Sam Tucker
PhD Student
Roe Group Member: 2023 - Present
In the summer of 2022, I obtained my MSci in Microbiology from the University of Glasgow. I completed my MSci project within the Carvalho lab at the Francis Crick Institute, where I focused on investigating the impact of pH on atypical Mycobacterium. During the COVID-19 pandemic whilst working at the Francis Crick Institute, I became involved directly with patient health administering the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine to members of the North London community. Throughout the course of my studies, I remained interested in approaches to reduce the pathological burden and decided to pursue a PhD within the infection field.
As part of the Integrated Infection Biology PhD programme, I undertook my first rotation in the Roe lab (Bacteriology), working on repurposing aurodox for the treatment of Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli. In my second rotation, I worked within the Milling lab (Immunology), “investigating the effect of Heligmosomoides polygrus parasitic worms on the innate and adaptive immune cell balance”. This project particularly focused on the dendritic cell subsets, some of which can regulate the activation of immune tolerance pathways.
My current project, funded by Wellcome Trust, aims to develop small molecule inhibitors of Shiga-like toxins (Stx-1 and Stx-2) produced by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Stx-1 and Stx-2 are Type II ribosome inactivating proteins (RIP) responsible for intestinal colitis, haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), renal failure, and brain damage potentially life-threatening illness. We hope these investigations will characterise a scalable compound suitable for human administration to improve patient outcomes.
