University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is the second-largest university in the UK, with over 30,000 students, and 3,000 researchers across nine faculties. It is rated in the top ten research universities in the UK, with annual research income exceeding €100M. Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine (http://limm.leeds.ac.uk/) is dedicated to defining the molecules involved in human diseases and using this knowledge to develop novel therapies and new drugs

The Mesenchymal Stem Cell Group within the Section of Musculoskeletal Diseases at LIMM is one of the UK’s leading research teams investigating the biology of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vivo. The Leeds group were the world’s first to discover MSCs in joint (synovial) fluid and to purify MSCs from the bone marrow using a combination of magnetic beads and multiparameter cell sorting. The group’s aim is to utilize the knowledge on the in vivo biology of MSCs in different tissues in order to develop novel approaches for the treatment of arthritic and bone diseases, including in situ tissue engineering.

The Leeds team is co-led by Professor Denis McGonagle and Dr Elena Jones.

Prof. McGonagle FRCPI PhD is a Professor of Investigative Rheumatology at LIMM. He has published widely on stem cells and musculoskeletal medicine and is a subeditor of Arthritis & Rheumatism. He has an active research programme on the microanatomical basis for osteoarthritis, utilizing MRI imaging and microanatomy studies. Prof McGonagle has spoken at numerous international meetings, had an input into the UK stem cell initiative, and has witnessed the stem cell work in Leeds being adopted by Industry for purification of stem cells.


Elena Jones PhD s a Lecturer in Rheumatology who has been working in stem cell biology area for over 10 years and has established core technologies for the Leeds MSC group including MSC purification, culture, and differentiation. She represents University of Leeds at UKNSCN, BITEG and Regener8; reviews for MRC, BBSRC, arc, Arthritis and Rheumatism, Stem Cells and many other journals.

Sarah Churchman, PhD is a post-doctoral scientist with 6 years experience. Her areas of research include the molecular biology of musculoskeletal diseases, most recently focusing on the use of MSCs in tissue repair. With broad experience in molecular biology, she has particular expertise in real-time PCR techniques.

Sally Boxall, PhD is a post-doctoral scientist with 5 years experience in the areas of haematopoietic stem cells and immunology. With broad knowledge of cell biology, she has particular expertise in flow cytometric techniques including rare event analysis and cell sorting.

UL in PurStem
UL contributes to all the scientific work carried out within the project. A particular focus is isolation of MSCs using microbeads, comparing cell surface markers of in-vivo and in-vitro-cultured MSCs, and comparing the osteogenic potential of ‘fresh’ (non cultured) and cultured MSCs.