Newcastle University

Current Work

I underwent basic surgical training in the Newcastle region followed by an MD at Newcastle University researching the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer spread into bone. This project involved the creation of an in vitro model of the bone microenvironment. The experience gained from this has already been transferred into modelling the cartilage microenvironment for the assessment of the cellular mechanisms involved in osteoarthritis.

Following my appointment as lecturer in April 2009 I have been developing research proposals for the in vitro investigation of osteosarcoma and the assessment of a novel blood test as an early warning marker of joint arthroplasty infection.
Away from work I enjoy the vast range of outdoor and cultural activities on offer in the North East including swimming in the sea and music concerts at the Sage or the Cluny.

• Rankin KS, Starkey M, Lunec J, Gerrand CH, Murphy S, Biswas S. Of Dogs and Men: Comparative Biology as a Tool for the Discovery of Novel Biomarkers and Drug Development Targets in osteosarcoma. Pediatric Blood & Cancer 2011, (epub ahead of print).
• Rankin KS, Lakey RL, Gerrand CH, Sprowson AP, McCaskie AW, Birch MA. A Novel in Vitro Model to Investigate Behavior of Articular Chondrocytes in Osteoarthritis. Journal of Rheumatology 2010, 37(2), 426-431.
• Sprowson AP, Rankin K, Shand JE, Ferrier G. Common peroneal and posterior tibial nerve damage, a rare cause. Foot and Ankle Surgery 2010, 16(2), 16-17.
• Rankin KS, Lakey RL, Gerrand CH, Sprowson AP, McCaskie AW, Birch MA. A novel in vitro model of osteoarthritis facilitates improved understanding of human articular chondrocyte behaviour. In: Calcified Tissue International: Abstracts Presented at the Bone Research Society Meeting. 2008, Manchester, UK: Springer New York LLC.
• Rankin KS, Gerrand CH, Lakey RL, Sprowson AP, McCaskie AW, Birch MA. Hypoxia facilitates bone invasion by increasing breast cancer cell expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1. In: Calcified Tissue International: Abstracts Presented at the Bone Research Society Meeting. 2008, Manchester, UK: Springer New York LLC.
• Mahadeva D, Rankin KS, Muller SD. Skin moisturisers and surgical site preparation: a slippery problem?. Journal of Hospital Infection 2007, 67(4), 386-388.
• Rankin, K.S., Gerrand, C.H., McCaskie, A.W., Birch, M.A. Hypoxia and substratum dependent behaviour of breast cancer cells in the bone microenvironment. Cancer Treatment Reviews 2006, 32(Supplement 3), 42.