Overview

I studied History for my first degree and spent a number of years teaching History at A level and higher. Following a career break, I became interested in pursuing a career in medical research and so returned to University to study Medical Science at University of Exeter Medical School. I am currently researching a PhD in Molecular Genetics with Professor Lorna Harries team. This combines both my interest in genomics as well as understanding how lifestyle contributes to disease progression in Type 2 Diabetes.

Qualifications

• BSc Medical Science first Class University of Exeter Medical School

• BSc in Contemporary History first class University of Plymouth

• Cert Ed

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Research

Research interests

I am researching changes to the insulin producing beta cells in Type 2 Diabetes. Recent studies in mice have shown that these cells can revert to either pre-beta cell types or switch into other types of pancreatic hormone cell. This causes the beta cells to lose their ability to secrete insulin, with devastating effects on blood glucose regulation. Our aim is to see if this process also occurs in human cells and to see how the physical conditions associated with Type 2 Diabetes, such as hyperglycaemia, inflammation, hypoxia and toxic fatty acids, might drive changes to mRNA processing, thereby explaining these changes to beta cell identity and function.

Publications

Jeffery N.M and Harries L.W. Beta cell differentiation status in Type 2 Diabetes. (Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 2016, Vol. 18, Issue 12, pp 1167-1175

Jeffery N.M The species origin of the cellular microenvironment influences markers of beta cell fate and function in EndoC-βH1 cells. (Experimental Cell Research, December 2017)

Jeffery N.M et al Cellular stressors may alter islet hormone cell proportions by moderation of alternative splicing patterns (Human Molecular Genetics, May 2019)

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