# Disease Mechanisms and Ageing

**Source**: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/research/units/hls/groups/disease-mechanisms-and-ageing
**Parent**: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/engage-and-innovate/consultancy

Group Leader(s):
[Dr Paul Potter](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/paul-potter)

Contact:

[ppotter@brookes.ac.uk](mailto:ppotter@brookes.ac.uk)

[+44 (0)1865 488632](tel:+44 (0)1865 488632)

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About us

Research impact

Leadership

Projects

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[About us](#research-about)
[Research impact](#research-impact)
[Leadership](#research-leadership)
[Projects](#research-projects)

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## About us

The group’s interests lie in elucidating pathogenic pathways through in vivo and in vitro modelling, with a particular emphasis on chronic and age-related disease.

We are currently working on a novel model of nephrotic syndrome resulting from a point mutation in laminin alpha5, osteophyte formation in a model of osteoarthritis with defective collagen 1 alpha 2, and the effects of an aggrecan mutation on joint deterioration and adiposity.

We also have an interest in modifier pathways in renal disease such as Alport Syndrome and Nephrotic Syndrome.

### Part of

- [School of Biological and Medical Sciences](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/bms "School of Biological and Medical Sciences")
- [Biomedicine](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/research/units/hls/themes/biomedicine)

### Related courses

- [Biomedical Science (BSc (Hons))](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/biomedical-science)
- [Medical Genetics and Genomics (MSc / PGDip / PGCert)](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/medical-genetics-and-genomics)

## Research impact

DrPotter has presented at national and international meetings and recently gave the keynote talk at the UK SPINE 2021 Annual Meeting. He is also a member of the steering group for the Oxford Brookes Healthy Ageing RIKE Network. He is the widening participation co-ordinator for the School of Biological and Medical Sciences (BMS) and leads the Biology section of the Brookes Engage programme, and has contributed to various Summer Schools.

## Leadership

### Dr Paul Potter

- [+44 (0) 1865 488632](tel:+44 (0) 1865 488632)
- [ppotter@brookes.ac.uk](mailto:ppotter@brookes.ac.uk)

Senior Lecturer and Group Leader: Disease Mechanisms and Ageing

[View profile  for Paul Potter](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/paul-potter)

## Projects

Active projects

- Active projects

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### Active projects

| Project title and description | Investigator(s) | Funder(s) | Dates |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **A novel model of Nephrotic Syndrome**  We have identified a novel model of nephrotic syndrome resulting from a point mutation in laminin alpha 5. This is the first mouse model demonstrating that mutations in this basement membrane protein results in chronic renal disease and confirms current findings from patient sequencing. | [Dr Paul Potter](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/paul-potter) | [Brookes Research Excellence Award](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/at-a-glance/research-excellence/ "Brookes Research Excellence Award") |  |
| **The role of aggrecan in adipogenesis**  Aggrecan is an essential protein present in cartilage and we have identified a point mutation in this protein which better models phenotypes seen in patients with mutations in aggrecan such as aggressive osteoarthritis and short stature. We have also identified a possible link with increased adiposity in these mice and are investigating the link between aggrecan and adipogenesis. | [Dr Paul Potter](https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/paul-potter) | [INFRAFRONTIER (EU)](https://www.infrafrontier.eu/ "INFRAFRONTIER (EU)") |  |

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