Staff Profile
Dr Amy Bowman
Research Associate
- Email: amy.bowman@ncl.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 7189
- Address: Dermatological Sciences
2nd Floor William Leech Building
Translational and Clinical Research Institute
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Newcastle University
NE2 4HH
Background
Position
I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate based within Dermatological Sciences, Newcastle University.
Current Work
My current research involves testing the ability of various compounds to prevent UV-induced genetic damage in human skin cells, by testing levels of damage within the mitochondrial DNA following UV exposure.
Qualifications
2006 - Biomedical Sciences (BSc Honours), Newcastle University
2009 - Medical and Molecular Biosciences (MRes), Newcastle University
2010 - Doctor of Philosophy in the Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University: 'Investigating the Role of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Activity and Mitochondrial DNA Damage in Skin Ageing'
Research
My past research has mainly focused on the effects of ageing and UV-induced damage on human skin cells, with a focus on the mitochondria. It has included the investigation of mitochondrial bioenergetic differences in skin cells from differently aged individuals in the presence of certain compounds, to see if these provide any improvements. This was done by analysing the rates of activity and gene expression of the individual mitochondrial complexes, as well as overall mitophagy levels, and mitochondrial DNA damage.
I have also studied the ability of different compounds (such as plant and berry extracts, various analogues, and creams containing various SPF levels) to protect against mitochondrial DNA damage following UV radiation, as well as the effects of these compounds on factors such as telomerase length and reactive oxygen species production. I have examined the effects of specific compounds on respiration rates following decreases in mitochondrial respiration induced by UV, infrared radiation, or hydrogen peroxide, using a Seahorse analyser.
Other research includes investigating the link between an antioxidant-rich diet and oxidative stress levels and mitochondrial DNA damage in the body.
Publications
- Clifford T, Bowman A, Capper T, Allerton DM, Foster E, Birch-Machin M, Lietz G, Howatson G, Stevenson EJ. A pilot study investigating reactive oxygen species production in capillary blood after a marathon and the influence of an antioxidant-rich beetroot juice. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism 2018, 43(3), 303-306.
- Zakaria NNA, Okello EJ, Howes M-J, Birch-Machin MA, Bowman A. In vitro protective effects of an aqueous extract of Clitoria ternatea L. flower against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity and UV-induced mtDNA damage in human keratinocytes. Phytotherapy Research 2018, 32(6), 955-1144.
- Bowman A, Oblong JE, Rovito HA, Birch-Machin MA. Nicotinamide enhances mitochondrial function in human skin cells. In: Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2018, Orlando, Florida: Elsevier.
- Bowman A, Birch-Machin MA. Age-Dependent Decrease of Mitochondrial Complex II Activity in Human Skin Fibroblasts. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2016, 136(5), 912-9.
- Bowman A, Matts PJ, Neuser F, Birch-Machin MA. Cosmetic sunscreen formulations provide protection against UVR-induced mitochondrial DNA damage in human skin cells. In: 2016 SID Annual Meeting. 2016, Arizona, USA: Elsevier.
- Bowman A, Birch-Machin MA. Mitochondrial Complex Activity and Skin Ageing. Household and Personal Care Today 2016, 11(6), 50-53. In Preparation.
- Hudson L, Bowman A, Rashdan E, Birch-Machin MA. Mitochondrial damage and ageing using skin as a model organ. Maturitas 2016, 93, 34-40.
- Bowman A, Birch-Machin MA. Oxidative stress and ageing. British Journal of Dermatology 2016, 175 Suppl 2, 26-29.
- Bowman A, Birch-Machin MA. Mitochondrial DNA as a biosensor of UV exposure in human skin. Methods in Molecular Biology 2015, 1265, 379-88.
- Kandola K, Bowman A, Birch-Machin MA. Oxidative stress - a key emerging impact factor in health, ageing, lifestyle and aesthetics. International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2015, 37(Supplement S2), 1-8.
- Boulton SJ, Bowman A, Koohgoli R, Birch-Machin MA. Skin manifestations of mitochondrial dysfunction: more important than previously thought. Experimental Dermatology 2015, 24(1), 12-3.
- Bowman A, Birch-Machin MA, Lietz G. The Effect Of Nutritional Intervention On Blood Oxidative Stress Levels. In: International Society of Antioxidants in Nutrition and Health 15th International Antioxidants Congress. 2015, Paris, France.
- Bowman A, Anderson A, Manning P, Birch-Machin M. Applicability of dermoscopy for evaluation of patients' response to nonablative therapies for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma. In: British Society of Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting. 2014, Newcastle upon Tyne: Wiley-Blackwell.
- Martinez-Levasseur LM, Gendron D, Knell RJ, O'Toole EA, Singh M, Bowman A, Birch-Machin MA, Acevedo-Whitehouse K. Responses to acute sun exposure in large whales. In: McGraw-Hill Education Yearbook of Science and Technology Textbook. McGraw-Hill Professional, 2014, pp.325-327.
- Anderson A, Bowman A, Manning P, Birch-Machin MA, Boulton SJ. The roles of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in UVA-induced oxidative stress in human skin cells compared to other cell types. Redox Biology 2014, 2, 1016-1022.
- Bowman A, Martinez-Levasseur L, Acevedo-Whitehouse K, Gendron D, Birch-Machin MA. The simultaneous detection of mitochondrial DNA damage from sun-exposed skin of three whale species and its association with UV-induced microscopic lesions and apoptosis. Mitochondrion 2013, 13(4), 342-349.
- Martinez-Levasseur L, Birch-Machin MA, Bowman A, Gendron D, Weatherhead E, Knell R, Acevedo-Whitehouse K. Whales Use Distinct Strategies to Counteract Solar Ultraviolet Radiation. Nature Scientific Reports 2013, 3, 2386.
- Bowman A, Martinez-Levasseur L, Acevedo-Whitehouse K, Gendron D, Birch-Machin M. Mitochondrial DNA, a reliable biomarker for measuring the effect of cumulative ultraviolet irradiation exposure in whales (cetaceans). In: British Society for Investigative Dermatology Meeting. 2012, Exeter: Wiley-Blackwell.
- Oyewole A, Bowman A, Rogers T, Birch-Machin MA. The role, mechanism and protective effects of dietary antioxidants in human skin subjected to inducers of oxidative stress. In: British Journal of Dermatology. 2011.