University of Exeter Medical School

Dr Talitha Kerrigan

Dr Talitha Kerrigan

Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience

 T.L.Kerrigan@exeter.ac.uk

 01392 72 7080

 College House G05

 

College House, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK

Overview

Qualifications

  • 2004 BSc (Hons) Anatomical Science, University of Bristol
  • 2008 PhD Neurophysiology, University of Leeds
  • 2015 PCAP, University of Exeter
  • 2016 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Research group links

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Research

Research interests

Broad research specialisms

  • Educational Neuroscience
  • Models of Dementia
  • Neuroinflammation and glial biology
  • Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
  • In vitro electrophysiology
  • Synaptic and intrinsic neuroplasticity

Professional Memberships

Physiological Society

British Neuroscience Association

British Society for Neuroendocrinology

Society for Neuroscience

Research projects

Current Projects:

  • Neuron-Microglia Interactions During Neuronal Network Oscillations: Implications for Dementia. (GW4 BioMed MRC Doctoral Studentship with Dr Jon Brown, Exeter)
  • Functional characterisation of iPSC- derived neural cells from individuals with high genetic loading for AD. (Alzheimer’s Society PhD studentship in collaboration with Prof. Katie Lunnon, Exeter).
  • The dynamic role of astrocyte secreted APOE4 in Alzheimer’s disease; investigating using human induced pluripotent stem cells (Alzheimer’s Society Grant, in collaboration with Prof Andy Randall, Exeter and Prof Seth Love, Bristol)

Grants/Funding:

2019    Alzheimer’s Research UK Oxford Network Pilot Grant        

            Role: Co-Investigator (PI – Dr L.Thei University of Reading)

            Title: TRPM8 Ion Channel Distribution in Aged J20 Microglia

2018    Alzheimer’s Research UK South West Network Centre Equipment Grant  

            Role: Co-Investigator (PI – Jennifer Imm, Exeter)

            Title: Lonza Cytosmart 2

2017    Alzheimer’s Research UK Network Cooperation Grant

            Role: PI (PI – Dr Mark Dallas, Reading)

            Title: Microglial remodelling in dementia

2017    Alzheimer's Society Undergraduate Summer Studentship

            Role: Co-Investigator (PI – Dr Craig Beall, Exeter)

            Title: Measurement of cellular metabolism in IPSC-derived astrocytes with high genetic load for                  Alzheimer's disease - impact of glucose variation

2016    BRACE Pilot Grant

            Role: PI

            Title: Amyloid-beta clearance and neuronal function in a human model of Alzheimer’s disease.

2016    Alzheimer’s Research UK South West Network Centre Pilot Grant

            Role: Co-Investigator (PI – Jennifer Imm)

            Title: Characterisation of iPSC-derived microglial cells with high and low genetic loading for                        Alzheimer’s disease.

2016    Alzheimer’s Research UK Equipment Grant

            Role: Co-Investigator (PI - Prof Andrew Randall)

            Title: Contribution to the purchase of a Ti-Sapphire laser to enable establishment of multiphoton                fluorescence imaging facility.

2015    Alzheimer’s Research UK Network Centre Pilot Grant                                             

            Role: PI

           Title: Epigenetic regulation of amyloid beta clearance and neuronal function in a human model of               Alzheimer’s disease.

Research networks

Research grants

  • 2019 GW4 BioMed
    Neuron-Microglia Interactions During Neuronal Network Oscillations: Implications for Dementia

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Publications

Journal articles

Stathakos P, Jiménez-Moreno N, Crompton LA, Nistor PA, Badger JL, Barbuti PA, Kerrigan TL, Randall AD, Caldwell MA, Lane JD, et al (2021). A monolayer hiPSC culture system for autophagy/mitophagy studies in human dopaminergic neurons. Autophagy, 17(4), 855-871. Abstract.  Author URL.
Imm J, Pishva E, Ali M, Kerrigan TL, Jeffries A, Burrage J, Glaab E, Cope EL, Jones KM, Allen ND, et al (2021). Characterization of DNA Methylomic Signatures in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells During Neuronal Differentiation. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9 Abstract.
Thei L, Imm J, Kaisis E, Dallas ML, Kerrigan TL (2018). Microglia in Alzheimer's Disease: a Role for Ion Channels. Front Neurosci, 12 Abstract.  Author URL.
Imm J, Kerrigan TL, Jeffries A, Lunnon K (2017). Using induced pluripotent stem cells to explore genetic and epigenetic variation associated with Alzheimer's disease. Epigenomics, 9(11), 1455-1468. Abstract.  Author URL.
Tamagnini F, Novelia J, Kerrigan TL, Brown JT, Tsaneva-Atanasova KT, Randall AD (2015). Altered intrinsic excitability of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in aged PDAPP mice. Front. Cell. Neurosci., 9
Kerrigan TL, Brown JT, Randall AD (2014). Characterization of altered intrinsic excitability in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells of the Aβ-overproducing PDAPP mouse. Neuropharmacology, 79(100), 515-524. Abstract.  Author URL.
Kerrigan TL, Randall AD (2013). A new player in the "synaptopathy" of Alzheimer's disease - arc/arg 3.1. Front Neurol, 4 Abstract.  Author URL.
Whitehead G, Jo J, Hogg EL, Piers T, Kim D-H, Seaton G, Seok H, Bru-Mercier G, Son GH, Regan P, et al (2013). Acute stress causes rapid synaptic insertion of Ca2+ -permeable AMPA receptors to facilitate long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. Brain, 136(Pt 12), 3753-3765. Abstract.  Author URL.
Crompton LA, Byrne ML, Taylor H, Kerrigan TL, Bru-Mercier G, Badger JL, Barbuti PA, Jo J, Tyler SJ, Allen SJ, et al (2013). Stepwise, non-adherent differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to generate basal forebrain cholinergic neurons via hedgehog signaling. Stem Cell Res, 11(3), 1206-1221. Abstract.  Author URL.
Watt NT, Taylor DR, Kerrigan TL, Griffiths HH, Rushworth JV, Whitehouse IJ, Hooper NM (2012). Prion protein facilitates uptake of zinc into neuronal cells. Nat Commun, 3 Abstract.  Author URL.
Kerrigan TL, Daniel J W, Regan PL, Cho K (2012). The role of neuronal calcium sensors in balancing synaptic plasticity and synaptic dysfunction. Front Mol Neurosci, 5 Abstract.  Author URL.
Jo J, Whitcomb DJ, Olsen KM, Kerrigan TL, Lo S-C, Bru-Mercier G, Dickinson B, Scullion S, Sheng M, Collingridge G, et al (2011). Aβ(1-42) inhibition of LTP is mediated by a signaling pathway involving caspase-3, Akt1 and GSK-3β. Nat Neurosci, 14(5), 545-547. Abstract.  Author URL.
Dallas ML, Boyle JP, Milligan CJ, Sayer R, Kerrigan TL, McKinstry C, Lu P, Mankouri J, Harris M, Scragg JL, et al (2011). Carbon monoxide protects against oxidant-induced apoptosis via inhibition of Kv2.1. FASEB J, 25(5), 1519-1530. Abstract.  Author URL.
Kerrigan TL, Atkinson L, Peers C, Pearson HA (2008). Modulation of 'A'-type K+ current by rodent and human forms of amyloid beta protein. Neuroreport, 19(8), 839-843. Abstract.  Author URL.

Conferences

Kerrigan T, Regan P, Crompton L, Caldwell M, Lane J, Randall A, Love S (2019). Examining ApoE Isoform-Specific Effects on Astrocytic Function By Use of hiPSC-Derived Cortical Astrocytes.  Author URL.

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External Engagement and Impact

Awards

  • 2019 – Above and Beyond Award for Impact
  • 2019 – Above and Beyond Award for Impact
  • 2018 – Above and Beyond Award for Collaboration
  • 2016 – Aspire Fellow

Committee/panel activities

  • British Neuroscience Association Local Group Representative
  • Physiological Society Neuroscience Theme Lead
  • Alzheimer’s Research UK Early-career representative

Editorial responsibilities

  • Associate Editor - Journal of Embryology and Stem Cell Research

Invited lectures

June 2018:                  Alzheimer’s Research UK Southwest Network Open public day

Sept 2017:                   Exeter Dementia Day, Rougemont Hotel, Exeter

August 2017:               7th International Conference on Dementia, Toronto

July 2016:                   Alzheimer’s Research UK Southwest Network meeting

June 2016:                  BRACE and Exeter Dementia Action Alliance Workshop

May 2016:                   Pint of Science Festival Exeter

September 2015:        GW4 Early career Neuroscience Day, Bristol

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Teaching

BSc Neuroscience:

  • Introduction to Neuroscience (NEU1006)
  • Advanced Methods in Neuroscience (NEU2001)
  • Neuroanatomy (NEU2004)
  • Neural Circuits (NEU2018)
  • Neuropharmacology (NEU2019)
  • Frontiers in Neuroscience (NEU3008)
  • Neuroimmunology (NEU3030)

BMBS:

  • SSU provider and facilitator

BSc Medical Imaging:

Anatomy and Physiology (PAM1011)

Modules

2023/24


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Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

  • Meg Elley GW4 BioMed MRC Doctoral Studentship

Alumni

  • Jennifer Imm PhD student
  • Laura Thei Postdoctoral Researcher ARUK funded
  • Sam Washer Final year project student

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