MRC Clinical Research Training Fellow
Middle ear development
Since 2003 the Tucker Laboratory has been researching how the middle ear forms during normal development and what goes wrong in cases of conductive hearing loss. This work is currently funded by The Medical Research Council (MRC) & Wellcome Trust (Senior Investigator Award). In addition, the laboratory has been investigating the evolution of the unique mammalian middle ear using a comparison of placental, marsupial and monotreme mammals.
Most recently, we have been studying problems associated with cavitation of the middle ear and the genetics behind middle ear inflammation (Otitis Media). The Tucker Laboratory has been investigating mice that have a genetic disposition to OM, to stimulate novel treatments and preventative methods. In addition we have been investigating how structures in the middle ear repair after injury. Our interest in the middle ear has led to collaborations with the ear surgeons and radiologists at St Thomas’ Hospital to understand the key clinically driven questions, funded by a grant from Action on Hearing Loss.
Tooth development and replacement
The laboratory is interested in the genes and signalling interactions involved in controlling tooth shape, number and replacement capability. Currently, the lab is concentrating on A) how the tooth is influenced by the surrounding tissues, B) how a second generation of teeth is created, C) how root morphology is controlled and D) the relationship between the dentition and neighbouring structures in the mouth. The lab has pioneered the use of non-model organisms to study tooth development and towards this aim established a snake colony at the Guy’s site in 2003.
Cranial Gland development
The lab is interested in the development of cranial glands, including salivary glands, nasal glands and respiratory submucosal glands. We have been concentrating on the role of the Fibroblast Growth Factor signalling pathway and how interactions between the mesenchyme, epithelium, and nerves shape the developing gland and control stem/progenitor cell populations.
Current grants:
- Wellcome Trust Multi user equipment grant,
Grant holders: PI: Mathias Gautel, Co-PIs: Georgina Ellison, Abigail Tucker, Jeremy Green, Robert Knight, Rebecca Oakey, Julian Ochala, Peter Zammit, Catherine Shanahan, Martin Meyer.
Cellular and sub-cellular sampling using laser capture micro dissection to understand disease mechanisms.
£198,000, 01/09/2018-31/08/2023. Role Co-PI.
- Medical Research Council Project grant. Grant holder: PI Abigail Tucker
Understanding and enhancing repair of the tympanic membrane.
£427,580. 01/07/2018-30/06/2021. Role: PI.
- GACR (Czech Science Foundation) Project grant.
Grant holders: PI Abigail Tucker, Co-PI Marcela Buchtova.
Fate decisions in the dental placode: an investigation into the signaling factors that determine cell fate decisions in the early oral cavity.
8300,000Kr (£287,000) 1/1/2018-30/12/2020. Role PI
- Action on Hearing Loss PhD Studentship Grant holder: Abigail Tucker
An investigation of the development of the stapes, annular ligament and otosclerosis
£79,500.00 1/10/2017 - 30/09/2020, Role Supervisor
- Wellcome Trust Multiuser equipment grant
Grant holders: PI: Abigail Tucker, Co-PIs: Jeremy Green, Fiona Watt, Robert Knight, Chris Healy, Eileen Gentleman, Karen Liu, Paul Sharpe
High resolution microCT
£262,937.00 1/09/2016 - 31/08/2021 Role PI
- Medical Research Council Clinical Training Fellowship
Grant holders: Fellow Mona Mozaffari, Supervisor: Tucker
Investigating the etiology of cholesteatoma
£230,299.00 1/10/2017 - 30/09/2020. Role supervisor
- Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Award. Grant holder: Tucker
Consequences of the dual origin of the middle ear epithelium on function
£836,415.00 16/06/2014 - 26/05/2020, Role PI
Tooth Morphogenesis and Differentiation conference
The Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative biology is organising the 13th International Tooth Morphogenesis and Differentiation (TMD) conference to be held in Oxford the first week of September 2019.
Tooth Morphogenesis and Differentiation conference