Dr Helen Roberts

(nee Owen) BSc(Hons), PhD, PGCertHE, SFHEA

ROLE: Associate Professor in Skeletal Cancer Research

SCHOOL: Science & Technology

DEPARTMENT: Natural Sciences

TELEPHONE: +44 (0)20 8411 2114

EMAIL: H.Roberts@mdx.ac.uk

Biography &
Qualifications

Dr Helen Roberts (nee Owen) gained a PhD from the University of Glasgow whilst based at the Roslin Institute, where she investigated the molecular events surrounding steroid-induced skeletal growth retardation. Following this, Dr Roberts moved to the University of Sheffield where she investigated epigenetic biomarkers which were able to predict cancer progression. She has since coordinated research projects both at KU Leuven in Belgium, where she researched the role of epigenetics and autophagy in critical illness-induced bone loss, and at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry where she used genome-wide molecular profiling to identify epigenetic biomarkers associated with inflammation and immune suppression in critically ill patients. Dr Roberts is currently Associate Professor in Skeletal Cancer Research at Middlesex University, and coordinates a research track investigating the regulation of aberrant cellular behaviour and subsequent skeletal tissue morbidity. She has a particular interest in the role of epigenetics and autophagy in the regulation of osteosarcoma metastasis and chemoresistance.

Languages Spoken
Learning &
Teaching Interests

Dr Roberts is Programme Leader for the Faculty of Science and Technology Foundation Programme, and Director of Programmes (Quality Enhancement) for the Department of Natural Sciences. Dr Roberts also contributes to the teaching of epignetics, physiology, pharmacology, molecular biology and cell biology on undergraduate and postgraduate modules, and supervises a number of undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MSc, MRes and PhD) research projects.
Research Outputs &
Interests

Research Interests

Dr Roberts coordinates a research track investigating the epigenetic regulation of aberrant cellular behaviour and subsequent skeletal tissue morbidity. She has a particular interest in the role of epigenetics and autophagy in the regulation of osteosarcoma metastasis and chemoresistance. Google Scholar Profile

ORCHID ID

Publons ID

Current Research Students

PhD: Daniela Paternina Martinez

MRes: Bipusha Tha Shretha, Akashdeep Ganguly, Eriola Diku

Past Research Students

PhD: Kaan Low, Janice Pereira

MRes: Gabriel Rosa, Dewa Zazai, Ivan Punev, Charlotte New, Aine Pears, Yathushigan Kulatheepan

Publications

Identifying Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 as a Mediator of Periosteal Osteochondral Differentiation through the Construction of microRNA-Based Interaction Networks

Wells, L. M., Roberts, H. C., Luyten, F. P. and Roberts, S. J Identifying Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 as a Mediator of Periosteal Osteochondral Differentiation through the Construction of microRNA-Based Interaction Networks. Biology.

A machine learning‑based image segmentation method to quantify in vitro osteoclast culture endpoints

Davies, B.K., Hibbert, A.P., Roberts, S.J., Roberts, HC., Tickner, J.C., Holdsworth, G., Arnett, T.R. and Orriss, I.R. 2023. A machine learning‑based image segmentation method to quantify in vitro osteoclast culture endpoints. Calcified Tissue International and Musculoskeletal Research. 113 (4), p. 437–448.

Establishment and characterization of single and triple‐agent resistant osteosarcoma cell lines

Low, K., Hills, F., Roberts, HC. and Stordal, B. 2023. Establishment and characterization of single and triple‐agent resistant osteosarcoma cell lines. Advanced Biology. 7 (2). https://doi.org/10.1002/adbi.202200194

Intentionality for inclusivity - the journey at Middlesex University

Roberts, H.C, Punev, I., Allardyce, D., Kyprianou, A., Appiah, S., Megeney, A., Calin, A., Gallacher, D. and Mill, R. 2022. Intentionality for inclusivity - the journey at Middlesex University. McGraw Hill.

Decellularised cartilage ECM culture coatings drive rapid and robust chondrogenic differentiation of human periosteal cells

Vas, W., Shah, M., Roberts, HC. and Roberts, S. 2022. Decellularised cartilage ECM culture coatings drive rapid and robust chondrogenic differentiation of human periosteal cells. Bioengineering. 9 (5), pp. 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9050203

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

Klionsky, D., Roberts, H. and et al. 2021. Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition). Autophagy. 17 (1), pp. 1-382. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2020.1797280

Mapping human serum–induced gene networks as a basis for the creation of biomimetic periosteum for bone repair

Roberts, H. Mapping human serum–induced gene networks as a basis for the creation of biomimetic periosteum for bone repair. Cytotherapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.03.434

The combination of curcumin and doxorubicin shows a selective cytotoxic effect on acute myeloid leukaemia cell line

Hasan, N., Roberts, H., Ghali, L. and Appiah, S. 2018. The combination of curcumin and doxorubicin shows a selective cytotoxic effect on acute myeloid leukaemia cell line. NCRI Cancer Conference (2018). Glasgow, Scotland 04 - 06 Nov 2018

MicroRNA profiles are associated with lymphocyte count after a major traumatic injury: a potential role for immunometabolism?

Jones, T., Torrance, H., Roberts, H., Brohi, K., Barnes, M., Knight, J., Hinds, C., Ackland, G. and O'Dwyer, M. 2018. MicroRNA profiles are associated with lymphocyte count after a major traumatic injury: a potential role for immunometabolism? British Journal of Anaesthesia Research Forum. Royal College of Anaesthetists, London 30 - 31 May 2018 Elsevier. pp. e23-e24 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2018.05.027

Features of Postoperative Immune Suppression Are Reversible With Interferon Gamma and Independent of Interleukin-6 Pathways.

Roberts, H. Features of Postoperative Immune Suppression Are Reversible With Interferon Gamma and Independent of Interleukin-6 Pathways. Annals of surgery. https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0000000000001484

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome After Major Abdominal Surgery Predicted by Early Upregulation of TLR4 and TLR5.

Roberts, H. Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome After Major Abdominal Surgery Predicted by Early Upregulation of TLR4 and TLR5. Annals of surgery. https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0000000000001248

The perioperative immune response.

Roberts, H. The perioperative immune response. Current opinion in critical care. https://doi.org/10.1097/mcc.0000000000000213

Changes in gene expression following trauma are related to the age of transfused packed red blood cells.

Roberts, H. Changes in gene expression following trauma are related to the age of transfused packed red blood cells. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery. https://doi.org/10.1097/ta.0000000000000534

T-helper cell polarisation following severe polytrauma.

Torrance, Hdt, Brohi, K, Warnes, G, Owen, H C, Hinds, C J, Pennington, D J, O'Dwyer, M J and Roberts, H. T-helper cell polarisation following severe polytrauma. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental. https://doi.org/10.1186/2197-425x-3-s1-a848

The Role of Micrornas in The Development of Hospital Acquired Infection in Polytrauma Patients.

Owen, H C, Torrance, Hdt, Barnes, M R, Brohi, K, Knight, J C, Hinds, C J, O'Dwyer, M J and Roberts, H. The Role of Micrornas in The Development of Hospital Acquired Infection in Polytrauma Patients. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental. https://doi.org/10.1186/2197-425x-3-s1-a35

Association Between Early Postoperatively Elevated TLR-4 & TLR-5 Gene Expression and Late Nosocomial Infection in Elective High-Risk Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery

Pirmadjid, N., Torrance, H. D. T., Owen, H. C., Alazawi, W., O'Dwyer, M. J. and Roberts, H. Association Between Early Postoperatively Elevated TLR-4 & TLR-5 Gene Expression and Late Nosocomial Infection in Elective High-Risk Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery. British Journal of Surgery.

Epigenetic regulatory pathways involving microRNAs may modulate the host immune response following major trauma

Owen, Helen C., Torrance, Hew D. T., Jones, Timothy F., Pearse, Rupert M., Hinds, Charles J., Brohi, Karim, O'Dwyer, Michael J. and Roberts, H. Epigenetic regulatory pathways involving microRNAs may modulate the host immune response following major trauma. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1097/ta.0000000000000850

Hypermethylation of CpG Islands and Shores around Specific MicroRNAs and Mirtrons Is Associated with the Phenotype and Presence of Bladder Cancer

Dudziec, Ewa, Miah, Saiful, Choudhry, Hani M. Z., Owen, Helen C., Blizard, Sheila, Glover, Maggie, Hamdy, Freddie C., Catto, James W. F. and Roberts, H. Hypermethylation of CpG Islands and Shores around Specific MicroRNAs and Mirtrons Is Associated with the Phenotype and Presence of Bladder Cancer. Clinical Cancer Research. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-2017

LOW FREQUENCY OF EPIGENETIC EVENTS IN UROTHELIAL TUMOURS FROM YOUNG PATIENTS

Catto, J. W. F., Owen, H. C., Giedl, J., Wild, P. J., Fine, S. W., Epstein, J. I., Humphrey, P. A., Dehner, L. P., Amin, M. B., Blaszyk, H., Hughes, D., Hartmann, A., Stoehr, R. and Roberts, H. LOW FREQUENCY OF EPIGENETIC EVENTS IN UROTHELIAL TUMOURS FROM YOUNG PATIENTS. European Urology Supplements. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1569-9056(10)60798-1

Distinct MicroRNA Alterations Characterize High- and Low-Grade Bladder Cancer

Catto, James W. F., Miah, Saiful, Owen, Helen C., Bryant, Helen, Myers, Katie, Dudziec, Ewa, Larre, Stephane, Milo, Marta, Rehman, Ishtiaq, Rosario, Derek J., Di Martino, Erica, Knowles, Margaret A., Meuth, Mark, Harris, Adrian L., Hamdy, Freddie C. and Roberts, H. Distinct MicroRNA Alterations Characterize High- and Low-Grade Bladder Cancer. Cancer Research. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-0744

Identification and functional involvement of lipocalin 2 in glucocorticoid-induced growth retardation

Owen, H. C., Ahmed, S. F., Farquharson, C. and Roberts, H. Identification and functional involvement of lipocalin 2 in glucocorticoid-induced growth retardation. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

The role of P21CIP1/WAF1 in glucocorticoid induced growth retardation

Owen, H. C., Ahmed, S. F., Farquharson, C. and Roberts, H. The role of P21CIP1/WAF1 in glucocorticoid induced growth retardation. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Identification of lipocalin 2, a novel glucocorticoid responsive gene in growth plate chondrocytes

Owen, H. C., Ahmed, S. F., Farquharson, C. and Roberts, H. Identification of lipocalin 2, a novel glucocorticoid responsive gene in growth plate chondrocytes. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Glucocorticoids stimulate p21 expression in growth plate chondrocytes

Owen, HC, Ahmed, SF, Farquharson, C and Roberts, H. Glucocorticoids stimulate p21 expression in growth plate chondrocytes. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Glucocorticoids induce lipocalin 2 gene expression in growth plate chondrocytes.

Owen, H. C., Ahmed, S. F., Farquharson, C. and Roberts, H. Glucocorticoids induce lipocalin 2 gene expression in growth plate chondrocytes. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

The role of the 11 beta HSD shuttle in modulating the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on the growth plate.

MacRae, V. E., Owen, H. C., Ahmed, S. F., Farquharson, C. and Roberts, H. The role of the 11 beta HSD shuttle in modulating the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on the growth plate. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Low, Kaan, Hills, Frank , Roberts, Helen C. and Stordal, Britta K. (2022) Establishment and characterization of single and triple‐agent resistant osteosarcoma cell lines. Advanced Biology . [Article] (Published online first) (doi:10.1002/adbi.202200194)

Vas, Wollis J., Shah, Mittal, Roberts, Helen C. and Roberts, Scott J. (2022) Decellularised Cartilage ECM Culture Coatings Drive Rapid and Robust Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Periosteal Cells. Bioengineering . ISSN 2306-5354.

Klionsky, Daniel J., Roberts, Helen C. and et, al. (2021) Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition). Autophagy 17(1):1-382.

Al Hosni, Rawiya , Shah, Mittal , Cheema, Umber , Roberts, Helen C., Luyten, Frank P. and Roberts, Scott J. (2020) Mapping human serum induced gene networks as a basis for the creation of biomimetic periosteum for bone repair. Cytotherapy 22(8):424-435. ISSN 1465-3249.

Vas, Wollis J. and Shah, Mittal and Al Hosni, Rawiya and Owen, Helen C. and Roberts, Scott J. (2017) Biomimetic strategies for fracture repair: engineering the cell microenvironment for directed tissue formation. Journal of Tissue Engineering, 8 . pp. 1-14. ISSN 2041-7314

Owen, Helen C. and Appiah, Sandra S. and Hasan, Noor and Ghali, Lucy and Elayat, Ghada and Bell, Celia M. (2017) Phytochemical modulation of apoptosis and autophagy: strategies to overcome chemoresistance in leukaemic stem cells in the bone marrow microenvironment. International Review of Neurobiology, 135:249-278. Elsevier | Academic Press. ISBN 9780128117798. doi: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.02.012.

Lahiri, Rajiv and Derwa, Yannick and Bashir, Zora and Giles, Edward and Torrance, Hew D. T. and Owen, Helen and O'Dwyer, Michael J. and O'Brien, Alastair and Stagg, Andrew J. and Bhattacharya, Satyajit and Foster, Graham R. and Alazawi, William (2016) Systemic inflammatory response syndrome after major abdominal surgery predicted by early upregulation of TLR4 and TLR5. Annals of surgery, 263 (5). pp. 1028-1037. ISSN 0003-4932

Owen, Helen and Torrance, Hew D. T. and Jones, Timothy F. and Pearse, Rupert M. and Hinds, Charles J. and Brohi, Karim andO'Dwyer, Michael J. (2015) Epigenetic regulatory pathways involving microRNAs may modulate the host immune response following major trauma. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, 79 (5). pp. 766-772. ISSN 2163-0763

Longbottom, E. Rebecca and Torrance, Hew D. T. and Owen, Helen and Fragkou, Paraskevi C. and Hinds, Charles J. and Pearse, Rupert M. and O'Dwyer, Michael J. (2015) Features of postoperative immune suppression are reversible with interferon gamma and independent of interleukin-6 pathways. Annals of surgery, 264(2):370-7. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001484.

Longbottom, E. R. and Torrance, H. D. T. and Owen, Helen and Hinds, C. J. and Pearse, R. M. and O'Dwyer, M. J. (2015) Post-operative immune suppression is reversible with interferon gamma and independent of IL-6 pathways. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 3 . ISSN 2197-425X

Torrance, H. D. T. and Brohi, K. and Warnes, G. and Owen, Helen and Hinds, C. J. and Pennington, D. J. and O'Dwyer, M. J. (2015) T-helper cell polarisation following severe polytrauma. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 3 . ISSN 2197-425X

Owen, Helen and Torrance, H. D. T. and Barnes, M. R. and Brohi, K. and Knight, J. C. and Hinds, C. J. and O'Dwyer, M. J. (2015) The role of micrornas in the development of hospital acquired infection in polytrauma patients. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 3 . ISSN 2197-425X

O'Dwyer, Michael J. and Owen, Helen and Torrance, Hew D. T. (2015) The perioperative immune response. Current opinion in critical care, 21 (4). pp. 336-42. ISSN 1531-7072

Owen, Helen and Vanhees, Ineke and Gunst, Jan and Van Cromphaut, Sophie and Van den Berghe, Greet (2015) Critical illness-induced bone loss is related to deficient autophagy and histone hypomethylation. Intensive care medicine experimental, 3 (1). p. 52. ISSN 2197-425X

Torrance, Hew D. T. and Vivian, Mark E. and Brohi, Karim and Prowle, John R. and Pearse, Rupert M. and Owen, Helen and Hinds, Charles J. and O'Dwyer, Michael J. (2015) Changes in gene expression following trauma are related to the age of transfused packed red blood cells. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, 78 (3). pp. 535-42. ISSN 2163-0763

Fragkou, Paraskevi C. and Torrance, Hew D. and Pearse, Rupert M. and Ackland, Gareth L. and Prowle, John R. and Owen, Helen andHinds, Charles J. and O'Dwyer, Michael J. (2014) Perioperative blood transfusion is associated with a gene transcription profile characteristic of immunosuppression: a prospective cohort study. Critical care, 18 (5). ISSN 1364-8535

Roberts, Scott J. and Owen, Helen and Tam, Wai Long and Solie, Lien and Van Cromphaut, Sophie J. and Van den Berghe, Greet andLuyten, Frank P. (2014) Humanized culture of periosteal progenitors in allogeneic serum enhances osteogenic differentiation and in vivo bone formation. Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 3 (2). pp. 218-28. ISSN 2157-6564

Vanhees, I. and Gunst, J. and Janssens, T. and Wauters, A. and Van Herck, E. and Van Cromphaut, S. and Van den Berghe, G. and Owen, Helen (2013) Enhanced immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling is related to pathological bone resorption during critical illness. Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et métabolisme, 45 (12). pp. 862-9. ISSN 1439-4286

Owen, Helen and Vanhees, Ineke and Solie, Lien and Roberts, Scott J. and Wauters, Andy and Luyten, Frank P. and Van Cromphaut, Sophie and Van den Berghe, Greet (2012) Critical illness-related bone loss is associated with osteoclastic and angiogenic abnormalities.Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 27 (7). pp. 1541-52. ISSN 1523-4681

Dudziec, Ewa and Miah, Saiful and Choudhry, Hani M Z and Owen, Helen and Blizard, Sheila and Glover, Maggie and Hamdy, Freddie C and Catto, James W F (2011) Hypermethylation of CpG islands and shores around specific microRNAs and mirtrons is associated with the phenotype and presence of bladder cancer. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, 17 (6). pp. 1287-96. ISSN 1078-0432

Owen, Helen and Giedl, J. and Wild, Peter J. and Fine, Samson W. and Humphrey, Peter A. and Dehner, Louis P. and Amin, Mahul B.and Epstein, Johnathan I. and Blaszyk, H. and Hughes, David and Hartmann, Arndt and Stoehr, Robert and Catto, James W. (2010)Low frequency of epigenetic events in urothelial tumors in young patients. The Journal of urology, 184 (2). pp. 459-63. ISSN 1527-3792

Catto, James W. F. and Miah, Saiful and Owen, Helen and Bryant, Helen and Myers, Katie and Dudziec, Ewa and Larré, Stéphane andMilo, Marta and Rehman, Ishtiaq and Rosario, Derek J. and Di Martino, Erica and Knowles, Margaret A. and Meuth, Mark and Harris, Adrian L. and Hamdy, Freddie C. (2009) Distinct microRNA alterations characterize high- and low-grade bladder cancer. Cancer research, 69 (21). pp. 8472-81. ISSN 1538-7445

Owen, Helen and Ahmed, S. F. and Farquharson, C. (2009) Chondrocyte p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression is increased by dexamethasone but does not contribute to dexamethasone-induced growth retardation in vivo. Calcified tissue international, 85 (4). pp. 326-34. ISSN 1432-0827

Roberts, Scott J. and Owen, Helen and Farquharson, Colin (2008) Identification of a novel splice variant of the haloacid dehalogenase: PHOSPHO1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 371 (4). pp. 872-6. ISSN 1090-2104

Owen, Helen and Roberts, S. J. and Ahmed, S. F. and Farquharson, C. (2008) Dexamethasone-induced expression of the glucocorticoid response gene lipocalin 2 in chondrocytes. American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism, 294 (6). E1023-34. ISSN 0193-1849

Owen, Helen and Miner, J. N. and Ahmed, S. F. and Farquharson, C. (2007) The growth plate sparing effects of the selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator, AL-438. Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 264 (1-2). pp. 164-70. ISSN 0303-7207

View more publications
Funded Research &
Knowledge Exchange Projects
- Bone Cancer Research Trust: ‘MicroRNA regulation of autophagy-induced chemoresistance in osteosarcoma’ (‘Strictly Research’ Award Winner; Principal Inverstigator; 2017). Find out more about the project here.
- PetPlan Charitable Trust: Mechanisms of chemoresistance in canine osteosarcoma (Principal Investigator; 2018; in collaboration with Dr. Richard Meeson, Royal Veterinary College, London).
- Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony Charity: Delineating the metastatic process in osteosarcoma: the role of bone cells, the cell environment and autophagy (Principal Investigator; 2021; in collaboration with Dr Scott Roberts, Royal Veterinary College, London). Find out more about the project here.
Engagement &
Impact
- Member of the Bloomsbury Centre for Skeletal Research.
- Scientific advisory board member for the Osteosarcoma charity 'Wilberry's Research'.
- Regular reviewer of scientific manuscripts and grant proposals for funding bodies such as the Medical Research Council, the Bone Cancer Research Trust and Children with Cancer UK.
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- One of the Founding Members of the Primary Bone Cancer Metastasis Network (PBCMetNet): The first ever pre-clinical collaboration aimed at understanding and developing treatments for osteosarcoma metastasis. More information can be found at PBCMetNet

Dr Helen Roberts

Biography &Qualifications

Languages Spoken

Learning &Teaching Interests

Research Outputs &Interests

Funded Research &Knowledge Exchange Projects

Engagement &Impact

In this section

Biography &
Qualifications

Learning &
Teaching Interests

Research Outputs &
Interests

Funded Research &
Knowledge Exchange Projects

Engagement &
Impact