April Rees

(MENAFN- The Conversation)

• Lecturer, Biochemistry & Immunology, Swansea University

Profile Articles Activity

Completed my Biochemistry BSc in 2017 in Swansea University, where I was introduced to the world of Immunology. Acquired my PhD in 2022 where I investigated the changes the immune system experiences in pregnancy. Specifically, I am looked at one particular type of cell called monocytes, and am trying to determine how these cells adapt metabolically to become functionally different in pregnancy. My research has grown to encompass COVID-19 and pregnancy, women's reproductive health including endometriosis and PCOS, lipidomics, and obesity.

Experience

• 2023–present Lecturer, Swansea University
• 2021–present Biochemisty Tutor, Swansea University

Education

• 2022 Swansea University, PhD
• 2017 Swansea University, Biochemistry BSc

Publications

• 2024 Maternal immunometabolism adaptation in monocytes underpins functional changes during pregnancy., April Rees, Benjamin J Jenkins, Roberto Angelini, Luke C Davies, James G Cronin, Catherine A Thornton
• 2024 Loss of Mitohcondrial pyruvate carrier 1 supports proline-dependent proliferation and collagen biosynthesis in ovarian cancer., Farook MR, Croxford Z, Morgan S, Holt A, April Rees, Jenkins BJ, Tse C, Stanton E, Davies M, Thornton CA, Jones N, Sheldon IM, Vincent EE, Cronin JG
• 2023 Canigliflozin impairs T-cell effector function via metabolic suppression in autoimmunity, Benjamin J. Jenkins, Julianna Blagih, Fernando M. Ponce-Garcia, Mary Canavan, Nancy Gudgeon, Simon Eastham, David Hill, Megan M. Hanlon, Eric H. Ma, Emma L. Bishop, April Rees, James G. Cronin, Elizabeth C. Jury, Sarah K. Dimeloe, Douglas J. Veale, Catherine A. Thornton, Karen H. Vousden, David K. Finlay, Ursula Fearon, Gareth W. Jones... Nicholas Jones
• 2023 The changing lipidomic profile of pregnancy can be monitored using novel mass spectrometry techniques., April Rees, Roberto Angelini, Zoe Edwards-I-Coll, Oliver Richards, Molly E. Raikes, Catherine A. Thornton
• 2022 Immunometabolic adaptation and immune plasticity in pregnancy and the bi-directional effects of obesity, April Rees, Oliver Richards, Megan Chambers, Benjamin J. Jenkins, James G. Cronin, Catherine A. Thornton
• 2022 Maternal body mass index is associated with an altered immunological profile at 28 weeks of gestation., April Rees, Oliver Richards, Anastasia Allen-Kormylo, Nicholas Jones, Catherine A. Thornton
• 2022 Potential protective effects of breast milk and amniotic fluid against novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, April Rees, Stephen Turner, Catherine A Thornton
• 2021 Does Altered Cellular Metabolism Underpin the Normal Changes to the Maternal Immune System during Pregnancy?, Benjamin J. Jenkins, April Rees, Nicholas Jones, Catherine A. Thornton
• 2021 Macrophage Plasticity in Reproduction and Environmental Influences on Their Function, Megan Chambers, April Rees, James G. Cronin, Manju Nair, Nicholas Jones, and Catherine A. Thornton
• 2021 Fructose reprogrammes glutamine-dependent oxidative metabolism to support LPS-induced inflammation, Nicholas Jones, Julianna Blagih, Fabio Zani, April Rees, David G. Hill, Benjamin J. Jenkins, Caroline J. Bull, Diana Moreira, Azari I. M. Bantan, James G. Cronin, Daniele Avancini, Gareth W. Jones, David K. Finlay, Karen H. Vousden, Emma E. Vincent & Catherine A. Thornton
• 2017 Production and regulation of interleukin-1 family cytokines at the materno-fetal interface, Louis M.Scott, Aled H.Bryant, AprilRees, BillyDown, Ruth H.Jones, Catherine A.Thornton

Grants and Contracts

• 2024 A mechanistic evaluation of the role of CD8 T cells in endometriosis. Role: PI Funding Source: St David's Medical Foundation (SDMF)
• 2024 Investigating the inflammatory environment of endometriosis ectopic lesions and peripheral blood. Role: PI Funding Source: The Royal Society
• 2023 Immunometabolic disruption of monocytes by gestational diabetes underpins an accelerated inflammatory phenotype. Role: PI Funding Source: Diabetes UK
• 2022 The use of spectroscopy to identify a blood-based biomarker for endometriosis. Role: PI Funding Source: Impactober (Faculty fund)
• 2021 Investigating mitochondrial function in monocytes during pregnancy. Role: PI Funding Source: RWIF Collaboration Booster (HEFCW)
• 2020 Harnessing pregnancy associated COVID-19 protective mechanisms for disease insight and novel diagnostics and therapeutics. Role: Co-I Funding Source: EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account

Professional Memberships

• British Society of Immunology
• Biochemical Society
• World Endometriosis Society

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