Research Projects in the Anatomy DepartmentExternally Funded- Stereotactic localisation of Brain Stem nuclei
This is a joint project with the Institute of Neurology, University College London.
Funding: Industry/UCL.
Principal Investigators: Mr Ludvic U. Zrinzo, Mr Marwan Hariz, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, University College London, Mr Laurence V. Zrinzo, Department of Anatomy, University of Malta.
Summary: Our research is aimed at the stereotactic localization of nuclei which appear to be useful for deep brain stimulation in the treatment of functional neurological conditions, particularly movement disorders. This line of research demands certain high technology such as a stereotactic frame, a neuro-navigation system and high-field MRI, which is where this collaboration comes into its own. It has already resulted in a number of high-profile neurology/neuroanatomy publications.
Zrinzo L, Zrinzo LV. Surgical anatomy of the pedunculopontine and peripeduncular nuclei. British Journal of Neurosurgery. 2008; 22(Suppl. 1): S19–S24
Zrinzo L, Zrinzo LV, Tisch S, et al. Stereotactic localization of the human pedunculopontine nucleus: atlas-based coordinates and validation of a magnetic resonance imaging protocol for direct localization. Brain 2008;131: 1588–98.
Zrinzo L, Zrinzo LV, Hariz M. The pedunculopontine and peripeduncular nuclei: a tale of two structures. Brain 2007;130(Pt 6):e73;author reply e74.
Zrinzo L, Zrinzo LV, Hariz M. The peripeduncular nucleus: a novel target for deep brain stimulation? Neuroreport 2007;18:1301–2.
- Stem-Cell and Leukaemia differentiation
Funding: Biotech Industry.
Principal Investigators: Dr Pierre Schembri-Wismayer and graduate students Annalise Cassar and Charlene Grech and visiting student Elisa Maria Hess.
Summary: Cord blood and parts of the umbilical cord itself is collected with maternal consent (and ethical approval). Cord blood cells and leukaemic cell lines are exposed to different combinations of known chromatin modifiers or differentiation agents together with more complex biological extracts shown to have differentiation effects. Differentiation is assessed by means of enzymatic tests and/or flow cytometry. Other work involves expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells ex vivo, using chromatin -modifying agents, different stromal cells, biological extracts and biological/semi-synthetic matrices.
- The Genetics of Mental Retardation in Malta
This is a joint project being performed in collaboration with the Istituto di Genetica, Università del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
Funding: Grants from the Sixth Italian Protocol and the Sovereign Order of Malta (SMOM).
Investigators: Professor Alfred Cuschieri (Department of Anatomy, University of Malta); Professor Giovanni Neri, (Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome); Dr Edith Said, Mr Sherif Suleiman, Mr J. Ellul, (Department of Anatomy, University of Malta).
Summary: The aim of this project is to review past and current cases of Mental retardation in the light of recent advances in genetics. Individuals resident at "Dar Tal-Providenza", a home for mentally retarded individuals, were reviewed clinically, screened for the Fragile X syndrome and had cytogenetic analysis, telomere analysis and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) for single gene disorders. The same techniques are being used on mentally retarded individuals residing with their families and seen at the clinical cytogenetics clinic at Mater Dei Hospital. This study has brought to light a number of genetic anaomalies and dysmorphology syndromes that were previously undiagnosed.
- Screening of Maltese Medicinal & Aromatic Plants for Pharmacological Activity
This is a joint project with the Institute of Agriculture in the University of Malta.
Funding: Grant from the National RTDI Programme.
Principal Investigators: Dr Everardo Attard, Institute of Agriculture, University of Malta, Professor Alfred Cuschieri, Department of Anatomy, University of Malta.
Summary: Several Maltese medicinal and aromatic plants are reputed to be medically useful to cure various ailments. This study investigates the true pharmacological activity of extracts of these medicinal plants as regards their cytotoxic, proliferative and other effects on human normal and cancer cells in culture. Alongside this, we shall catalogue the presence or absence of these medicinal plants and their relative abundance in the wild, to shed light on which plants are endangered. This study will investigate which plants might have potential commercial value.
- Tumour Immunotherapy
Funding: Malta Government Scholarship Scheme.
Principal investigators: Dr Pierre Schembri-Wismayer and graduate student Yanika DeBattista.
Summary: One of the major problems with tumours is that they can escape the immune system as shown by the increase in tumours found in patients with immunosuppressive drugs. Re-activating the immune system – due to its capability to scour the whole body for errant tumour cells is therefore a very attractive method of potential therapy. Our research focuses on such reactivation in gastrointestinal tumours using techniques of tissue culture and cellular fusion between tumour cells and stem cells of different types.
Internally Funded- Bioactivity of Local Plant and other natural extracts
Principal Investigators: Professor Marie-Therese Camilleri-Podestà, Dr Pierre Schembri-Wismayer, with various graduate and undergraduate students including Elizabeth Zammit and Stephanie Darmanin, Denise Buhagiar and others: Department of Anatomy, University of Malta, Dr Godfrey Grech, Pathology Department, Mr Joseph Buhagiar, Biology Department, Faculty of Science.
Summary: The Department of Anatomy in conjunction with the Departments of Biology, Pathology, and the Curator of the University Botanical Gardens, at the University of Malta is carrying out in vitro testing on human cancer cell lines to assess cytotoxic effects. We are using various extracts from local conifers and flowering plants, members of the lamiacae and asteraceae as well as Maltese honeybee propolis. The main work has concentrated on the induction of apoptosis on specific cancer cell lines and comparison of activity with normal cells. There is ongoing collaboration with the Department of Bioorganic Pharmacy of Pisa to analyse the oil extracts being used. Collaboration is also ongoing with the Cancer Research Laboratory at Nottingham University to further understand the mechanism of apoptosis induced by such extracts.
- Gene Regulation in Differentiation and Disease
Researchers: Dr Pierre Schembri-Wismayer and graduate student Byron Baron.
Summary: Differences in gene expression underpin all functions of the body in health as well as in disease as well as the formation of the structures needed for these functions. An important part of the puzzle is to understand the regulation of gene expression resulting in these phenotypes. In cancer, differences in gene regulation and gene expression are responsible for the behaviours of cancer. Our research involves understanding the regulation of transcription factor activity and interplay with other cellular factors. The factors studied play a role in leukaemia differentiation and possibly also in some congenital diseases like Down's syndrome.
- Dysmorphology of Spontaneously Miscarried Foetuses
Principal Investigators: Professor Alfred Cuschieri, Dr Jean Calleja-Agius Department of Anatomy, University of Malta.
Summary: Foetuses resulting from spontaneous miscarriages are examined post-mortem to study the embryology and prevalence of malformations, dysmorphology and chromosome anomalies. In a big proportion of cases where the foetus has been dead in utero for several days and cells are non-viable, the most common numerical anomalies are still detectable by interphase FISH analysis. This project is an extension of the "Register of Congenital Anomalies in Malta", which was originally established within the Department of Anatomy in 1984. It is intended to identify the anomalies that are the main causes of foetal death, but are not normally included in the Register of congenital anomalies, which includes the anomalies recorded clinically in live or still-born babies. It will therefore give a more complete picture of Foetal and Congenital Anomalies, and of their pathogenesis.
- Other Clinical Research
Principal investigators: Dr Pierre Schembri-Wismayer together with Dr Safraz Ali and number of undergraduate medical students as well as graduate students as well as other collaborations with clinicians from Mater Dei Hospital and specialists from other governmental authorities.
Summary: This involves a number of small studies into the genetics of local breast cancer predisposition, the genetics of rare cases of drug resistance, genetics of certain infectious diseases, occasional animal genetics studies and analysis of operating and clinical procedures amongst others.
- Biomechanics
Principal Investigators: Dr Pierre Schembri-Wismayer, Mr Aaron Casha and a number of undergraduate medical students in collaboration with Dr Ing. Zdenka Sant from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta.
Summary: This involves at present a couple of small undergraduate studies into alternative means of locomotion support for obese people with painful joints. These initial studies are now being offered for continuation at a post-graduate level through the Engineering department of the University of Malta.
- Pedagogic Research - various
Principal Investigators: Dr Isabel Stabile as well as Dr Pierre Schembri-Wismayer (together with Professor M.T. Camilleri-Podestà and Professor A. Cuschieri and Dr Micallef Hawkes) – the latter collaborating with other colleagues in the Physiology Department, (UoM) and in the Anatomy Department, (University of Cambridge).
Summary: In these projects, we analyse the feedback of students over a number of years and compare issues arising between different types of students, different universities and different departments.
24 May 2012
http://www.um.edu.mt/ms/anatomy/research |
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