Dr Gary Forster-Wilkins

School/Department: Life Sciences
Position: Principal Lecturer in Biochemistry

Biography

Upon completion of my PhD at the University of Warwick, studying the transposition of Bacteriophage Mu and Tn5 in E. coli, I changed the direction of my reserach to study functional abnormalities in platelets and neutrophils from diabetic patients. This work was initiated at the University of Warwick and continued at the University of Ancona (Italy) where the studies were extended to investigate erythrocyte aging in diabetic patients. Whilst in Ancona I also began investigation on the antioxidant components in lipoproteins isolated from diabetics.
Following on from this research I moved to the University of Reading, where my research focused on low density lipoprotein oxidation and its relationship with atherosclerosis. The main focus was on the biochemical mechanisms of LDL oxidation by macrophages. These studies also broadened to include the antioxidant properties of dietary components, with a particular focus on the antiopxidants in wine and the potential relationship with the 'French Paradox' [an apparently low incidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease despite an atherogenic diet]. Toward the end of the investigations at Reading, the impact of oxidised lipoproteins on gene expression in vascular endothelial cells was also examined.

Educational and Professional Qualifications

• 1997 - 1999 PGCert Teaching & Learning in HE, Kingston University
• 1983 - 1986 PhD Chemistry [Studies on Bacterial Gene Transposition], University of Warwick
• 1980 - 1983 BSc (Hon) Biochemistry, University of Warwick

Research Interests

Biochemical Mechanisms in Atherosclerosis
Antioxidant properties of Dietary components
In silico analysis of bacterial genomes [esp. S. aureus]

Teaching Area

Molecular Genetics: Replication, Transcription and Translation; Structure, Function and uses of transposable genetic elements; Amino acid and Nucleotide Metabolism; Amino acid and Protein Structure; Bioinformatics

Other Professional Activity

Member of The Biochemical Society
Examiner for 2 PhD and 3 MSc theses

+-Publications

+-Professional Experience

2008 - present Timetabling Office, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University
2008 - present Principal Lecturer in Biochemistry/Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University
1999 - 2008 Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry/Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University
1999 - 2010 Course Director for Biochemistry courses, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University
1997 - 1999 Lecturer in Biochemistry/Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University
1989 - 1997 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Animal & Microbial Sciences, University of Reading
1987 - 1989 Exchange Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ancona (Italy)
1986 - 1987 Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick