Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Statement
My urology research programmes bring together cell physiology and molecular biology disciplines to understand the complex cellular signalling systems which underpin normal bladder function and become dysregulated in bladder disease.
We are also investigating the role of ion channels in the progression of urological cancers including bladder and prostate.
Research Interests
I obtained my PhD for research into ion channels on smooth muscle cells from the lower urinary tract. This generated my interest in the cellular basis of spontaneous activity in the bladder and set the focus of my independent research career which was marked by a New Investigator Award from BBSRC to study bladder interstitial cells. This work was carried out in the Centre for Biophotonics in the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and formed the foundation for my application to the Wellcome Trust for a University Award (Senior Research Fellowship) in Queen's University Belfast. This award enabled the establishment of my research group in the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology.
As co-PI in the first European Union funded consortium to study urinary incontinence ("INComb" FP7 grant), our group made a decisive contribution to the basic cellular mechanisms underlying a condition that affects an estimated 60 million people in Europe and for which there are few effective therapies.
Our MRC-funded research on bladder toxicity as an adverse effect of radiation therapy studied the molecular mechanisms driving typical lower urinary tract symptoms of urgency, urinary frequency, nocturia and voiding dysfunction that develop during treatment. This translational programme includes a clinical research trial in prostate cancer patients to identify predictive biomarkers of late radiation bladder toxicity.
My interdisciplinary programme on ion channels and cancer exploits electrophysiology, molecular pathology, cell and molecular oncology and biomarker discovery to advance our knowledge of tumour biology.
Other
Key Words
Urinary incontinence; urinary bladder; radiation therapy; smooth muscle; interstitial cells; Ca2+-signalling; electrophysiology; confocal microscopy; urothelial cancer; prostate cancer.
Teaching
Degree/Programme | Role/Module |
Medicine |
Lectures C25 Fundamentals of Clinical Science |
Biomedical Science and Human Biology |
Lectures/Tutorials/Research Training Molecular Markers of Disease Clinical Biochemistry Research project and dissertation |
MSc (Res) Cancer Medicine MSc (Res) Oncology Drug Discovery |
Module coordinator Research project and dissertation |
USA Placement Programme |
Programme Coordinator |
Other
Fellowships
We are willing to host and support Fellowship applications for PhD or postdoctoral training.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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R2459CNR: Clinical Research Fellowship in Radiotherapy
O'Sullivan, J., Cole, A., McCloskey, K. & Prise, K.
05/03/2018 → …
Project: Research
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R6304CNR: Combating incontinence, from basic science to clinical practice
01/08/2008 → …
Project: Research
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R1486CNR: Mechanisms of radiation-induced bladder toxicity: Correlation of urinary biomarkers with bladder pathophysiology
McCloskey, K., O'Sullivan, J. & Prise, K.
15/12/2014 → 29/10/2018
Project: Research
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CACNA1D overexpression and voltage‑gated calcium channels in prostate cancer during androgen deprivation
McKerr, N., Mohd-Sarip, A., Dorrian, H., Breen, C., James, J. A., McQuaid, S., Mills, I. G. & McCloskey, K. D., 22 Mar 2023, In: Nature Scientific Reports. 13, 4683.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile9 Downloads (Pure) -
Key role for Kv11.1 (ether-a-go-go related gene) channels in rat bladder contractility
Barrese, V., Wehbe, Z., Linden, A., McDowell, S., Forrester, E., Povstyan, O., McCloskey, K. D. & Greenwood, I. A., 07 Feb 2023, In: Physiological reports. 11, 3, e15583.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile160 Downloads (Pure) -
Neural control and cell biology
McCloskey, K., Birder, L., Fry, C. H., Hashitani, H., Kanai, A. J., Lovick, T., Clarkson, B., Feng, B., Gebhart, J., Griffiths, D., Mitsui, T., Chess-Williams, R. & Takeda, M., 2023, Incontinence. Cardozo, L., Rovner, E., Wagg, A., Wein, A. & Abrams, P. (eds.). 7 ed. International Continence Society, p. 131-246Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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New mechanistic and therapeutic insights into purified phospholipase A2 from Pseudechis australis snake venom - a novel anticancer agent for the treatment of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Boncan, J., Hamilton, J., McCloskey, K. & Mills, K., 15 Nov 2022, In: Blood. 140, Supplement 1, p. 3120-3121Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting abstract › peer-review
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Purified phospholipase A2 from Pseudechis australis snake venom - a novel anticancer agent for the treatment of precursor-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Boncan, J., Brown, A., McCloskey, K. & Mills, K., 31 Mar 2022, In: British Journal of Haematology. 197, S1, BSH22-PO11.Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting abstract › peer-review
Open Access
Prizes
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Sir Robin MacLellan Prize
McCloskey, Karen (Recipient), 2002
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Wellcome Trust Univeristy Award (Senior Research Fellowship)
McCloskey, Karen (Recipient), 2004
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day: PGJCCR in partnership with QGI
Ian Overton (Organiser), Helen Coleman (Invited speaker), Emma Allott (Invited speaker), Kelsey McCulloch (Invited speaker), Karen McCloskey (Contributor) & Kerrie-Ann Forsythe (Contributor)
11 Oct 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Radiation Research Society (External organisation)
Karen McCloskey (Member)
2016 → …Activity: Membership types › Membership of external research organisation
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American Association for Cancer Research Foundation (External organisation)
Karen McCloskey (Member)
2016 → …Activity: Membership types › Membership of external research organisation
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The Pharmacological Society (External organisation)
Karen McCloskey (Member)
2009 → …Activity: Membership types › Membership of external research organisation
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British Journal of Pharmacology (Journal)
Karen McCloskey (Editor)
2009 → 2017Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity
Press/Media
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Ada Lovelace Day 2019
Ian Overton, Karen McCloskey & Seedevi Senevirathne
08/10/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities