Dr Caroline Griffiths

BSc, PhD

Programme Lead: Biomedical and Biological Sciences

School of Biological and Medical Sciences

Role

The Biomedical and Biological Sciences Programme offers a suite of 4 high-quality, research-led science degrees (BSc Honours) that complement each other in their focus on human health, disease and healthcare. The degrees provide excellent learning, training and development opportunities for students. Graduates reach high academic and personal achievement goals, show strong competitiveness in the job market and reflect robust student satisfaction.

My role encompasses the management and continued development of the programme. I work with a strong team of lecturers who are keen to enthuse our students about the fundamentals of science and about what interests them in their research areas. I also aim link our curriculum and our students with the outlook from key stakeholders, including future employers (such as Brookes and other universities, the NHS, and healthcare / pharmaceutical industries), and relevant policy-making and professional bodies (such as the HEA, QAA, IBMS, etc).

I like to keep good contact with the students, and I am involved in teaching at all levels, including lecturing, practicals, tutorials, personal tutoring and, as a major teaching role I co-ordinate and support research projects and work placements.

Teaching and supervision

Modules taught

P44621 Dissertation for Infection Prevention & Control
U14533 Microbiology
U14565 Industrial Experience
U14665 Biomedical Laboratory Placement
U14690 Interdisciplinary Project
U14699 Project.

BSc and MSc teaching, with focus on molecular biology, virology.
Lead tutor for Projects (UG and PG) and Placements (UG).

Supervision

PhD supervision (joint) by research and by published work.

Research

My research interests include the biology of baculoviruses and their application as protein expression tools. These insect-specific viruses are harmless to humans but readily support the expression of significant amounts of proteins in laboratory cultures and in their natural caterpillar hosts. The virus has been developed for this application primarily as a result of two very strong promoters, regulating the viral polyhedrin and p10 genes, but whilst the role of the polyhedrin protein is well established, that of the p10 protein remains obscure. Knock-out and recombinant viruses are beginning to allow us to evaluate biological characteristics, and formulate possible funtions for this non-essential protein.

The use of the virus as a protein expression tool has grown over the past 30 years, but there are still a number of issues that plague users, and that prevent it being a usinversal system suitable for all appliations. Aspects of my research seek to address some of these issues, with a view to enhancing the expression system.

Research group membership

Insect Virology Research Group (led by Professor Linda King)

Research projects

Baculovirus expression vector system utilisation and development.

Publications

Haines FJ, Griffiths CM, Possee RD, Hawes CR, King LA, 'Involvement of lipid rafts and cellular actin in AcMNPV GP64 distribution and virus budding'
Virologica Sinica 24 (4) (2009) pp.333-349

ISSN: 1674-0769 eISSN: 1995-820X
Abstract Published here
Carpentier DCJ, Griffiths CM, King LA, 'The baculovirus P10 protein of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus forms two distinct cytoskeletal-like structures and associates with polyhedral occlusion bodies during infection'
Virology 371 (2) (2008) pp.278-291

ISSN: 0042-6822 eISSN: 1178-122X
Abstract Published here
Burden JP, Griffiths CM, Cory JS, Smith P, Sait SM, 'Vertical transmission of sublethal granulovirus infection in the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella'
Molecular Ecology 11 (3) (2002) pp.547-555

ISSN: 0962-1083 eISSN: 1365-294X
Abstract Published here
Griffiths CM, Barnett AL, Ayres MD, Windass J, King LA,Possee RD, 'In vitro host range of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus recombinants lacking functional p35, iap1 or iap2.'
Journal of General Virology (1999)

ISSN: 0022-1317 eISSN: 1465-2099
Published here
Griffiths CM, 'Baculovirus expression vectors: Advances and applications.'
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents (1994)

Published here
Griffiths CM, Wilson SM, Clegg JCS, 'Sequence of the nucleocapsid gene of Machupo virus: close relationship with another South American pathogenic arenavirus, Junin.'
Archives of Virology (1992)

ISSN: 0304-8608 eISSN: 1432-8798
Published here

Baker S, Griffiths C, Nicklin J, BIOS Instant Notes in Microbiology, Taylor & Francis Group (2011)

ISBN: 978-0415607704 eISBN: 9780203808313

Possee R, Griffiths C, Hitchman R, Chambers A, Murguia-Meca F, Danquah J, Jeshtadi A, King L, 'Baculoviruses: biology, replication and exploitation' in Insect Virology, Caister Academic Press (2010)

ISBN: 9781904455714
Abstract
Griffiths CM, McVean R, Benmayor R, Sait SM, Thompson DJ, Possee RD, Cory JS, Begon M, 'Host dynamics and pathogen variation in insect-baculovirus interactions.' in Hails, RS, Beringer, JE, Godfray, HCJ (ed.), Genes in the Environment., Blackwell Publishing (2003)

ISBN: 978-0521549349
Griffiths CM, Page MJ, 'Expression of heterologous proteins using the baculovirus/insect expression system.' in Pollard JW, Walker JM (ed.), Methods in Molecular Biology Volume 75: Basic Cell Culture Protocols., Humana Press (1997)

ISBN: 978-0896033849

Professional information

Memberships of professional bodies

American Society of Virology
Microbiology Society
Institute of Biomedical Science (Fellow)
Royal Society of Medicine (Associate)

Further details

Other experience

Post-doctoral research scientist (1995-2001) - Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (formerly the Institute of Virology & Environmental Microbiology), Oxford.
Research Scientist (1991-1995) - Wellcome Research Laboratories, Langley Court, Beckenham
Clinical Research Scientist (1990-1991) - Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, Salisbury