Stuart Savill

I am currently employed by Betsi Cadwaladr UHB as an Advanced Healthcare Scientist (Research) in the Maelor Academic Unit of Medical and Surgical Sciences. Prior to joining BCUHB I completed my PhD at Leicester University and was a postdoctoral research fellow at Cardiff University.

My research interests include the regulation of gene expression and the cytoskeleton, together with how these cellular mechanisms alter disease susceptibility, progression and behaviour. Current research projects involve using a rapid and sensitive DNA detection method to identify causative bacteria in neonatal meningitis; examining the effects of altered cell motility on tumour progression and metastasis; using circulating miRNA to differentiate benign and malignant thyroid tumours; assessing adipose derived stem cell numbers and viability to aid donor site selection in patients undergoing breast reconstruction surgery.

I have extensive experience of a wide range of molecular biology techniques, including work with various bacterial, fungal and mammalian cell lines and am thoroughly familiar with RT-qPCR assay development and validation, molecular cloning, plasmid construction reporter gene assays, fluorescence and confocal microscopy and methods for the study of DNA/RNA-protein interactions.

As part of my role as an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Wrexham University, I teach on the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Forensics, and Nutrition courses. I also teach on the MSc Biomedical Science and MRes Biomedical Sciences Research and Applied Clinical Research programmes. I am module lead for the following modules: SCI450 Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Genetics; SCI547 Cell and Molecular Biology; SCI645 Advances in Medicine: Diagnostics and Therapeutics; SCI646 Clinical Genetics and Cancer Biology; SCI727 Analytical and Molecular Techniques.