Dr Loanna Myrtziou Kanaki
Lecturer
Biography
Ioanna is a biochemist and biotechnologist with a broad range of research interests expanding from oxidative stress and nitric oxide signalling to the effects of microgravity on the musculoskeletal system. She is interested in science communication and widening participation in medical and STEM education as well as SEN teaching in HE. Ioanna’s main research interests focus on the musculoskeletal system and redox/NO signalling. Through a systemic approach, using tools as proteomics and transcriptomics she tries to shed light on the underlying mechanisms behind musculoskeletal pathologies as well as nutritional programming and its effect on musculoskeletal development. Within Chester Medical School Ioanna is working towards developing understanding on a new field of research focused on Space Medicine. She is looking into how microgravity effects cells, organs and systems with special interest in the musculoskeletal system. In parallel, she is interested in contributing to the development of what is currently known as Exploration Community, professionals involved in space exploration missions.
Teaching and Supervision
Ioanna teaches biochemistry, enzymology, biochemical laboratory techniques and science communication as well as data analysis and interpretation across all levels within the Chester Medical School She is Module Leader for MD5017, MD6042 and MD7002 She delivers sessions for MD4010, MD4011, MD5027/34, MD6029 and MD7003
Research and Knowledge Exchange
Ioanna’s PhD research focused on oxidative stress and enzymes of the antioxidative mechanism. It involved transient expression of recombinant enzymes, subcellular localisation of proteins with the use of confocal microscopy, biochemical analysis and S-nitrosylation patterns with mass spectroscopy. Ioanna spent a year in industry with Gentronix Ltd at Alderley Park, working on a new bioengineered product to detect genotoxicity in pharmaceuticals, nutritional and cosmetic products. During her Post-doc at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research in Manchester, she worked on the musculoskeletal system looking into the efficiency of a novel protein-based treatment against osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. She used 3D chondrocyte cell cultures, primary and differentiated osteoblasts and osteoclasts as models and monitored responses at expressional level with NGS and functional level by staining for in vitro produced calcified matrix or pits on dentine slices. Another project Ioanna was involved in with the University of Liverpool was looking into the effect of protein intake on muscle and bone formation in offspring using imaging techniques to study bone density and architecture, muscle fibre structure and NGS analysis for the discovery of new pathways and targets.