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Phone:: (023) 8059 2985
Email:: S.K.Elias@soton.ac.uk

Dr Salah Elias BSc, MRes, PhD

Lecturer in Epithelial Cell Biology, Principal Investigator (Mammary Epithelial Morphogenesis)

Dr Salah Elias joined the School of Biological Sciences in May 2017 as Lecturer in Epithelial Cell Biology. His laboratory aims to understand the mechanisms of oriented cell divisions in the normal mammary epithelium to discover cell division defects that are unique to breast cancer cells.

Career History

2017-present: Lecturer in Epithelial Cell Biology. School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.
2014-2017: Postdoctoral Research Associate. Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, UK.
2010-2014: Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Curie Institute, Paris, France.

Academic Qualifications

2018: Fellow of The Higher Education Academy. University of Southampton, UK.
2010: PhD in Cell Biology and Neurobiology. University of Rouen, France.
2006: MRes in Cell Biology and Physiology. University of Rouen, France.
2004: BSc in Cell Biology and Physiology. University of Rouen, France

Research

Publications

Teaching

Contributions

Contact

Research interests

Cancer can arise from the normal self-renewing stem cell that drives epithelial tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis. Our laboratory aims to understand oriented cell division (OCD) in the normal mammary epithelium to discover cell division defects that are unique to breast cancer cells. We are particularly interested in how regulation of OCD in the developing mammary gland influences epithelial differentiation and architecture, with a focus on addressing questions of 1) how mitotic spindle dynamics and orientation, cell polarity and chromosome segregation are controlled in the mammary epithelium; 2) how these mechanisms act together to influence cell fate and behaviour; 3) and how their dysregulation leads to malignant transformation.

We take a range of approaches including single-cell genetic lineage tracing in genetically engineered mice in conjunction with high-resolution 3D imaging and mathematical/computational modelling; mammary organoids; biochemistry and live cell imaging; proteomics; and next generation sequencing.

We also collaborate with breast cancer scientists to use primary human tissue samples from patients in order to validate our findings and investigate potential therapeutic targets to reduce the incidence or pathogenicity of breast cancer.

Lab Members

Farahnaz Golestan Hashemi - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Joseph M Pally - Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Maria Fankhaenel - PhD Student
Manal Mosa Hosawi - PhD Student
Camilla Nightingale - PhD Student
Noorzia Tahiri - MSc Student
Nikita Cray - MSc Student

Funding

Medical Research Council
Wellcome Trust
The Royal Society
The Gerald Kerkut Charitable Trust
Institute for Life Sciences

PhD supervision

Maria Fankhaenel: The genetics and developmental biology of cell division in mammary stem cells, Gerald Kerkut Charitable Trust and Biological Sciences funding.

Manal Mosa Hosawi: Investigating novel mechanisms bridging cell polarity, spindle orientation and chromosome dynamics in mitotic mammary epithelial cells, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education

Camilla Nightingale: Mathematical/computational modelling of breast stem cell lineage data: exploring the dynamic contribution of asymmetric cell divisions to the identity of mammary stem cell progeny, Institute for Life Sciences & School of Mathematics.

Recent tweets from Salah Elias

RT @mikegalsworthy: The slogan reads: “The public demand a live debate. Science is NOT science without discussion.” This is why science h…

@theeliaslab - Sat 24 Jul

Ready for a relaxing weekend https://t.co/UCrfZkty0x

@theeliaslab - Sat 24 Jul

RT @Roubinet31: Glad to share this work on the beautiful process of Nuclear Division! Many thanks to @BaumBuzz, @EM__Ian for the very chall…

@theeliaslab - Thu 22 Jul

Research group

Developmental Biology

Affiliate research groups

Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Institute for Life Sciences (IfLS), Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration

Research project(s)

Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of asymmetric cell divisions in the adult mammary epithelium

Do oriented divisions dictate fate decisions in mammary stem cells?

The genetics and developmental biology of cell division in mammary stem cells

Mathematical/computational modelling of breast stem cell lineage data: exploring the dynamic contribution of asymmetric cell divisions to the identity of mammary stem cell progeny

Investigating novel mechanisms bridging cell polarity, spindle orientation and chromosome dynamics in mitotic mammary epithelial cells

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Articles

Module coordinator

BIOL2045 Vertebrate Development
BIOL6075 Biological Optical Imaging

Lecturer

BIOL2045 Vertebrate Development
BIOL3022 Cell Signalling in Health and Disease
BIOL6025 Cellular and Genetic Aspects of Animal Development
MEDI6223 Stem Cells, Development & Regenerative Medicine

Project supervisor

BIOL6013 Advanced Research Project
BIOL3034 Laboratory Research Project
BIOL3032 Literature-based Research Project

Tutor

BIOL1020 Core Skills in the Life Sciences

Chair: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee for School of Biological Sciences (EDIC)
Member: University of Southampton Senate: Representative of the School of Biological Sciences
Member: The Royal Society's International Exchange Committee
Member: European Network for Breast Development and Cancer
Member: British Society for Developmental Biology
Member: British Society for Cell Biology

Dr Salah Elias
School of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Life Sciences Building 85
University of Southampton
Highfield Campus
Southampton
SO17 1BJ

Room Number: 85/6059

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