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School of Medicine

Dr Rachel Watson BSc (Hons), PhD

Photograph of Rachel Watson

Non-Clinical Senior Lecturer

Room 1.443
Stopford Building
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL

 

Memberships of Committees and Professional Bodies

  • British Society for Investigative Dermatology
  • British Society for Research into Ageing
  • European Society for Dermatological Research
  • American Aging Association

Research

Our research focuses on understanding human ageing, with particular reference to skin. Ageing can be divided broadly into two catagories: that which occurs as a consequence of time (intrinsic ageing) and that which is the result of our interactions with the environment (extrinsic ageing). The major environmental factor which impacts upon skin is long-term sun exposure (ultraviolet radiation, UVR) , although other stimuli also exert effects (sun-bed use, smoking, atmospheric pollutants etc).

In addition to examining the mechanisms underlying skin ageing, we also have an interest in aiding the repair of skin once damaged. This includes: understanding how drugs, such as retinoids, interact with the skin to promote repair; dietary protection against UVR-mediated damage and performing 'proof of principle' in vivo clinical studies on emerging therapies.

 

Methodological Knowledge

Dermatopharmacology Unit (Salford Royal Foundation NHS Trust)

  • 'Proof of principle' in vivo clinical studies to assess skin repair by emerging therapies

Epithelial Sciences (Stopford Building)

Basic research labs with the capacity to perform:

  • Gene expression studies - in situ hybridization, qPCR, Affymetrix arrays
  • Protein studies - immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting
  • Matrix metalloproteinase studies - zymography, in situ zymography
 

Biography

Rachel Watson (BSc (Hons), PhD) is a Non-Clinical Senior Lecturer in Aesthetic Dermatology within the School of Translational Medicine, University of Manchester. She received her BSc (Anatomy & Cell Biology) and PhD degrees from the University of Sheffield. She sits on the editorial boards of 3 scientific journals and is Co-Editor of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology.  Rachel also sits on the Executive Committee of the British Society for Investigative Dermatology (2006-). Her research includes understanding the mechanisms which lead to skin ageing and the assessment of extracellular matrix repair, particularly by topical retinoids.

In addition, Rachel is one of the postgraduate tutors for the central Stopford Building site, with responsibility for around 40 MD and PhD students.

 

Collaborators and affiliated staff

Collaborators

Affiliated staff and research students

  • Dr Abigail Langton (post-doctoral researcher)
  • Dr David Pattwell (post-doctoral researcher)
  • Lindsay Cotterell (research technician)
  • Carol Ward (research technician)
  • Dr June Bowden (clinical trial co-ordinator, Dermatopharmacology Unit)
  • Gill Aarons (research nurse, Dermatopharmacology Unit)
  • Dr Yusur Al-Nuaimi (DTC, Systems Biology PhD student)
  • Christopher Ford (FMHS Strategic PhD student)
  • Suzy Pilkington (BBSRC-CASE student)
  • Sarah Thurstan (Alliance Boots PhD student)
  • Libby Naylor (Alliance Boots PhD student)
  • Gemma Darby (BBSRC-DRINC PhD student)
  • Suha Althubaiti (Saudi Government PhD student)
 

Publications

2012

  • Evangelou G, Farrar MD, Cotterell LF, Brenn T, Tosca AD, Watson REB, Rhodes LE. (In-press). Topical photodynamic therapy significantly reduces epidermal Langerhans cells during clinical treatment of basal cell carcinoma. Br J Dermatol, eScholarID:145289

2011

  • REB Watson. (2011). Photoageing - Mechanisms and reversal. Presented at European Society for Photobiology. Geneva, Switzerland. eScholarID:123527
  • AK Langton, MJ Sherratt, CEM Griffiths, REB Watson. (2011). Differential expression of elastic fibre components in intrinsically aged skin. Biogerontology, eScholarID:121615 | DOI:10.1007/s10522-011-9332-9
  • EC Naylor, REB Watson, MJ Sherratt. (In-press). Molecular aspects of skin ageing. Maturitas, eScholarID:123510 | DOI:10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.04.011
  • G Evangelou, MD Farrar, NB Sorefan, KP Wright, R White, K McLean, S Andrew, REB Watson, LE Rhodes. (In-press). Topical ALA-PDT produces an inflammatory infiltrate but reduces Langerhans cells in healthy human skin in vivo. British Journal of Dermatology, eScholarID:123511 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10433.x
  • Zhao X, Akhtar R, Nijenhuis N, Wilkinson S, Ballestrem C, Sherratt MJ, Watson REB, Derby B. (In-press). Multi-layer phase analysis: Quantifying the elastic properties of soft tissues and live cells with ultra-high frequency scanning acoustic microscopy. Transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics and frequency control, eScholarID:145292
  • Zhao X, Wilkinson S, Akhtar R, Sherratt MJ, Watson REB, Derby B. (In-press). Quantifying micro-mechanical properties of soft biological tissues with scanning acoustic microscopy. Mater Res Soc Symp Proc, eScholarID:145294

2010

  • REB Watson. (2010). UV modulation of the skin’s microfibrillar network. eScholarID:107929
  • REB Watson. (2010). UV modulation of the skin’s microfibrillar network. Presented at University of Szeged Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Clinical Centre, Department of Dermatology and Allergology. Szeged, Hungary. eScholarID:107927
  • AK Langton, MJ Sherratt, CEM Griffiths, REB Watson. (2010). A new wrinkle on old skin: the role of elastic fibres in skin ageing. International Journal of Cosmetic Sciences, eScholarID:83515 | DOI:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2010.00574.x
  • DM Pattwell, KJ Lynaugh, REB Watson, R Paus. (2010). HaCaT keratinocytes express functional receptors for thyroid-stimulating hormone. Journal of Dermatological Science, 59, 50-62. eScholarID:83513 | DOI:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2010.04.007
  • Graham HK, Hodson NW, Hoyland JA, Millward-Sadler SJ, Garrod D, Scothern A, Griffiths CEM, Watson REB, Cox TR, Erler JT, Trafford AW, Sherratt MJ. (2010). Tissue section AFM: In situ ultrastructural imaging of native biomolecules. Matrix Biology, eScholarID:78233
  • M. Rizwan, I. Rodriguez-Blanco, A. Harbottle, M.A. Birch-Machin, R.E.B. Watson, L.E. Rhodes. (2010). Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology, eScholarID:107823 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10057.x
  • MJ Sherratt, CP Bayley, SM Reilly, NK Gibbs, CEM Griffiths, REB Watson. (2010). Low-dose ultraviolet radiation selectively degrades chromophore-rich extracellular matrix components. Journal of Pathology, eScholarID:83514 | DOI:10.1002/path.2730
  • Y Al-Nuaimi, G Baier, Watson REB, Chuong CM, Paus R. (2010). The cycling hair follicle as an ideal systems biology research model. Experimental Dermatology, eScholarID:83516 | DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0625.2010.01114.x
  • REB Watson, CEM Griffiths. (2010). In reply: Effects versus improvement of photoaged skin. Archives of Dermatology, eScholarID:107961

2009

  • 14. Akhtar R, Schwarzer N, Sherratt MJ, Watson REB, Graham HK, Trafford AW, Mummery PM , Derby B. (2009). Nanoindentation of histological specimens: Mapping the elastic properties of soft tissue. J Material Research, 24, 638-646. eScholarID:1d32900 | DOI:10.1557/jmr.2009.0130
  • Akhtar R, Sherratt MJ, Watson REB, Kundu T, Derby B. (2009). Mapping the micromechanical properties of cryo-sectioned aortic tissue with scanning acoustic microscopy. Mater Res Soc Symp Proc Mater Res Soc, 1132E( 1132-Z03-07), eScholarID:1d20189 | DOI:10.1557/PROC-1132-Z03-07
  • Ford CT, Sherratt MJ, Griffiths CEM, Watson REB. (2009). Liver X receptor beta: Maintenance of epidermal expression in intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging. AGE, 31, 365-372. eScholarID:78231 | DOI:10.1007/s11357-009-9111-6
  • Rutter K, Watson REB, Cotterell LF, Brenn TT, Griffiths CEM, Rhodes LE. (2009). Severely photosensitive psoriasis: A phenotypically defined patient subset. Journal Of Investigative Dermatology, 129, 2861-2867. eScholarID:1d28362 | DOI:10.1038/jid.2009.156
  • Watson REB, Ogden S, Cotterell LF, Bowden JJ, Bastrilles JY, Long SP, Griffiths CEM. (2009). Effects of a cosmetic 'anti-ageing' product on photoaged skin. Br J Dermatol, 161(2), eScholarID:1d32489 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09216.x

2008

  • REB Watson. (2008). The science of skin ageing. Presented at British Association of Dermatologists, Ageing skin: Insight & interventions. Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Manchester, UK. eScholarID:107922
  • R Akhtar, MJ SHerratt, N Bierwisch, B Derby, PM Mummery, REB Watson, N Schwarzer. (2008). Nanoindentation of histological specimens using an extension of the Oliver and Pharr method. Proceedings of the Materials Research Society, eScholarID:107984 | DOI:10.1557/PROC-1097-GG01-09
  • R Akhtar, N Schwarzer, MJ Sherratt, REB Watson, HK Graham, AW Trafford, PM Mummery, B Derby. (2008). Nanoindentation of histological specimens: Mapping the elastic properties of soft tissues. Journal of Material Research, eScholarID:107988 | DOI:10.1557/jmr.2009.0130
  • Watson REB, Long S, Bowden J, Bastrilles J, Barton S, Griffiths C. (2008). Repair of photoaged dermal matrix by topical application of a cosmetic 'antiageing' product. Br J Dermatol, 158( 3), 472-7. eScholarID:1d17393 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08364.x

2007

  • Farwick M, Watson REB, Rawlings A, Wollenweber U, Lersch P, Bowden JJ, Bastrilles J, Griffiths CEM. (2007). Salicyloyl-phytosphingosine: a novel agent for the repair of photoaged skin. Int J Cosmet Sci, 29( 4), 319-29. eScholarID:1d18119 | DOI:10.1111/j.1467-2494.2007.00394.x
  • M Schmuth, Watson REB, D Deplewski, S Dubrac, SS Zouboulis, Griffiths CEM. (2007). Nuclear hormone receptors in human skin. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 39, 96-105. eScholarID:1d15818
  • Watson REB, R Poddar, JM Walker, I McGuill, LM Hoare, Griffiths CEM, O'Neill CA. (2007). Altered claudin expression is a feature of chronic plaque psoriasis. Journal of Pathology, 212, 450-8. eScholarID:1d15823

2006

  • Plant D, Watson REB, Young H, Worthington J, Griffiths CEM. (2006). The CX3CL1-CX3CR1 system and psoriasis. Experimental Dermatology, 15 (11), 900-903. eScholarID:1d13538
  • RCC Brooke, A Sinha, MK Sidhu, REB Watson, MK Church, PS Friedmann, GF Clough, LE Rhodes. (2006). Histamine is released following ALA-PDT of human skin and mediates an ALA dose-related immediate inflammatory response. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 126, 2296-2301. eScholarID:107996
  • Tsoureli-Nikita E, Watson REB, Griffiths CEM. (2006). Photoageing: The darker side of the sun. Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 5, eScholarID:1d11086
  • REB Watson. (2006). Stretching the point: An association between the occurrence of striae and pelvic relaxation? Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 126, eScholarID:107995

2005

  • Watson REB, Griffiths CEM. (2005). Pathogenic aspects of cutaneous photoageing. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 4, eScholarID:1d11085

2004

  • H Shahbakhti, Watson REB, RM Azurdia, CZ Ferreira, M Garmyn, Rhodes LE. (2004). Influence of eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, on ultraviolet-B generation of prostaglandin-E2 and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in human skin in vivo. Photochem Photobiol, 80 (2), 231-235. eScholarID:1d9648
  • Watson REB, JA Ratnayaka, RCC Brooke, S Yee-Sit-Ye, P Ancian, Griffiths CEM. (2004). Retinoic acid receptor alpha expression and cutaneous ageing. Mechanism of Ageing and Development, 125, 465-473. eScholarID:1d7821

2003

  • Little M, Griffiths CEM, Watson REB, Pemberton MB, Thornhill M. (2003). Oral mucosal keratinocytes express RANTES and ICAM-I but not interleukin-8, in oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid reactions induced by amalgam fillings. Clinical & Experimental Dermatology, 28, 64-69. eScholarID:1d24268

2002

  • Campbell L, Ladler P, Watson REB, B Kirby, Griffiths CEM, M Gumbleton. (2002). Down-regulation and altered spatial pattern of Caveolin-1 in chronic plaque-type psoriasis. British Journal of Dermatology, 147, 701-709. eScholarID:1d6681
  • White A, Watson REB, Newman WG, Freemont AJ, Wallis GA. (2002). Annexin VIII is differentially expressed by chondrocytes in the mammalian growth plate during endochondral ossification and in osteoarthritic cartilage. J Bone Miner Res, 17( 10), 1851-8. eScholarID:1d9640 | DOI:10.1359/jbmr.2002.17.10.1851
  • Watson REB. (2002). Fibulin-2 and its association with fibrillin-rich microfibrils in the papillary dermis of photoaged skin. British Journal of Dermatology, 146, 712. eScholarID:17d770

2001

  • Little M, Watson REB, Pemberton MB, Griffiths CEM, Thornhill MH. (2001). Activation of oral keratinocytes by mercuric chloride: relevance to dental amalgam-induced oral lichenoid reactions. British Journal of Dermatology, 144, 1024-32. eScholarID:1d3067
  • Watson REB, Ball SG, Craven N, Boorsma J, East CL, Shuttleworth CC.A, Kielty CM, Griffiths CEM. (2001). Type VI collagen: Distribution and expression in photoaged skin. British Journal Of Dermatology, 144, eScholarID:1d23899
  • Watson REB, Craven N, Kang S, Jones CJP, Kielty CM, Griffiths CEM. (2001). A short-term screening protocol, using fibrillin-1 as a reporter molecule, for photoaging repair agents. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 116, 672-678. eScholarID:1d3063

1999

  • Watson REB, Griffiths CEM, Craven N, Shuttleworth CC.A, Kielty CM. (1999). Fibrillin-rich microfibrils are reduced in photoaged skin. Distribution at the dermal-epidermal junction. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 112, 782-787. eScholarID:1d3061

1998

  • Watson REB. (1998). All-trans retinoic acid compromises desmosome expression in human epidermis. British Journal of Dermatology, 139, 577-584. eScholarID:1d12152
  • Watson REB. (1998). Fibrillin microfibrils are reduced in skin exhibiting striae distensae. British Journal of Dermatology, 138, 931-937. eScholarID:1d12151

1997

  • Watson REB. (1997). Clinical features of photodamaged human skin relate to reduction in collagen VII. British Journal of Dermatology, 137, 344-350. eScholarID:1d12150

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