Dr Tomoko Iwata
- Senior Lecturer (Undergraduate Medical School)
telephone:
01413549438
email:
Tomoko.Iwata@glasgow.ac.uk
School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, Laboratory Medicine Building, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF
Biography
Dr Tomoko Iwata is a senior lecturer in Tumour Biology and Digital Pathology in University of Glasgow since 2002, with over 20 years of experience in research-led education. Dr Iwata obtained PhD in Biochemistry from ETH-Zurich in 1996, and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the NIH, USA, and Research Scientist at EMBL-Heidelberg and Max-Planck Institute in Germany. She is well-known for her work in the in vivo model with FGFR3 gene mutations in genetic diseases, as well as in pioneering expression microarrays and circulating tumour DNA-based biomarkers.
Dr Iwata’s current research interest is the use of multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF), RNAScope, and Digital Pathology image analysis to understand the role of FGFR3 signalling in regulation of inflammation in tumour immune microenvironment in urothelial cancers, with a goal to improve immunotherapy response with better biomarkers. Dr Iwata also contributes in the Innovate UK funded “Integrated TeChnologies for Improved Polyp SurveillancE (INCISE)” project that aims to better predict polyp recurrence, using mIF and Digital Pathology. In UG/PGT education, Dr Iwata incorporates stakeholder’s input in generating cross-disciplinary and technology-enhanced programmes in the areas of biomedical science and anatomy.
Dr Iwata is a Director of Postgraduate Research in School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, overseeing 120 PGR students, including NHS-based clinician students undertaking MD, PhD and MSc by Research. Dr Iwata served as an EDI lead in 2020-2022, and currently is a member of Athena Swan Aspiration and Development working group, committed to enhance student experience and inclusive culture.
Research interests
- Multiplex Immunofluorescence (mIF), RNAscope and quantitative pathology imaging analysis of tumour immune microenvironment
- Use of Spatial transcriptomics in understanding a driver role of FGFR3 in urothelial cancers
- Role of inflammation and its regulators in the recurrence of colorectal adenoma (INCISE)
Grants
Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.
- Use of cell-free plasma DNA as a biomarker of canine cancer
The Humanimal Trust
2017 - 2018
- Cortical Development Meeting (Crete) and ISDB/JSDB [International Society of Developmental Biologists/Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists] Meeting (Japan)
Scottish Stem Cell Network
2008 - 2008
- Control of cell cycle & apoptosis in cortical progenitors by Fgf receptor 3
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
2004 - 2007
Supervision
Amal Rahil Elgaddafi Yousef - PhD student
Resul Balci - PhD student
Abdulaziz Sharahili - PhD student
Ali Hakami - PhD student
Sara Al Badran - Medical Research Scotland (MRS)-funded PhD student, Co-supervisor
- Al Badran, Sara Samir Foad
Examining the colonic polyp microbiome and its association with future colorectal neoplasia risk in a bowel screening population
Teaching
- MSc Digital Cancer Technology, Digital Pathology and Image Analysis (BIOL5407)
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Targetting Cell Signalling (BScMedSci, Bench to Bedside Oncology specilalist course)
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Supervision of Laboratory Project - 111 projects supervised since 2014, including Pathological Society Elective Projects for Undergraduate Medicine