Professor Gillian M. Griffiths
FMedSci, FRS
I am a cell biologist and immunologist who has focused on understanding the fundamental cell biological mechanisms that drive cytotoxic T cell killing. I find scientific research endlessly fascinating and have always been intrigued by the parallels between seemingly disparate biological systems such as the immune synapse and primary cilia.
Beyond the lab, I enjoy bird watching and cycling in remote parts of Scotland.
Anna Lippert, PhD
I'm Anna, a Sir Henry Wellcome Trust fellow working on the role of forces during T cell activation and killing. During my 4 years I will work between three groups to combine 3D lightsheet imaging with intracellular force sensors and patient-derived T cells with various actin deficiencies.
Apart from sciencing, I spend my time with ballroom dancing and petting other people's cats.
Jordan Morris, PhD
The eukaryotic cell is compartmentalised and contains morphologically distinct membranous structures, known as organelles. This compartmentalisation allows for the segregation and organisation of biochemical pathways.
However, it has emerged that there is an intricate communication between different organelles within the cell, occurring at membrane contact sites (MCSs). These MCSs allow for the exchange of molecules between organelles, and serve as signalling platforms to coordinate cell fate decisions.
Using state-of-the-art microscopy and -omics technologies, we aim to elucidate the molecular and functional contribution of inter-organeller communication in cytotoxic T cell killing.
Madeleine Robertson, MChem
I am the lab manager for the Griffiths lab. My role in the lab is primarily to facilitate excellent research, and to ensure the other lab members make time for tea!
Outside of work, I like to swim, hike, and crochet, preferably with my cat on my lap.
Claire Ma, MB BChir
I am a Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD student and respiratory registrar. I am interested in the mechanisms of T cell activation by stimuli of differing strengths. For my studies I use single-cell methods including mass cytometry (Cytof) and single-cell RNA sequencing.
Adam Rochussen, MRes
I am a 3rd year PhD student on the Wellcome Trust I,I&I programme. I am interested in the actin cytoskeleton within killer T cells. Specifically, I am looking at actin regulators that give rise to primary immunodeficiencies when mutated in humans. Additionally, I work with Anna to investigate how actin might play a role in mechanotransduction within T cells. Working with CRISPR/cas9-engineered murine CTLs and primary human CTLs, I use a wide range of functional, biochemical, flow cytometric and imaging-based techniques. Outside of the lab (or even inside the lab when Jane’s not looking!) I enjoy the occasional freshly brewed, lightly roasted speciality coffee. I also take my physical fitness far too seriously and am partial to a spot of golf.
Martin Limback-Stokin, BA
I am an MB/PhD student, currently in the first year of my PhD. I am interested in identifying novel regulators controlling cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing. I will work on understanding the role of RNA transport for CTL killing. To do this I plan to use several techniques, including CRISPR gene editing and live cell imaging.
“Apart from sciencing”, I spend my time playing ice hockey.
