Dr Sofia Ferreira

Background

The UK population is ageing. 12.3 million people were aged 65 or over in 2019. By 2066 this number is estimated to reach 20.4 million. These rates follow the overall worldwide ageing trend in which the global population aged 60 years is projected to reach nearly 2100 million. We are living longer than at any time in human history, but at the cost of developing a plethora of age-associated conditions for which we have no cure.

I want to combat age-onset disease by targeting one of its main molecular mechanism: cellular senescence. My research program aims to dissect the effects of senescence in disease and regeneration, to improve the quality of life and promote greater ‘health span’ for the next generation.

Research Overview

Senescent cells accumulate in aged skin and other epithelia, increasing inflammation and promoting tissue damage. In skin, the inevitable consequence of ageing is that older skin becomes less efficient at repair and is more susceptible to damage and disease. This reality of ageing has been documented since World War I, with the observation that wounds heal more slowly in older soldiers whereas the fetus heals cutaneous wounds without a scar. We aim to understand where senescence starts, how it starts, and what interventions are the most suitable to improve skin regeneration during ageing.

We aim to target senescent cells using a combination of strategies, including but not limited to:

• Novel methods for heterochronic parabiosis
• Understanding ageing at a cellular level using multi-omics
• Exploring senescence in highly regenerative species (such as the spiny mouse)
• Addressing the effects of space travel on cellular senescence
• Using ex vivo machine perfusion to deliver therapeutics, targeting senescence at whole organ level

Biographical Profile

2017-2023        Postdoctoral researcher, Forbes’ lab University of Edinburgh, UK

2013-2017        PhD, ‘Paracrine cellular senescence exacerbates biliary injury and impairs regeneration’ Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine program, University of Edinburgh, UK

2013                    MSc Biomedical Research, University of Navarra, Spain

2004-2009         BS Biotechnology, University of Salamanca, Spain

Honours and Awards

2022     Converge Kickstart Challenge Runner up, Converge Challenge, Scotland, UK

2019     IRR Early Career Innovator Award, University of Edinburgh, UK

2015     Deanery Funding Challenge, University of Edinburgh, UK

2013     Principal’s Career Development PhD Scholarship, University of Edinburgh, UK

Lab Alumni

• Dr Hannah Esser (PhD Student 2018-2022, co-supervised with Prof Stuart Forbes) - Current position: transplant surgeon at Innsbruck Medical University
• Annelijn Speel (MSc student SUMA Degree 2021-2023, co-supervised with Prof Stuart Forbes) - Current position: finishing her medicine degree
• Kayla Wang (MSc Student 2022, co-supervised with Prof Till Bachmann) - Current position: PhD Student at Bachmann’s lab.
• Amanda Johnson (MSc student 2022) - Current position: PhD student McMaster University
• Angus Comerford (MSc student 2022) -Current position: PhD student Forbes’ lab.
• Franklin Lo (MSc student 2020-2021, co-supervised with Prof Stuart Forbes) - Current position: PhD student Cambridge University

Funding

• UKRI-Future Leaders Fellowship
• LEO Foundation

Collaborators

Internal

• Professor Charles Cockell (University of Edinburgh)
• Professor Stuart Forbes (University of Edinburgh)

External

• Dr Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro (Imperial College London)
• Professor Mark Fear (University of Western Australia)
• Professor Damion Corrigan (University of Strathclyde)