Dr Nasser Al-Shanti
Senior Lecturer
My profile
Biography
Academic and professional qualifications
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Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science (FIBMS), 2013
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PgCAP, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2012
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PhD In Molecular Immunology, University of Bristol, 2002, UK
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BSc, in Biomedical Sciences, Al-Quds University, Palestine, 1994
Examiner for PhD
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Examined 5 PhD students (internal)
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Examined 2 PhD students (external, Netherlands)
External collaborations:
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Bristol University (Bristol Heart Institute)
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Manchester University (Dr Adam Reid, Department of Plastic Surgery & Burns, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust)
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Manchester Clinical Neuroscience Centre (Dr Amina Chaouch, Salford Royal, )
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Danone Nutricia (Utrecht, the Netherlands)
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Center for research In Myology (Prof. Vincent Mouly), UMRS 974 Sorbonne Université-INSERM
Teaching
Supervision
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I have supervised 15 PhD students to completion (5 as Director of the Study and 10 as first supervisor)
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I have supervised 25 MSc students (23 bu taught and 2 by research)
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1 PhD student in 1st year (completion 2024)
Research outputs
I started my career as an immunologist looking at molecular mechanisms regulating immune cells proliferation and differentiation. After 3 years, I moved to a permanent position at MMU (Department of Life Sciences,) working on muscle stem cells aging and regeneration. As immunologist that sparked my interest in muscle stem cells regeneration and immune system interaction. I started my lab about 15 years ago, and have worked broadly on muscle stem cell regeneration and how that changes with age. I have started using an immune system secretion to promote muscle stem cell regeneration. My research group have established a novel line of research studying the cross-talk between the immune system and skeletal muscle stem cells ageing. More specifically, we are examining how the immune system secretions modulate muscle stem cells niche and regulate muscle stem cell regeneration, and what goes wrong during the ageing process to eventually lead to weakness. To enable us to investigate such interactions, I have developed a novel culture model to enable me to examine the effect of immune system on muscle regeneration. Recently, we have bioengineered a novel functional nerve-muscle co-culture platform to study neuromuscular junctions formation in ageing and diseases. The work that I lead forms the basis of my teaching at MMU, but of course it has also led to high impact scientific publications and presentations.
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Chapters in books
Al-Shanti, N. (2015) 'Flow Cytometry Enumeration of Hematopoietic and Progenitor Stem Cells: Identification and Quantification.' Handbook of Vascular Biology Techniques. Springer,
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Journal articles
Saini, J., Faroni, A., Reid, A.J., Mouly, V., Butler-Browne, G., Lightfoot, A.P., McPhee, J.S., Degens, H., Al-Shanti, N. (2021) 'Cross-talk between motor neurons and myotubes via endogenously secreted neural and muscular growth factors..' Physiological Reports, 9(8)
Saini, J., Faroni, A., Reid, A.J., Mamchaoui, K., Mouly, V., Butler-Browne, G., Lightfoot, A.P., McPhee, J.S., Degens, H., Al-Shanti, N. (2020) 'A Novel Bioengineered Functional Motor Unit Platform to Study Neuromuscular Interaction..' Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(10)
Thoma, A., Lyon, M., Al-Shanti, N., Nye, G., Cooper, R., Lightfoot, A. (2020) 'Eukarion-134 Attenuates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Human Skeletal Muscle Cells.' Antioxidants, 9(8)
Saini, J., Faroni, A., Abd Al Samid, M., Reid, A.J., Lightfoot, A.P., Mamchaoui, K., Mouly, V., Butler-Browne, G., McPhee, J.S., Degens, H., Al-Shanti, N. (2019) 'Simplified in vitro engineering of neuromuscular junctions between rat embryonic motoneurons and immortalized human skeletal muscle cells.' Stem Cells and Cloning : Advances and Applications, 12pp. 1-9.
Abd Al Samid, M., McPhee, J.S., Saini, J., McKay, T.R., Fitzpatrick, L.M., Mamchaoui, K., Bigot, A., Mouly, V., Butler-Browne, G., Al-Shanti, N. (2018) 'A functional human motor unit platform engineered from human embryonic stem cells and immortalized skeletal myoblasts..' Stem Cells and Cloning : Advances and Applications, 11pp. 85-93.
Al-Dabbagh, S., McPhee, J., Piasecki, M., Stewart, C., Al-Shanti, N. (2018) 'Soluble factors released from activated T-lymphocytes regulate C2C12 myoblast proliferation and cellular signalling, but effects are blunted in the elderly.' Journals of Gerontology, Series A, 74(9) pp. 1375-1385.
Bagley, L., Al-Shanti, N., Bradburn, S., Baig, O., Slevin, M., McPhee, J.S. (2018) 'Sex Comparison of Knee Extensor Size, Strength and Fatigue Adaptation to Sprint Interval Training.' Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(1) pp. 64-71.
Bradburn, S., McPhee, J., Bagley, L., Carroll, M., Slevin, M., Al-Shanti, N., Barnouin, Y., Hogrel, J.Y., Paasuke, M., Gapeyeva, H., Maier, A., Sipila, S., Narici, M., Robinson, A., Mann, D., Payton, A., Pendleton, N., Butler-Browne, G., Murgatroyd, C. (2018) 'Dysregulation of CXC motif ligand 10 during aging and association with cognitive performance.' Neurobiology of Aging, 63pp. 54-64.
Tosheva, L., Belkhair, S., Gackowski, M., Malic, S., Al-Shanti, N., Verran, J. (2017) 'Rapid screening of the antimicrobial efficacy of Ag zeolites.' Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 157pp. 254-260.
Matou-Nasri, S., Sharaf, H., Wang, Q., Almobadel, N., Rabhan, Z., Al-Eidi, H., Yahya, W.B., Trivilegio, T., Ali, R., Al-Shanti, N., Ahmed, N. (2017) 'Biological impact of advanced glycation endproducts on estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells..' Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1863(11) pp. 2808-2820.
Coulson, J., Bagley, L., Barnouin, Y., Bradburn, S., Butler-Browne, G., Gapeyeva, H., Hogrel, J.Y., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Maier, A.B., Meskers, C., Murgatroyd, C., Narici, M., Pääsuke, M., Sassano, L., Sipilä, S., AL-Shanti, N., Stenroth, L., Jones, D.A., McPhee, J.S. (2017) 'Circulating levels of dickkopf-1, osteoprotegerin and sclerostin are higher in old compared with young men and women and positively associated with whole-body bone mineral density in older adults.' Osteoporosis International, 28(9) pp. 2683-2689.
Saini, A., Sharples, A.P., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E. (2016) 'Omega-3 fatty acid EPA improves regenerative capacity of mouse skeletal muscle cells exposed to saturated fat and inflammation.' Biogerontology, 18(1) pp. 109-129.
Saini, J., McPhee, J.S., Al-Dabbagh, S., Stewart, C.E., Al-Shanti, N. (2016) 'Regenerative function of immune system: Modulation of muscle stem cells.' Ageing Research Reviews, 27pp. 67-76.
Al-Dabbagh, S., McPhee, J.S., Murgatroyd, C., Butler-Browne, G., Stewart, C.E., Al-Shanti, N. (2015) 'The lymphocyte secretome from young adults enhances skeletal muscle proliferation and migration, but effects are attenuated in the secretome of older adults..' Physiological Reports, 3
Okoro, T., Stewart, C., Al-Shanti, N., Lemmey, A., Maddison, P., Andrew, J.G. (2015) 'Objective function, lean mass, and associated genetic adaptations of the operated leg following total hip arthroplasty.' Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, 18(2)
Patel, H.P., Al-Shanti, N., Davies, L.C., Barton, S.J., Grounds, M.D., Tellam, R.L., Stewart, C.E., Cooper, C., Sayer, A.A. (2014) 'Lean Mass, Muscle Strength and Gene Expression in Community Dwelling Older Men: Findings from the Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study (HSS).' Calcified Tissue International, 95(4) pp. 308-316.
Al-Dabbag, S., McPhee, J., Murgatroyd, C., Stewart, C., Al-Shanti, N. (2014) 'The immune environment and skeletal muscle regeneration.' ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, 211
Patel, H.P., Al-Shanti, N., Davies, L.C., Barton, S.J., Grounds, M.D., Tellam, R.L., Stewart, C.E., Cooper, C., Sayer, A.A. (2014) 'LEAN MASS, MUSCLE STRENGTH AND GENE EXPRESSION IN COMMUNITY DWELLING OLDER MEN.' AGE AND AGEING, 43
Al-Shanti, N., Durcan, P., Al-Dabbagh, S., Dimchev, G.A., Stewart, C.E. (2014) 'Activated lymphocytes secretome inhibits differentiation and induces proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts.' Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 33(1) pp. 117-128.
Durcan, P.J., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E. (2013) 'Identification and characterization of novel Kirrel isoform during myogenesis.' Physiological Reports, 1(3)
Sharples, A.P., Al-Shanti, N., Hughes, D.C., Lewis, M.P., Stewart, C.E. (2013) 'The role of insulin-like-growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) in the regulation of myoblast differentiation and hypertrophy.' Growth Hormone and IGF Research, 23(3) pp. 53-61.
Sharples, A.P., Al-Shanti, N., Hughes, D.C., Lewis, M.P., Stewart, C.E. (2013) 'The role of insulin-like-growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) in the regulation of myoblast differentiation and hypertrophy..' Growth Horm IGF Res, 23(3) pp. 53-61.
Dimchev, G.A., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E. (2013) 'Phospho-tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor Bpv(Hopic) enhances C2C12 myoblast migration in vitro. Requirement of PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways..' J Muscle Res Cell Motil, 34(2) pp. 125-136.
Okoro, T., Stewart, C., Al-Shanti, N., Lemmey, A., Maddison, P., Andrew, J.G. (2013) 'Does muscle inflammation influence recovery of muscle strength and function in patients undergoing total hip replacement?.' The Lancet, 381pp. S82-S82.
Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E. (2012) 'Inhibitory effects of IL-6 on IGF-1 activity in skeletal myoblasts could be mediated by the activation of SOCS-3..' J Cell Biochem, 113(3) pp. 923-933.
Saini, A., Al-Shanti, N., Sharples, A.P., Stewart, C.E. (2012) 'Sirtuin 1 regulates skeletal myoblast survival and enhances differentiation in the presence of resveratrol..' Exp Physiol, 97(3) pp. 400-418.
Sharples, A.P., Al-Shanti, N., Lewis, M.P., Stewart, C.E. (2011) 'Reduction of myoblast differentiation following multiple population doublings in mouse C2 C12 cells: a model to investigate ageing?.' J Cell Biochem, 112(12) pp. 3773-3785.
Patel, H.P., Al-Shanti, N., Barton, S.J., Stewart, C.E., Grounds, M.D., Tellam, R.L., Cooper, C., Sayer, A.A. (2011) 'Developmental Influences on Skeletal Muscle Gene Expression in Older Men: Findings from the Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study.' JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE, 2pp. S130-S130.
Al-Shanti, N., Faulkner, S.H., Saini, A., Loram, I., Stewart, C.E. (2011) 'A semi-automated programme for tracking myoblast migration following mechanical damage: Manipulation by chemical inhibitors.' Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 27(6) pp. 625-636.
Sharples, A.P., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E. (2010) 'C2 and C2C12 murine skeletal myoblast models of atrophic and hypertrophic potential: relevance to disease and ageing?.' J Cell Physiol, 225(1) pp. 240-250.
Saini, A., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C. (2010) 'C2 skeletal myoblast survival, death, proliferation and differentiation: regulation by Adra1d..' Cell Physiol Biochem, 25(2-3) pp. 253-262.
Al-Shanti, N., Saini, A., Stewart, C.E. (2009) 'Two-Step versus One-Step RNA-to-CT 2-Step and One-Step RNA-to-CT 1-Step: validity, sensitivity, and efficiency..' J Biomol Tech, 20(3) pp. 172-179.
Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E. (2009) 'Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent transcriptional pathways: potential mediators of skeletal muscle growth and development..' Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc, 84(4) pp. 637-652.
Saini, A., Faulkner, S., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C. (2009) 'Powerful signals for weak muscles..' Ageing Res Rev, 8(4) pp. 251-267.
Saini, A., Al-Shanti, N., Faulkner, S.H., Stewart, C.E. (2008) 'Pro- and anti-apoptotic roles for IGF-I in TNF-α-induced apoptosis: A MAP kinase mediated mechanism.' Growth Factors, 26(5) pp. 239-253.
Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E. (2008) 'PD98059 enhances C2 myoblast differentiation through p38 MAPK activation: a novel role for PD98059..' J Endocrinol, 198(1) pp. 243-252.
Al-Shanti, N., Saini, A., Faulkner, S.H., Stewart, C.E. (2008) 'Beneficial synergistic interactions of TNF-α and IL-6 in C2 skeletal myoblasts - Potential cross-talk with IGF system.' Growth Factors, 26(2) pp. 61-73.
Saini, A., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E.H. (2007) 'Waste management - Cytokines, growth factors and cachexia (vol 17, pg 475, 2006).' CYTOKINE & GROWTH FACTOR REVIEWS, 18(3-4) pp. 345-345.
Saini, A., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E.H. (2007) 'Corrigendum to "Waste management-Cytokines, growth factors and cachexia" [Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 17 (2006) 475-486] (DOI:10.1016/j.cytogfr.2006.09.006).' Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews, 18(3-4)
Al-Shanti, N., Aldahoudi, Z. (2007) 'Human purified CD8+ T cells: Ex vivo expansion model to generate a maximum yield of functional cytotoxic cells..' Immunol Invest, 36(1) pp. 85-104.
Saini, A., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C.E. (2006) 'Waste management - cytokines, growth factors and cachexia..' Cytokine Growth Factor Rev, 17(6) pp. 475-486.
Al-Shanti, N., Aldahoodi, Z. (2006) 'Inhibition of alpha nascent polypeptide associated complex protein may induce proliferation, differentiation and enhance the cytotoxic activity of human CD8+ T cells..' J Clin Immunol, 26(5) pp. 457-464.
Al-Shanti, N., Steward, C.G., Garland, R.J., Rowbottom, A.W. (2004) 'Investigation of alpha nascent polypeptide-associated complex functions in a human CD8(+) T cell ex vivo expansion model using antisense oligonucleotides..' Immunology, 112(3) pp. 397-403.
Al-Shanti, N.A., Steward, C.G., Garland, R.J. (2003) 'Optimization of functional efficacy of phosphorothioate-modified oligonucleotides in a human CD8+ T-cell Ex Vivo expansion model.' Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 58(4) pp. 462-470.
Garland, R.J., El-Shanti N, , Rowbottom, A. (2002) 'Human CD8+ CTL recognition and in vitro lysis of herpes simplex virus-infected cells by a non-MHC restricted mechanism..' Scand J Immunol., 55((1))
Garland, R.J., El-Shanti, N., West, S.E., Hancock, J.P., Goulden, N.J., Steward, C.G., Rowbottom, A.W. (2002) 'Human CD8(+) CTL recognition and in vitro lysis of herpes simplex virus-infected cells by a non-MHC restricted mechanism.' SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, 55(1) pp. 61-69.
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Conference papers
Lyon, M., Al-Shanti, N., Lightfoot, A.P., Cooper, R. (2018) 'The antioxidant EUK-134 mitigates ER stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in human skeletal muscle cells [Abstract].' 57. 1/5/2018 - 3/5/2018. Oxford University Press (OUP),
Al-Shanti, N. (2012) 'Does muscle inflammation affect pain and function in patients with hip osteoarthritis?.' In British Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference,. London, UK;, 9/2012 -
Al-Shanti, N. (2012) 'Relationship between molecular markers of muscle inflammation and muscle strength in patients undergoing total hip replacement..' In British Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference. London, UK, 9/2012 -
Al-Shanti, N., Suleiman, M.S. (2012) 'Cellular signalling in the diseased left ventricle influences cellular signalling in the “normal “right ventricle of patients with aortic stenosis or ischaemic disease.' In Frontiers in CardioVascular Biology. Apr 2012 , London, 4/2012 -
Al-Shanti, N. (2012) 'Increased gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, pro-survival and apoptosis proteins in diseased ventricle of coronary heart disease patients..' In Frontiers in CardioVascular Biology. London, UK, 4/2012 -
Hancock, M., Venturini, A., Al-Shanti, N., Stewart, C., Ascione, R., Angelini, G., Suleiman, M.S. (2012) 'Increased expression of antioxidant enzymes, pro-survival and apoptosis genes in diseased ventricle of coronary heart disease patients.' In 2nd Congress of the European-Society-of-Cardiology Council on Basic Cardiovascular Science - Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biology. 93. London, ENGLAND, 30/3/2012 - 1/4/2012. OXFORD UNIV PRESS, pp. S110-S110.
Al-Shanti, N., Hancock, M., Venturini, A., Stewart, C., Ascione, R., Angelini, G., Suleiman, M.S. (2012) 'Cellular signalling in the diseased left ventricle influences cellular signalling in the non-diseased right ventricle of patients with aortic stenosis or ischaemic disease.' In 2nd Congress of the European-Society-of-Cardiology Council on Basic Cardiovascular Science - Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biology. 93. London, ENGLAND, 30/3/2012 - 1/4/2012. OXFORD UNIV PRESS, pp. S23-S23.
Al-Shanti, N. (2012) 'Molecular adaptation of skeletal muscle in post-surgical osteoarthritis patients: markers of inflammation, hypertrophy, atrophy and lipid metabolism.' In European College of Sports Science (ECSS) Annual Congress. Bruges, Belgium, 2012 - 2012.
Al-Shanti, N., Lemmey,, A. (2012) 'Effect of muscle biopsy site on gene expression in patients undergoing total hip replacement for osteoarthritis.' In European College of Sports Science (ECSS) Annual Congress.
Al-Shanti, N., Reeves, N. (2012) 'Effects of moderate exercise on circulating haematopoietic stem cells.' In North West Stem cell Research meeting. Nottingham University, UK, 3/12/2012 -
Al-Shanti, N. (2011) 'Gene expression profiles in the diseased left ventricle influences cellular signalling in the “normal “right ventricle of patients with aortic stenosis..' In 3rd Annual International Congress of Cardiology (ICC),. China, 12/2011 -
Al-Shanti, N., Patel, H.P. (2011) 'Developmental influences on skeletal muscle gene expression in older men: findings from the Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study..' In Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHAD) conference, Oregon, USA. Oregon, USA, 9/2011 -
Al-Shanti, N., Durcan, P.J. (2011) 'Identification and expression characterisation of novel Kirrel isoform during myogenesis.' In MYOAGE Workshop Acaya (Italy),. Acaya (Italy),, 2011 -
Al-Shanti, N. (2011) 'Inhibition of C2C12 myoblast differentiation by serial passaging or treatment with the phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor BpV(Hopic), differentially affects the expression of Spire1, Spire2 and Formin1, Formin2 genes.' In MYOAGE Workshop Acaya (Italy). Acaya (Italy), 2011 -
Al-Shanti, N. (2010) 'Differential effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and palmitate on tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF1) action in murine skeletal muscle cells..' In Society for Endocrinology BES. Manchester, UK, 2010 -