J.West@soton.ac.uk

Tel: +44 23 8059 3460

ORCID

Dr Jorn Lakowski

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Retinal Disease Modelling
  • Retinal Development
  • Drug Screening

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Jorn

Email: J.Lakowski@soton.ac.uk

ORCID

Dr Kif Liakath-Ali MSc, MPhil, PhD.

Lecturer in Advanced Cell Biology

Research interests

  • Regulation of RNA splicing
  • RNA Splicing Misregulation in Neurodegeneration
  • Ribosomes and Alternative Splicing

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Kif

Email: kif.liakath-ali@soton.ac.uk

ORCID

Dr Liku Tezera BM, MSc , PhD, FHEA

Senior Research Fellow

Research interests

  • Physiologically relevant in vitro models for chronic bacterial infections that capture host m…

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Liku

Email: L.Tezera@soton.ac.uk

ORCID

Professor Mark Cragg

Professor in Experimental Cancer Biology

Research interests

  • Antibody biology
  • Antibody engineering
  • Cancer Immunotherapy
Connect with Mark

Email: M.S.Cragg@soton.ac.uk

Tel: +44 2381208452

ORCID
Cutout head and shoulders of Professor Jon Dawson
Professor Jon Dawson
Director, CHDSCR
View profile
The CHDSCR provides a hub for the University’s unique strengths in stem cell science and its translation drawing together researchers from Medicine, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering.
Cutout head and shoulders of Dr Melissa Andrews
Doctor Melissa Andrews
Co-director, CHDSCR
View profile
As my research group studies nervous system regeneration, being a part of the CHDSCR community provides an optimal platform for us to share ideas and collaborate with others interested in regenerative medicine.
Cutout head and shoulders of Dr Owen Rackham
Doctor Owen Rackham
Associate Professor (SBS, Systems Biology)
View profile
I develop computational and experimental technologies to understand cell fate decisions and their role in disease. Together with colleagues in the CHDSCR, we aim to use these technologies to find novel ways to intervene when faulty cell-fate decisions impact on our health.

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Connect with us

Enquiries

If you have specific research enquiries, please contact individual academics listed in the 'People' section on this page.

Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration
Faculty of Medicine (School of Human Development and Health) 
University of Southampton  
Southampton General Hospital 
Tremona Road
Southampton SO16 6YD