Dr Toby Hurd
IGC Chancellor's Fellow
Background
I obtained a BSc in biochemistry from the University of Bristol. During this time I received a Wellcome Trust Vacation Scholarship to perform research in a lab during the holidays. It was this time that inspired me to pursue a career in biomedical research. I joined the laboratory of Professor Jeremy Tavare at the University of Bristol, where I earned my PhD studying the signalling pathways regulated by insulin. After my graduate studies, I joined the laboratory of Professor Ben Margolis at the University of Michigan studying the signalling mechanisms that regulate epithelial cell polarity. During this time, my work uncovered a role for cell polarity proteins in regulating the formation of primary cilia. Primary cilia can be found on virtually all vertebrate cells and are the subject of intense research as there is a growing group of genetic diseases termed “ciliopathies” that arise due to cilia dysfunction. I continued my research on cilia when I was recruited as a junior faculty member to the laboratory of Professor Friedhelm Hildebrandt. Here my research involved the identification of novel ciliopathy genes by whole exome capture and next generation sequencing techniques. Now as a Chancellor’s Fellow, my research group is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of disease onset and progression caused by mutation of cilia-associated genes. I am particularly interested in those ciliopathies affecting the retina and kidney, and the development of screening strategies to identify novel therapeutic targets.
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Building liquid crystal lasers to transform fluorescence microscopy
Research output: Contribution to Exhibition › Poster (Published) -
A sensitive and affordable multiplex RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection
In:
PLoS Biology, vol. 18, pp. e3001030
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001030
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
The nanophthalmos protein TMEM98 inhibits MYRF self-cleavage and is required for eye size specification
In:
PLoS Genetics
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1008583
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Novel Roles of PRK1 and PRK2 in cilia and cancer biology
In:
Scientific Reports
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60604-3
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Liquid crystal lasers for ophthalmics
Research output: Contribution to Conference › Poster (Published) -
Photoreceptor actin dysregulation in syndromic and non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa
(11 pages)
In:
Biochemical Society Transactions, vol. 46, pp. 1463-1473
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20180138
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Review article (Published) -
Characterization of a novel RP2-OSTF1 interaction and its implication for actin remodeling
In:
Journal of Cell Science
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.211748
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
A Fluorescent Activatable Probe for Imaging Intracellular Mg2+
In:
Organic & Biomolecular chemistry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ob02965a
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Genome-wide Meta-analysis Unravels Novel Interactions between Magnesium Homeostasis and Metabolic Phenotypes
In:
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.2017030267
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Osteoclast stimulation factor 1 (Ostf1) KNOCKOUT increases trabecular bone mass in mice
(17 pages)
In:
Mammalian Genome, pp. 1-17
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00335-017-9718-3
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published)