Dr Nik Hodges PhD

BSc, MSc, PhD

After graduating from Nottingham in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry I studied for an MSc and then a PhD in Toxicology in the laboratory of Professor Kevin Chipman where I worked on the rodent tumour promoter phenobarbitol. This is where I first became interested in mechanisms of cellular oxidative stress. After post-doctoral positions in Occupational Health (working on the genotoxic carcinogen hexavalent chromium) and then in the School of Biosciences (working on secondary genotoxicity) as an AstraZeneca funded research fellowship I am now a lecturer in Toxicology.

I lecture on the Bio304 final year undergraduate module, and extensively on the MSc/MRes Toxicology programmes as well as teaching Toxicology more widely at Masters level (e.g. Occupational Health Masters course). I am the module organiser for modules 3 and 4 of the MSc Toxicology course and course director for the MRes Molecular Mechanistic Toxicology course.

For a list of possible PhD projects offered by Dr Hodges www.findaphd.com/search/customlink.asp?inst=birm-Biol&supersurname=Hodges

Research Theme within School of Biosciences: Molecular Cell Biology and Signalling

We are interested in the cellular consequences of pertubation of redox homeostasis both by chemical and biological mechanisms.

OGG1: The DNA repair protein OGG1 is critical in the repair of the oxidatively damaged base 8 oxo dG which if not removed before DNA replication mispairs with adenine and thymine causing point mutations. We are interested in the common ser326cys polymorphism in human OGG1 and are studying its activity and location compared to the “normal” protein. Work in our lab using genetically engineered cell lines has shown that the variant form of the protein is repair deficient particularly under conditions of cellular oxidative stress when it is needed most and we are currently studying the mechanistic basis for this observation.

Cellular oxidative stress: We are using a number of experimental approaches to study the consequences of intracellular oxidative stress: These include treatment with pro-oxidants, tungsten alloys, engineered nanoparticles, depletion of the protective factor glutathione and over-expression of cytochrome P450s for which there is evidence that once “un-coupled” for example by futile substrates like polychlorinated chemicals these enzyme systems can generate substantial level of toxic free radicals in cells. We are particularly interested in oxidative DNA damage through so called “secondary genotoxicity” and the existence of potential thresholds of effect in relation to these mechanisms of toxicity.

Cytoglobin: We are interested in cytoglobin a poorly understood homologue of haemoglobin with no known function but which may be involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen species as well as having signalling and oxygen transporter functions in a wide range of non muscle tissues especially those of a fibroblast lineage. Through collaboration with AstraZeneca were are studying the role of cytoglobin in fibrotic disease and as a potential target for drug toxicity. The cytoglobin gene also maps to a genetic disease called tylosis with oesphageal cancer (TOC) and in collaboration with The University of Liverpool we are working on  the genetic regulation of this gene and trying to determine its molecular function.

Iron cylinders: In collaboration with Professors Mike Hannon and Kevin Chipman we are investigating the cellular properties of iron and related cylinders which have potent cytostatic effects in a broad range of cell lines. You can read more about these exciting molecules on the homepage of Professor Mike Hannon http://www.chem.bham.ac.uk/staff/hannon.shtml.

Member of the BTS Educational Sub committee, and local BTS representative to “champion” toxicology at The University of Birmingham. I also co-organise CPD courses in Advanced Toxicology for industry in collaboration with The University of Surrey. Consultancies in the area of toxicological risk assessment (e.g. Monsanto, VetXX, DFID).