Dr Joseph Bird

Joseph is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Senior Lecturer in Biology of Disease. He has extensive research experience in cell biology, biochemistry and biological imaging. His research interests encompass skeletal disorders, ageing mechanisms and vascular disease.

[email protected]

View Joseph's ResearchGate profile

Background

Joseph obtained his PhD at the Strangeways Research Laboratory in Cambridge studying the cellular mechanisms regulating connective tissue extracellular matrix turnover. His interests in clinical and veterinary arthritides were pursued further at the Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology and the Royal Veterinary College.

At the University of Brighton he extended his research interests to include the fundamental mechanisms of ageing and how these might apply to skeletal tissue ageing and disease.

More recently, Joseph investigated the development of inflammation and ectopic mineralisation in vascular disease at the University of Cambridge before moving to the University of Bradford to teach Biomedical Science. Joseph has been teaching at ARU since February 2017 and is a member of the Biomedical Research Group.

Joseph has given talks at international and national conferences and is an invited reviewer for a number of academic journals, research councils and charities. He has a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice and has been made a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Research interests

• Inflammation and mineralisation associated with cardiovascular disease
• Nitric oxide biology 
• Skeletal diseases
• Ageing mechanisms and disorders

Areas of research supervision

Joseph is currently supervising a PhD on the regulation of bone cell metabolism by endocrine disrupting hormones and has supervised several other research degrees including PhDs, an MPhil and a Veterinary Clinical Training Scholarship.

Joseph welcomes enquiries from prospective postgraduate students in the areas of his research interests.

Teaching

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
Module Leader for Principles of Pathology
Module Leader for Specialist Topics in Biomedical Science
Contributes to a number of modules

Qualifications

PG Cert in Higher Education Practice - University of Bradford
PhD Physiology - Strangeways Research Laboratory, Cambridge
BSc (Hons) in Applied Biochemistry - Liverpool Polytechnic

Memberships, editorial boards

Fellow, Higher Education Academy

Member, European Society of Cardiology, British Society for Cell Biology

Reviewer for the following journals: Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, Equine Veterinary Journal, Experimental Cell Research, Rheumatology (Oxford), Research in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Dermatology, Arthritis and Rheumatism, Nitric Oxide: Chemistry and Biology

Reviewer for the following research councils and charities: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Medical Research Council, Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity, Horse Trust, Horserace Betting Levy Board.

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

Principle investigator, The Barbara Price Charitable Trust. 2018, £1,500 (research project)

Principle investigator, The Edith Florence Spencer Memorial Trust. 201, £6,000 (research project)

Co-investigator, The Evelyn Trust Research Grant. Clatworthy MR, Warburton EA and Bird JLE. 2013-2015, £53,181.20 (MPhil project)

Co-investigator, Home of Rest for Horses. May S, Bayliss MT and Bird JLE. 2000-2003, £138,457 (Project grant) 

Principle investigator, Royal Veterinary College Research and External Funding Committee. Bird JLE. 1998, £1,990.85 (Priming grant)

Selected recent publications

Teng, Z., Wang, S., Tokgoz, A., Taviani, V., Bird, J.L.E., Sadat, U., Huang, Y., Patterson, A.J., Figg, N., Graves, M.J., Gillard, J.H., 2021. Study on the association of wall shear stress and vessel structural stress with atherosclerosis initialization: an experimental animal study. Atherosclerosis, 320, pp. 38-46. doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.01.017

Ibrahim B, Sheerin AN, Jennert-Burston K, Bird JLE, Massala MV, Illsley, M, James SE, Faragher RGA., 2016. Absence of premature senescence in Werner's syndrome keratinocytes. Experimental Gerontology, 83 pp. 139-147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2016.07.017

Irkle A, Vesey AT, Lewis DY, Skepper JN, Bird JLE, Dweck MR, Joshi FJ, Gallagher FA, Warburton EA, Bennett MR, Brindle KM, Newby DE, Rudd JH, Davenport AP., 2015. Identifying active vascular micro‐calcification by 18F‐sodium fluoride positron emission tomography. Nature Communications, 6 pp 7495. doi:10.1038/ncomms8495.

Cuhlmann S, Gsell W, Van der Heiden K, Habib J, Tremoleda JL, Khalil M, Turkheimer F, Meens MJ, Kwak BR, Bird JL, Davenport AP, Clark JC, Haskard D, Krams R, Jones H, Evans PC., 2014. In vivo mapping of vascular inflammation using the translocator protein tracer 18F-FEDAA. Molecular Imaging, 13 pp 1-11. doi: 10.2310/7290.2014.00014

Johnström P, Fryer TD, Bird JLE, Richards HK and Davenport AP., 2012. Dynamic In Vivo Imaging of Receptors in Small Animals Using Positron Emission Tomography. Methods Mol Biol, 897 pp. 221-37.

Johnström P, Bird JLE and Davenport AP., 2012. Quantitative Phosphor Imaging Autoradiography of Radioligands for Positron Emission Tomography. Methods Mol Biol, 897 pp. 205-20.

Bird JLE, C.B. Jennert-Burston KCB, Bachler MA, Mason PA, Lowe JE, Heo S-J, Campisi J, Richard G.A. Faragher RGA, Cox LS., 2012. Recapitulation of Werner syndrome sensitivity to camptothecin by limited knockdown of the WRN helicase/exonuclease. Biogerontology, 13(1) pp. 49-62.

Bird JLE, Izquierdo-Garcia D, Davies JR, Rudd JHF, Probst KC, Figg N, Clark JC, Weissberg PL, Davenport AP and Warburton, EA., 2010. Evaluation of translocator protein quantification as a tool for assessing macrophage burden in human carotid atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, 210(2) pp. 388-91.

Davies JR, Izquierdo-Garcia D, Rudd JHF, Figg N, Richards HK, Bird JLE, Aigbirhio FI, Davenport AP, Weissberg PL, Fryer TD, Warburton EA., 2010. FDG-PET can distinguish inflamed from non-inflamed plaque in an animal model of atherosclerosis. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging, 26(1) pp. 41-8.

Probst KC, Izquierdo D, Davies JR, Bird JLE, Fryer TD, Richards HK, Clark JC, Warburton EA, Weissberg PL, Aigbirhio FI., 2007. Synthesis and Evaluation of Fluorine-18 and Copper-64 labelled PBR Radioligands. J. Label. Comp. Radiopharm, 50 pp. 561.

Probst KC, Izquierdo D, Bird JLE, Laurent B, Franck D, Davies JR, Fryer TD, Richards HK, Clark JC, Davenport AP, Weissberg PL, Aigbirhio FI and Warburton EA., 2007. Strategy for improved [11C]DAA1106 radiosynthesis and in vivo peripheral benzodiazepine receptor imaging using microPET. Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 34(4) pp. 439-446.

Cappello R, Bird JLE, Pfeiffer D, Bayliss MT and Dudhia J., 2006. Notochordal cells produce extracellular matrix in a distinct manner, which may be responsible for the maintenance of a healthy nucleus pulposus. Spine, 31(8) pp. 873-82.

Burton DGA, Allen MC, Bird, JLE, and Faragher, RGA., 2005. Bridging the gap: Ageing, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. J. Pharm. Pharm, 57(6) pp. 671-9.

Lowe JE, Sheerin AN, Jennert-Burston K, Bird JLE, Green MHL and Faragher RGA., 2004. Camptothecin sensitivity in Werner’s syndrome fibroblasts as assessed by the COMET technique. Annals NY Acad Sci, 1019 pp. 256-9

Iqbal J, Bird JLE, Hollander A and Bayliss MT., 2004. The effect of matrix depleting agents on the expression of the chondrocyte metabolism by equine chondrocytes. Res Vet Sci, 77 (3) pp. 249-256.

Bird, JLE, Ostler, E and Faragher, RGA., 2003. Can we say that senescent cells cause ageing? Exp Gerontol, 38 pp. 1319-1326.

Yasumoto T, Bird JLE, Sugimoto K, Mason RM and Bayliss MT., 2003. The G1-domain of aggrecan released from porcine articular cartilage forms stable complexes with hyaluronan/link protein. Rheumatology (Oxford), 42(2) pp. 336-342.

Wells T, Davidson C, Mörgelin M, Bird JLE and Bayliss MT. (2003) Age-related changes in the composition, the molecular stoichiometry and the stability of proteoglycan aggregates extracted from human articular cartilage. Biochem J, 370: 69-79.

Viitanen M, Bird JLE, Smith RK, Tulamo R-M and May SA., 2003. Biochemical characterisation of navicular hyaline cartilage, navicular fibrocartilage and the deep digital flexor tendon in horses suffering from navicular disease. Res Vet Sci, 75(2) pp. 113-120.

Viitanen M, Bird JLE, Makela O, Schramme M, Smith RK, Tulamo R-M and May, SA., 2001. Synovial fluid studies in navicular disease. Res Vet Sci, 71 pp. 201-6.

Viitanen M, Bird JLE, Maisi P, Smith RK, Tulamo R-M and May S., 2000. Differences in the concentration of various synovial fluid constituents between the distal interphalangeal joint, the metacarpophalangeal joint and the navicular bursa in normal horses. Res Vet Sci, 69(1) pp. 63-67.

Iqbal J, Dudhia J, Bird JLE and Bayliss MT. (2000) Age-related effects of TGF-beta on proteoglycan synthesis in equine articular cartilage. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 274 (2): 467-471.

Bird JLE, Platt D, Wells T, May SA, and Bayliss MT., 2000. Exercise-induced changes in proteoglycan metabolism of equine articular cartilage. Equine Vet J, 32 pp. 161-163.

Bird JLE, May S and Bayliss MT., 2000. Nitric oxide inhibits aggrecan degradation in explant cultures of equine articular cartilage. Equine Vet J, 32 pp. 133-139.

Platt D, Bird JLE and Bayliss MT., 1998. Ageing of equine articular cartilage: Structure and composition of aggrecan and decorin. Equine Vet J, 80 pp. 43-52.

Bird JLE, Wells T, Platt D and Bayliss MT., 1997. IL-1beta induces the degradation of equine articular cartilage extracellular matrix by a mechanism that is not mediated by nitric oxide. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 238 pp. 81-85.

Bird JLE and Tyler JA., 1995. Tumour necrosis factor alpha interferon gamma and dexamethasone regulate insulin-like growth factor-I maintained collagen production in cultured human fibroblasts. J Endocrinology, 147 pp. 167-176.

Bird JLE and Tyler JA., 1994. Dexamethasone potentiates the stimulatory effect of insulin-like growth factor-I on collagen production in cultures of foreskin fibroblasts. J Endocrinology, 142 pp. 571-579.

Tyler JA, Bird JLE, and Giller T., 1990. Interleukin 1 inhibits the production of Types II, IX and XI procollagen mRNA in cartilage. Annals NY Acad Sci, 580 pp. 512-513.

Recent presentations and conferences

Invited speaker
4th European Molecular Imaging Meeting, Barcelona, Spain, May 2009. Quantification of Inflammation in Atheroma: Positron Emission Tomography. Bird, JLE.

17th International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, Aachen, Germany, May 2007. Evaluation of [18F]-FEDAA as a PET-radiotracer for the imaging of atherosclerosis in man. Bird, JLE.

Published abstracts
Vesey AT, Irkle A, Lewis DY, Skepper JN, Bird JLE, Dweck MR, Joshi FJ, Gallagher FA, Warburton EA, Bennett MR, Brindle KM, Newby DE, Rudd JH, Davenport AP. 2015 Identifying active vascular micro‐calcification by 18F‐sodium fluoride positron emission tomography. Atherosclerosis, 241(1), e14. 

83rd EAS Congress, European Atherosclerosis Society 2015, Glasgow http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021915015002841

Irkle A, Bird JL, Skepper JN, Dweck MR, Joshi FR, Vesey AT, Bennett M, Newby DE, Warburton EA, Rudd JHF and Davenport AP (2013). [18]F-NaF - A Specific Marker for Vascular Calcification in Atherosclerosis. Circulation, 128: A17385. 

Scientific Sessions, American Heart Association, Dallas TX, Nov 2013.

Bird JL, Hawkes R, Manavaki R, Sawiak S, Williamson D, Aigbirhio FI, Rudd JH, Bennett M, Gillard J, Carpenter TA, Warburton EA, Davenport AP. Simultaneous positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of receptors using a novel combined pre-clinical microPET/MR system. British Pharmacological Society: 4th Focused Meeting on Cell Signalling, 2012, Leicester. http://bps.conference-services.net/resources/344/3045/pdf/CELLSIG12_0046.pdf

Bird JLE, Burzynski L, Manavaki R, Rudd JHF, Warburton EA, Davenport AP. Biomarkers for detection of activated macrophages in atherosclerosis. Heart, 2012, 98: A3. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2012-302951.009

Bird JLE, Hawkes RC, Manavaki R, Sawiak SJ, Williamson DJ, Aigbirhio FI, Rudd JHF, Bennett M, Gillard JH, Carpenter TA, Warburton EA, Davenport AP. Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Receptors Using a Novel Combined Pre-Clinical MicroPET/MR System. Heart. 2012; 98: A2-A3. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2012-302951.007

Bird JLE, Manavaki R, Fryer TD, Richards HK, Kassiou M, Rudd JH, Warburton EA and Davenport AP. Translocator protein ligand has improved binding characteristics for quantification of macrophages in atherosclerosis. Circulation, 2011; 124: A12854. Scientific Sessions, American Heart Association, Orlando FL, Nov 2011.

Gsell W, Cuhlmann S, Van Der Heiden, Tremoleda JL, Khalil M, Clark JC, Bird JL, Jones H, Krams R, Evans PC. 2011 18FEDAA is a more specific probe than 18FDG for imaging vascular inflammation. Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, Birmingham.

Bird JLE, Izquierdo-Garcia D, Davies J, Rudd JH, Probst KC, Aigbirhio FI, Figg N, Clark JC, Weissberg P, Davenport AP and Warburton EA. 2010 Positron Emission Tomography of Atherosclerosis. British Pharmacological Society Winter Meeting, London.