Bethan Psaila

Last updated
Bethan Psaila
Alma mater
  • University of Cambridge
  • Imperial College London
  • Weill Cornell Medical College
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Oxford
Website https://www.rdm.ox.ac.uk/people/bethan-psaila

Bethan Psaila is a physician-scientist known for work in hematopoiesis, megakaryocyte/platelet biology and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). She is an Associate Professor of Hematology at the University of Oxford, a Cancer Research UK funded Senior Fellow, and a Senior Fellow of New College. In 2021, she co-founded Alethiomics, a drug-discovery company. [1] [2]

Contents

Education

Psaila received her undergraduate and medical training at Clare College, Cambridge and University College London Hospitals. She went on to pursue a PhD at Imperial College London and Weill-Cornell University Medical School in New York, where she studied the role of megakaryocytes in cancer metastasis. She completed her specialty training in hematology at the Hammersmith Hospital as an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London. Psaila was granted a prestigious Wellcome Clinical Career Development Fellowship, which supported further postdoctoral research in David Bodine's laboratory at the National Human Genome Research Institute in Maryland and with Professors Adam Mead and Irene Roberts at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford. [3] . She then obtained a Cancer Research UK Advanced Clinician Scientist to establish her own laboratory in the MRC WIMM in August 2019.

Research

Dr. Psaila is an Associate Professor of Hematology at the University of Oxford and serves as a Group Leader at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and Associate Member of the Oxford Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. [4] Her research focuses on the tumor microenvironment in blood cancers: [5]

Honors and awards

In 2015, Psaila was awarded a Wellcome Career Development Fellowship to use single cell techniques to study molecular mechanisms of abnormal megkaryocyte development in myelofibrosis [6]

In 2017, Psaila won a prestigious Fellowship at the L’Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland For Women In Science [7] [8]

In 2019, Psaila received a Cancer Research UK Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellowship.

In 2021, Psaila received the RDM-WIMM Sir Andrew McMichael Award for Excellent Supervision and Mentorship, recognizing her exceptional mentorship and support of trainees.

In 2024, Psaila was awarded a Senior Fellowship funded by Cancer Research UK in partnership with the Rosetrees Trust. [9] [10] This fellowship supports her research into the progression of cancers from indolent to advanced stages and the development of new therapies.

Selected publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haematopoiesis</span> Formation of blood cellular components

Haematopoiesis is the formation of blood cellular components. All cellular blood components are derived from haematopoietic stem cells. In a healthy adult human, roughly ten billion to a hundred billion new blood cells are produced per day, in order to maintain steady state levels in the peripheral circulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leukemia</span> Blood cancers forming in the bone marrow

Leukemia is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and produce high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called blasts or leukemia cells. Symptoms may include bleeding and bruising, bone pain, fatigue, fever, and an increased risk of infections. These symptoms occur due to a lack of normal blood cells. Diagnosis is typically made by blood tests or bone marrow biopsy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bone marrow</span> Semi-solid tissue in the spongy portions of bones

Bone marrow is a semi-solid tissue found within the spongy portions of bones. In birds and mammals, bone marrow is the primary site of new blood cell production. It is composed of hematopoietic cells, marrow adipose tissue, and supportive stromal cells. In adult humans, bone marrow is primarily located in the ribs, vertebrae, sternum, and bones of the pelvis. Bone marrow comprises approximately 5% of total body mass in healthy adult humans, such that a man weighing 73 kg (161 lbs) will have around 3.7 kg (8 lbs) of bone marrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Essential thrombocythemia</span> Overproduction of platelets in the bone marrow

In hematology, essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a rare chronic blood cancer characterised by the overproduction of platelets (thrombocytes) by megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. It may, albeit rarely, develop into acute myeloid leukemia or myelofibrosis. It is one of the blood cancers wherein the bone marrow produces too many white or red blood cells, or platelets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hematopoietic stem cell</span> Stem cells that give rise to other blood cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the stem cells that give rise to other blood cells. This process is called haematopoiesis. In vertebrates, the first definitive HSCs arise from the ventral endothelial wall of the embryonic aorta within the (midgestational) aorta-gonad-mesonephros region, through a process known as endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. In adults, haematopoiesis occurs in the red bone marrow, in the core of most bones. The red bone marrow is derived from the layer of the embryo called the mesoderm.

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a rare bone marrow blood cancer. It is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm, a group of cancers in which there is activation and growth of mutated cells in the bone marrow. This is most often associated with a somatic mutation in the JAK2, CALR, or MPL genes. In PMF, the bony aspects of bone marrow are remodeled in a process called osteosclerosis; in addition, fibroblast secrete collagen and reticulin proteins that are collectively referred to as (fibrosis). These two pathological processes compromise the normal function of bone marrow resulting in decreased production of blood cells such as erythrocytes, granulocytes and megakaryocytes, the latter cells responsible for the production of platelets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myeloproliferative neoplasm</span> Overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of rare blood cancers in which excess red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets are produced in the bone marrow. Myelo refers to the bone marrow, proliferative describes the rapid growth of blood cells and neoplasm describes that growth as abnormal and uncontrolled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extramedullary hematopoiesis</span> Blood production outside of the bone marrow

Extramedullary hematopoiesis refers to hematopoiesis occurring outside of the medulla of the bone. It can be physiologic or pathologic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organoid</span> Miniaturized and simplified version of an organ

An organoid is a miniaturised and simplified version of an organ produced in vitro in three dimensions that mimics the key functional, structural, and biological complexity of that organ. It is derived from one or a few cells from a tissue, embryonic stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells, which can self-organize in three-dimensional culture owing to their self-renewal and differentiation capacities. The technique for growing organoids has rapidly improved since the early 2010s, and The Scientist named it one of the biggest scientific advancements of 2013. Scientists and engineers use organoids to study development and disease in the laboratory, for drug discovery and development in industry, personalized diagnostics and medicine, gene and cell therapies, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GATA1</span> Protein-coding gene in humans

GATA-binding factor 1 or GATA-1 is the founding member of the GATA family of transcription factors. This protein is widely expressed throughout vertebrate species. In humans and mice, it is encoded by the GATA1 and Gata1 genes, respectively. These genes are located on the X chromosome in both species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia</span> Blood marrow cancer originating in megakaryoblast cells

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is life-threatening leukemia in which malignant megakaryoblasts proliferate abnormally and injure various tissues. Megakaryoblasts are the most immature precursor cells in a platelet-forming lineage; they mature to promegakaryocytes and, ultimately, megakaryocytes which cells shed membrane-enclosed particles, i.e. platelets, into the circulation. Platelets are critical for the normal clotting of blood. While malignant megakaryoblasts usually are the predominant proliferating and tissue-damaging cells, their similarly malignant descendants, promegakaryocytes and megakaryocytes, are variable contributors to the malignancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrombopoiesis</span>

Thrombopoiesis is the formation of thrombocytes in the bone marrow. Thrombopoietin is the main regulator of thrombopoiesis. Thrombopoietin affects most aspects of the production of platelets. This includes self-renewal and expansion of hematopoietic stem cells, stimulating the increase of megakaryocyte progenitor cells, and supporting these cells so they mature to become platelet-producing cells. The process of Thrombopoiesis is caused by the breakdown of proplatelets. During the process almost all of the membranes, organelles, granules, and soluble macromolecules in the cytoplasm are being consumed. Apoptosis also plays a role in the final stages of thrombopoiesis by letting proplatelet processes to occur from the cytoskeleton of actin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megakaryocyte–erythroid progenitor cell</span>

Megakaryocyte–erythroid progenitor cells (MEPs), among other blood cells, are generated as a result of hematopoiesis, which occurs in the bone marrow. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) can differentiate into one of two progenitor cells: the common lymphoid progenitor and the common myeloid progenitor. MEPs derive from the common myeloid progenitor lineage. Megakaryocyte–erythroid progenitor cells must commit to becoming either platelet-producing megakaryocytes via megakaryopoiesis or erythrocyte-producing erythroblasts via erythropoiesis. Most of the blood cells produced in the bone marrow during hematopoiesis come from megakaryocyte–erythroid progenitor cells.

Allen Charles Edward Eaves is the co-founding Director of the Terry Fox Laboratory for Hematology/Oncology Research, which over a 25-year period (1981–2006) he grew into an internationally recognized centre for the study of leukemia and stem cell research. His own research on chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) has led the way to a new understanding of the disease. As Head of Hematology at the British Columbia Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia for 18 years (1985–2003) he engineered the building of one of the first and largest bone marrow transplant programs in Canada. In recognition of his research accomplishments and leadership in moving basic science discoveries in stem cell biology into the clinic, he was elected President of the International Society of Cellular Therapy (1995–1997), Treasurer of the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (1995–2002) and President of the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (1999–2000). In 2003 he was awarded the prestigious R. M. Taylor Medal by the Canadian Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit</span> Biological/medical alliance

The Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit is an alliance between the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and the Medical Faculties of the University of Heidelberg. Its primary aim is to uncover the molecular basis of disease and to speed the transformation of biomedical discoveries into personalized medicine strategies.

Bone marrow failure occurs in individuals who produce an insufficient amount of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. Red blood cells transport oxygen to be distributed throughout the body's tissue. White blood cells fight off infections that enter the body. Bone marrow progenitor cells known as megakaryocytes produce platelets, which trigger clotting, and thus help stop the blood flow when a wound occurs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tumor microenvironment</span> Surroundings of tumors including nearby cells and blood vessels

The tumor microenvironment is a complex ecosystem surrounding a tumor, composed of cancer cells, stromal tissue and the extracellular matrix. Mutual interaction between cancer cells and the different components of the tumor microenvironment support its growth and invasion in healthy tissues which correlates with tumor resistance to current treatments and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment is in constant change because of the tumor's ability to influence the microenvironment by releasing extracellular signals, promoting tumor angiogenesis and inducing peripheral immune tolerance, while the immune cells in the microenvironment can affect the growth and evolution of cancerous cells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haematopoietic system</span>

The haematopoietic system is the system in the body involved in the creation of the cells of blood.

Anjali Kusumbe is a British-Indian biologist who is the Head of the Tissue and Tumour Microenvironments Group at the Medical Research Council Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford. She was awarded the Royal Microscopical Society Award for Life Sciences in 2022.

Katya Ravid is a Biochemistry and Cell Biology professor at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Ravid received her Bachelor of Science, PhD, and doctoral degree from the Israel Institute of Technology. She then received her postdoctoral at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As of 2021, she has been the inaugural incumbent of the Barbara E. Corkey Professor of Medicine of Boston University. She's a member of the Boston University's Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute and the Boston University-Boston Medical Center (BU-BMC) Cancer Center.

References

  1. "Spin-out company Alethiomics launches". www.rdm.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  2. "Beth Psaila - Co-Founder at Alethiomics". THE ORG. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  3. "Bethan Psaila | New College". www.new.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  4. "Bethan Psaila". www.rdm.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  5. "Psaila Group: The tumour microenvironment in blood cancers". www.rdm.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  6. "Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship Awarded". www.imm.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  7. "Dr Beth Psaila wins L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award". www.imm.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  8. researchfeatures (2018-03-06). "Women in Science: L'Oréal and UNESCO partnership supports female scientists". Research Features. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  9. "Senior Fellowship awarded to Beth Psaila". www.rdm.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  10. Inc, P53 (2024-08-29). "Beth Psaila: Thrilled to receive a Senior Science and Innovation at Cancer Research UK Fellowship - OncoDaily". oncodaily.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. Li, Rong; Colombo, Michela; Wang, Guanlin; Rodriguez-Romera, Antonio; Benlabiod, Camelia; Jooss, Natalie J.; O’Sullivan, Jennifer; Brierley, Charlotte K.; Clark, Sally-Ann; Pérez Sáez, Juan M.; Fernández, Pedro Aragón; Schoof, Erwin M.; Porse, Bo; Meng, Yiran; Khan, Abdullah O. (2024-10-09). "A proinflammatory stem cell niche drives myelofibrosis through a targetable galectin-1 axis". Science Translational Medicine. 16 (768): eadj7552. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.adj7552. ISSN   1946-6234. PMC   7616771 . PMID   39383242.
  12. Olijnik, Aude-Anais; Rodriguez-Romera, Antonio; Wong, Zoë C.; Shen, Yuqi; Reyat, Jasmeet S.; Jooss, Natalie J.; Rayes, Julie; Psaila, Bethan; Khan, Abdullah O. (July 2024). "Generating human bone marrow organoids for disease modeling and drug discovery". Nature Protocols. 19 (7): 2117–2146. doi:10.1038/s41596-024-00971-7. ISSN   1750-2799. PMID   38532070.
  13. Khan, Abdullah O.; Rodriguez-Romera, Antonio; Reyat, Jasmeet S.; Olijnik, Aude-Anais; Colombo, Michela; Wang, Guanlin; Wen, Wei Xiong; Sousos, Nikolaos; Murphy, Lauren C.; Grygielska, Beata; Perrella, Gina; Mahony, Christopher B.; Ling, Rebecca E.; Elliott, Natalina E.; Karali, Christina Simoglou (2023-02-06). "Human Bone Marrow Organoids for Disease Modeling, Discovery, and Validation of Therapeutic Targets in Hematologic Malignancies". Cancer Discovery. 13 (2): 364–385. doi:10.1158/2159-8290.CD-22-0199. ISSN   2159-8274. PMC   9900323 . PMID   36351055.
  14. Psaila, Bethan; Wang, Guanlin; Rodriguez-Meira, Alba; Li, Rong; Heuston, Elisabeth F.; Murphy, Lauren; Yee, Daniel; Hitchcock, Ian S.; Sousos, Nikolaos; O’Sullivan, Jennifer; Anderson, Stacie; Senis, Yotis A.; Weinberg, Olga K.; Calicchio, Monica L.; Iskander, Deena (2020-05-07). "Single-Cell Analyses Reveal Megakaryocyte-Biased Hematopoiesis in Myelofibrosis and Identify Mutant Clone-Specific Targets". Molecular Cell. 78 (3): 477–492.e8. doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2020.04.008. ISSN   1097-2765. PMC   7217381 . PMID   32386542.