MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit


Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit	'Leading Science for Better Health'

Investigator Scientists

Selected Publications

Research Focus

Kevin leads exploratory research by the Discovery Research Group.

The aim is to evaluate emerging topics in reproductive biology which may be exploited by the unit in the future.

This process involves continual assessment of the scientific literature, database mining and short to medium term experimental work.

Several areas of investigation run in parallel and currently include evaluations of the roles of G protein coupled receptors in reproductive tissues, the communication between prostate fibroblasts and epithelial cells, and the function of key transcription factors in cell differentiation.

Discovery of potent kisspeptin antagonists delineate physiological mechanisms of gonadotropin regulation. Roseweir AK, Kauffman AS, Smith JT, Guerriero KA, Morgan K, Pielecka-Fortuna J, Pineda R, Gottsch ML, Tena-Sempere M, Moenter SM, Terasawa E, Clarke IJ, Steiner RA, Millar RP. J Neurosci. 2009;29:3920-9.

Potent action of RFamide-related peptide-3 on pituitary gonadotropes indicative of a hypophysiotropic role in the negative regulation of gonadotropin secretion. Clarke IJ, Sari IP, Qi Y, Smith JT, Parkington HC, Ubuka T, Iqbal J, Li Q, Tilbrook A, Morgan K, Pawson AJ, Tsutsui K, Millar RP, Bentley GE. Endocrinology. 2008;149:5811-21.

Prokineticin 1 signaling and gene regulation in early human pregnancy. Evans J, Catalano RD, Morgan K, Critchley HO, Millar RP, Jabbour HN. Endocrinology. 2008;149:2877-87.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor levels and cell context affect tumor cell responses to agonist in vitro and in vivo. Morgan K, Stewart AJ, Miller N, Mullen P, Muir M, Dodds M, Medda F, Harrison D, Langdon S, Millar RP. Cancer Res. 2008; 68:6331-40.

Retention and silencing of prepro-GnRH-II and type II GnRH receptor genes in mammals. Stewart AJ, Katz AA, Millar RP, Morgan K. Neuroendocrinology 2009 In press.

Kevin studied biochemistry at Oxford University and obtained a PhD from Leicester University.

He worked at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, the Royal Postgraduate Medical School (Hammersmith, London) and Cambridge University biochemistry department before moving to Edinburgh.

He has a background in molecular genetics, neuroendocrinology and cell biology, having published research relating to the renin-angiotensin system, the discovery of a novel neuroendocrine sodium channel subunit and the gonadotropin releasing hormone system.

Research Focus
Angiogenesis is essential for ovarian follicle development. I am currently leading research projects on the regulation and manipulation of the follicular vasculature, within a programme led by Professor Hamish Fraser . Our aims are to identify which molecules regulate the process of angiogenesis and find out if abnormal production of these molecules could contribute to disorders of the ovary, such as inadequate follicular development and infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. We aim to develop novel therapeutics by targeting specific angiogenic factors or their inhibitors to the ovary during the ovulatory cycle.

Thomas FH, Vanderhyden BC (2006). Oocyte growth and developmental competence. In 'In-vitro Maturation of Human Oocytes: Basic Research to Clinical Applications'. Tan, Chian and Buckett (eds), in press

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Investigator Scientists
Dr Kevin Morgan Dr Fiona Thomas
Dr Kevin Morgan MA(Oxon), PhD	Selected Publications
Research Focus Kevin leads exploratory research by the Discovery Research Group. The aim is to evaluate emerging topics in reproductive biology which may be exploited by the unit in the future. This process involves continual assessment of the scientific literature, database mining and short to medium term experimental work. Several areas of investigation run in parallel and currently include evaluations of the roles of G protein coupled receptors in reproductive tissues, the communication between prostate fibroblasts and epithelial cells, and the function of key transcription factors in cell differentiation.	Discovery of potent kisspeptin antagonists delineate physiological mechanisms of gonadotropin regulation. Roseweir AK, Kauffman AS, Smith JT, Guerriero KA, Morgan K, Pielecka-Fortuna J, Pineda R, Gottsch ML, Tena-Sempere M, Moenter SM, Terasawa E, Clarke IJ, Steiner RA, Millar RP. J Neurosci. 2009;29:3920-9. Potent action of RFamide-related peptide-3 on pituitary gonadotropes indicative of a hypophysiotropic role in the negative regulation of gonadotropin secretion. Clarke IJ, Sari IP, Qi Y, Smith JT, Parkington HC, Ubuka T, Iqbal J, Li Q, Tilbrook A, Morgan K, Pawson AJ, Tsutsui K, Millar RP, Bentley GE. Endocrinology. 2008;149:5811-21. Prokineticin 1 signaling and gene regulation in early human pregnancy. Evans J, Catalano RD, Morgan K, Critchley HO, Millar RP, Jabbour HN. Endocrinology. 2008;149:2877-87. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor levels and cell context affect tumor cell responses to agonist in vitro and in vivo. Morgan K, Stewart AJ, Miller N, Mullen P, Muir M, Dodds M, Medda F, Harrison D, Langdon S, Millar RP. Cancer Res. 2008; 68:6331-40. Retention and silencing of prepro-GnRH-II and type II GnRH receptor genes in mammals. Stewart AJ, Katz AA, Millar RP, Morgan K. Neuroendocrinology 2009 In press.

Research Programmes
Structural and Molecular Basis of Ligand-induced Selective Signalling (LiSS) in G Protein-coupled Receptors (GPCRs) G protein-coupled receptor integrative and ligand-induced selective signalling in the reproductive system Development and application of GnRH analogues : application in cancers and the reproductive tract
Contact
Email: k.morgan@hrsu.mrc.ac.uk Telephone: 0131 242 6219. Fax: 0131 242 6197

Biographical Profile
Kevin studied biochemistry at Oxford University and obtained a PhD from Leicester University. He worked at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, the Royal Postgraduate Medical School (Hammersmith, London) and Cambridge University biochemistry department before moving to Edinburgh. He has a background in molecular genetics, neuroendocrinology and cell biology, having published research relating to the renin-angiotensin system, the discovery of a novel neuroendocrine sodium channel subunit and the gonadotropin releasing hormone system.

Dr Fiona Thomas BSc (Hons), PhD	Selected Publications
Research Focus Angiogenesis is essential for ovarian follicle development. I am currently leading research projects on the regulation and manipulation of the follicular vasculature, within a programme led by Professor Hamish Fraser . Our aims are to identify which molecules regulate the process of angiogenesis and find out if abnormal production of these molecules could contribute to disorders of the ovary, such as inadequate follicular development and infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. We aim to develop novel therapeutics by targeting specific angiogenic factors or their inhibitors to the ovary during the ovulatory cycle.	Thomas FH, Ethier JF, Shimasaki S, Vanderhyden BC (2005). Follicle-stimulating hormone regulates oocyte growth by modulation of expression of oocyte and granulosa cell factors. Endocrinology 146: 941-949 Thomas FH, Vanderhyden BC (2006). Oocyte-granulosa cell interactions during mouse follicular development: Regulation on Kit Ligand expression and its role in oocyte growth. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 4: 19 Thomas FH, Vanderhyden BC (2006). Oocyte growth and developmental competence. In 'In-vitro Maturation of Human Oocytes: Basic Research to Clinical Applications'. Tan, Chian and Buckett (eds), in press



Editorial Boards
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology (Adviser)

Society Memberships
Society for the Study of Reproduction

Research Programmes	Contact (e-mail, fax)	Telephone
Regulation and manipulation of the follicular vasculature	f.thomas@hrsu.mrc.ac.uk Fax: +44 (0)131 242 6197	+44 (0)131 242 9100
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