CV Science

Martin Higgs PhD Virology

Course and current status

Post-Doctoral Fellow: 2008 - Present

French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U955, Créteil, France

"Investigating the molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV-infected individuals"

• Using in vivo and in vitro models of HCV infection to investigate the molecular mechanisms of liver tumourigenesis.
• Expression analyses (qPCR, immunoblotting, 2D-DIGE), promoter methylation studies, reporter assays, siRNA studies, immunofluorescence, tumoural analyses.
• Project conception, finance and planning, data keeping, implementation of individual research.
• Creation and maintenance of international collaborations.
• Grant writing: securing funding for both projects and equipment. Negotiation of prices and discounts with suppliers.
• Presentation of data at national and international seminars and meetings.
• Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students within laboratory. Design, development and supervision of individual projects.

PhD: 2003 - 2008

Medical Research Council (MRC) Virology Unit and University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

"The role of the herpes simplex virus type 1 UL33 protein in DNA packaging"

• Generation of panels of mutants and subsequent analysis: immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, DNA packaging and viral replication assays.
• Maintenance of lab records, project management, logical planning and implementation of individual research.
• Critical appraisal of scientific literature; thesis writing.
• Presentation of data at seminars, conferences and meetings.
• Supervision of postgraduate colleagues within laboratory.

Research Technician: 2003 - 2004

University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

• Cloning and expression of fusion proteins of GBVB p13 gene.
• Sequencing of HCV-infected patient isolates using RT-PCR.
• Maintenance of lab records, presentation of data, planning individual research.

Scientific summary

I am particularly interested in the effects of chronic viral infection on the development and acceleration of tumourigenesis.

My experiences during post-graduate and post-doctoral research have reinforced my ultimate ambition to direct a research group.