Dr Elaine Duncan
- Research Assistant (Molecular Biosciences)
email:
Elaine.Duncan@glasgow.ac.uk
pronouns:
She/her/hers
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5746-5939Biography
Elaine Duncan is a postdoctoral researcher in the Centre for Translational Pharmacology, where she investigates the role of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in metabolic disease. In 2025, she completed her PhD as part of the LifETIME Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Glasgow, developing an innovative adipocyte spheroid platform to explore GPCR signalling in a physiologically-relevant context.
Prior to her academic career, Elaine worked as an assay development and high-throughput screening scientist at Charles River Laboratories in Saffron Walden, where she worked across several projects and targets to deliver pre-clinical drug discovery data to clients. She completed her undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences (Genetics) at the University of Cambridge in 2018.
Alongside her research, she is a passionate STEM Ambassador who has developed and delivered award-winning public engagement initiatives to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Research interests
My research is largely focused on developing new tools and targets for the drug discovery sector.
In my current project, I am using a combination of in vitro and ex vivo pharmacological techniques to research the FFA2 and FFA4 free fatty acid receptors in metabolic tissues. In particular, I am interested in the functional implications of 'intracrine' signalling in metabolic disease, and to understand how these learnings can contribute to novel therapeutic strategies for obesity, type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
Skills and Expertise
- GPCR molecular pharmacology
- Cell culture (2D & 3D including primary and stem cells)
- Plate-based assays
- Molecular biology
Research groups
Publications
2025
Valentini, A. et al. (2025) Multicolored sequential resonance energy transfer for detection of simultaneous ligand binding at G protein-coupled receptors. Nature Communications, 16(1), 6413. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-61690-5) (PMID:40645980) (PMCID:PMC12254266)
Alshammari, W.S., Duncan, E.M. 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5746-5939, Vita, L., Kenawy, M., Dibnah, B., Wabitsch, M., Gould, G.W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6571-2875 and Hudson, B.D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7059-0091
(2025)
Inverse agonism of the FFA4 free fatty acid receptor controls both adipogenesis and mature adipocyte function.
Cellular Signalling, 131,
111714.
(doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2025.111714)
(PMID:40057149)
2023
Duncan, Elaine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5746-5939, Vita, Luca, Dibnah, Bethany and Hudson, Brian D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7059-0091
(2023)
Metabolite sensing GPCRs controlling interactions between adipose tissue and inflammation.
Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14,
1197102.
(doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1197102)
(PMID:37484963)
(PMCID:PMC10357040)
Articles
Valentini, A. et al. (2025) Multicolored sequential resonance energy transfer for detection of simultaneous ligand binding at G protein-coupled receptors. Nature Communications, 16(1), 6413. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-61690-5) (PMID:40645980) (PMCID:PMC12254266)
Alshammari, W.S., Duncan, E.M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5746-5939, Vita, L., Kenawy, M., Dibnah, B., Wabitsch, M., Gould, G.W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6571-2875 and Hudson, B.D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7059-0091
(2025)
Inverse agonism of the FFA4 free fatty acid receptor controls both adipogenesis and mature adipocyte function.
Cellular Signalling, 131,
111714.
(doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2025.111714)
(PMID:40057149)
Duncan, Elaine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5746-5939, Vita, Luca, Dibnah, Bethany and Hudson, Brian D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7059-0091
(2023)
Metabolite sensing GPCRs controlling interactions between adipose tissue and inflammation.
Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14,
1197102.
(doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1197102)
(PMID:37484963)
(PMCID:PMC10357040)
Teaching
Demonstrator for L1 biology and L3/L4 pharmacology (2022-25)
Tutor for L1 biology (2022-23)
Lab Supervisor for Undergraduate & Masters student research projects (2022-present)
Professional activities & recognition
Prizes, awards & distinctions
- 2024: Rising Innovative Researcher Award (School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow)
- 2020: Kirsty Smitten Award (Early Career Professional Impact Award) (ELRIG)
Professional & learned societies
- 2024: General Committee Member, ELRIG
- 2024: Engagement Strategy Workgroup Member, ELRIG
- 2021: Early Career Member, British Pharmacological Society
Selected international presentations
- 2025: 3D Cell Culture (Freiburg, Germany)
- 2025: Pharmacology 2025 (Belfast, UK)
