Staff Profile
Dr Ralf Kist
Senior Lecturer in Oral Biology
- Email: ralf.kist@ncl.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 8390
- Address: School of Dental Sciences
Oral Biology (Level 7, Room 7.020)
Biosciences Institute
Centre for Cancer
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Framlington Place
缅北禁地 upon Tyne, NE2 4BW
Introduction
I studied at the University of Freiburg, Germany and received a Diploma in Biology (equivalent to a BSc/MSc) in 1997. With a background in human genetics research, I became interested in developing mouse models for human diseases. During my PhD studies at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Health in Munich, I generated and characterised a mouse model for the skeletal malformation syndrome campomelic dysplasia. From 2001 to 2007, I worked as a research associate in the laboratory of Dr. Heiko Peters at the Institute of Human Genetics in 缅北禁地 where I focused on craniofacial and tooth development in mice. In 2007, I was awarded a University Research Fellowship to develop a research theme into genetic mechanisms of oral epithelial differentiation and disease. In 2010, I was appointed Lecturer in Oral Biology at the School of Dental Sciences.
Qualifications
1997 Diploma (BSc/MSc) in Biology (University of Freiburg, Germany)
2004 PhD in Genetics (University of Freiburg, Germany)
2016 Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Studies in Academic Practice (缅北禁地, UK)
Previous positions
2001-2007 Research Associate, Institute of Human Genetics, 缅北禁地, UK
2007-2009 University Research Fellow, Institute of Human Genetics, 缅北禁地, UK
2009-2010 Scientific Officer, Northgene Ltd, 缅北禁地 upon Tyne, UK
2010-2023 Lecturer in Oral Biology, School of Dental Sciences, 缅北禁地, UK
Area of expertise
Craniofacial and tooth development
Taste and filiform papilla development
Oral and tongue epithelial differentiation
Oral disease
Oral cancer
Memberships
International Association for Dental Research
The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Honours and Awards
2005 Mammalian Genome Prize, Mammalian Genetics and Development Workshop, London
2008 Poster Prize, Gordon Research Conference “Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration”, Lucca, Italy
2013 BDIAP Poster Prize, Edinburgh Pathology Meeting, Edinburgh
2017 Visiting Research Scholarship (3 months), Kyoto University, Japan
Google scholar:
SCOPUS:
Undergraduate Teaching
Stage 1 BDS courses: Cell Biology, Dental Physiology, Orientation and Study skills
Stage 1 BSc courses: Cellular Physiology
Stage 2 BDS course: Craniofacial and Tooth Biology course leader
Board of Examiners (Stage 1 and Stage 2)
Personal Tutor for BDS students (all stages)
Supervisor of Biomedical Sciences BSc Research Projects (CMB3000)
Postgraduate Teaching
MRes Oral and Dental Sciences: Programme leader and MMB8051 module leader
Orthodontic Postgraduate Craniofacial Study Day
Esteem Indicators
2013: Nomination for 缅北禁地 Teaching Excellence Award ('Taught Supervisor of the Year')
2016: Shortlisted for 缅北禁地 Teaching Excellence Award ('Taught Supervisor of the Year')
2016: Nomination for 缅北禁地 Teaching Excellence Award ('Innovative Teaching Methods')
2016: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
2017: Nomination for 缅北禁地 Teaching Excellence Award ('Outstanding Contribution to Teaching; FMS')
2018: Nomination for 缅北禁地 Teaching Excellence Award ('Outstanding Contribution to Teaching; FMS')
2021: Winner of 缅北禁地 Teaching Excellence Award ('Taught Supervisor of the Year')
2025: Advance Higher Education Certificate - Professional Development Course for External Examiners
Research Interests
Craniofacial and tooth development
Taste and filiform papilla development
Cell differentiation of the oral and tongue epithelium
Genetic mechanisms of oral disease and cancer
Current Research
The epidermis of the skin and the epithelia lining the tongue and oral cavity are classified as stratified squamous epithelia and develop from a common embryological origin, the ectoderm. However, their individual characteristics and functions are substantially different suggesting that different genetic pathways regulate this regional specification. For example, the epidermis contains hair whereas filiform and taste papillae develop on the dorsal surface of the tongue. These ‘mini organs’ are comprehensively termed ectodermal appendages and their formation is regulated by reciprocal molecular interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells. In contrast to the intensive research efforts to understand skin development and disease, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control epithelial cell differentiation of the tongue and oral mucosa. As a consequence, the genetic causes or risk factors for many oral diseases have not yet been identified.
My research focuses on the identification of genes and the analysis of their interactions and functions during development and differentiation of the tongue and oral epithelium. We compare normal and abnormal formation of oral tissues in mice and humans using histology, molecular biology, transcriptomic profiling and imaging techniques. This work will lead to a better understanding of the causes of oral diseases and oral cancer and could eventually be used to develop novel or refined diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches.
Collaborations
Dr Max Robinson, 缅北禁地 upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Prof Nick Jakubovics, School of Dental Sciences
Dr Richard Holliday, School of Dental Sciences
Prof Neil Rajan, Translational and Clinical Research Institute
Other Expertise
I have extensive experience in mouse genetics and the generation and analysis of disease models. In my laboratory, we use a wide range of techniques such as standard molecular biology techniques, transcriptomic profiling (DNA microarrays, RNA-Sequencing, Nanostring nCounter), quantitative real-time PCR, histology, RNA in situ hybridisation, immunohistochemical staining; microscopy and image analysis, (embryonic stem) cell culture, tissue micro-dissection and organ culture.
Postgraduate Research Student Supervision
PhD Students
MRes Students
Research Administration
Dental School Research Executive Committee
FMS PGR Committee
Postgraduate Research Student Coordinator for School of Dental Sciences
Esteem Indicators
Editor: Scientific Reports
Reviewer for various journals: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/1343100
Funding
缅北禁地 Healthcare Charity
The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
NIHR
Myrovlytis Trust
NIHR 缅北禁地 Biomedical Research Centre
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Articles
- Holliday R, Wilson N, Ryan V, Butcher C, Homer T, Watts P, Kareithi D, Blaylock P, Ternent L, Finch R, Bissett S, Todd A, Hancock H, Ellwood F, Conway D, Jakubovics N, Kist R, Holmes R, Bauld L, Preshaw P. . Trials 2025, 26, 261.
- Trogisch FA, Abouissa A, Keles M, Birke A, Fuhrmann M, Dittrich GM, Weinzierl N, Wink E, Cordero J, Elsherbiny A, Martin-Garrido A, Grein S, Hemanna S, Hofmann E, Nicin L, Bibli SI, Airik R, Kispert A, Kist R, Quanchao S, Kürschner SW, Winkler M, Gretz N, Mogler C, Korff T, Koch PS, Dimmeler S, Dobreva G, Heineke J. . Science Translational Medicine 2024, 16(736), eabq4581.
- Sathasivam HP, Kist R, Sloan P, Thomson P, Nugent M, Alexander J, Haider S, Robinson M. . British Journal of Cancer 2021, 125, 413-421.
- Holliday R, Chaffee BW, Jakubovics NS, Kist R, Preshaw PM. . Journal of Dental Research 2021, 100(9), 906-913.
- Khasawneh RR, Kist R, Queen R, Hussain R, Coxhead J, Schneider JE, Mohun TJ, Zaffran S, Peters H, Phillips HM, Bamforth SD. . BMC Developmental Biology 2021, 21, 14.
- Sathasivam HP, Casement J, Bates T, Sloan P, Thomson P, Robinson M, Kist R. . Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine 2020, 50(1), 60-67.
- Nakatomi M, Ludwig KU, Knapp M, Kist R, Lisgo S, Ohshima H, Mangold E, Peters H. . Development 2020, 147(21), dev189175.
- Arai HN, Sato F, Yamamoto T, Woltjen K, Kiyonari H, Yoshimoto Y, Shukunami C, Akiyama H, Kist R, Sehara-Fujisawa A. . Cell Reports 2019, 29(3), 603-616.e5.
- Scharf GM, Kilian K, Cordero J, Wang Y, Grund A, Hofmann M, Froese N, Wang X, Kispert A, Kist R, Conway SJ, Geffers R, Wollert KC, Dobreva G, Bauersachs J, Heineke J. . JCI Insight 2019, 4(15), e126721.
- Phillips HM, Stothard CA, Shaikh Qureshi WM, Kousa AI, BrionesLeon JA, Khasawneh RR, Sanders R, O'Loughlin C, Mazzotta S, Dodds R, Seidel K, Bates T, Nakatomi M, Cockell SJ, Schneider JE, Mohun TJ, Maehr R, Kist R, Peters H, Bamforth SD. . Development 2019, 146, dev177618.
- Xiong Z, Ren S, Chen H, Liu Y, Huang C, Zhang YL, Odera JO, Chen T, Kist R, Peters H, Garman K, Sun Z, Chen X. . Journal of Pathology 2018, 244(2), 164-175.
- Holliday R, Kist R, Bauld L, Preshaw PM. . Oral Diseases 2017, 23(8), 1180-1181.
- Feederle R, Gerber JK, Middleton A, Northrup E, Kist R, Kremmer E, Peters H. . Monoclonal Antibodies in Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy 2016, 35(5), 259-262.
- Holliday R, Kist R, Bauld L. . Evidence-Based Dentistry 2016, 17, 2-3.
- Bates T, Kennedy M, Diajil A, Goodson M, Thomson P, Doran E, Farrimond H, Thavaraj S, Sloan P, Kist R, Robinson M. . Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention 2016, 25(6), 927-935.
- Masuda T, Wahlin K, Wan J, Hu JF, Maruotti J, Yang X, Iacovelli J, Wolkow N, Kist R, Dunaief JL, Qian J, Zack DJ, Esumi N. . Journal of Biological Chemistry 2014, 289(18), 12908-12921.
- Kist R, Watson M, Crosier M, Robinson M, Fuchs J, Reichelt J, Peters H. . PLoS Genetics 2014, 10(10), e1004709.
- Sugimoto Y, Takimoto A, Akiyama H, Kist R, Scherer G, Nakamura T, Hiraki Y, Shukunami C. . Development 2013, 140(11), 2280-2288.
- Yusuf D, Butland SL, Swanson MI, Bolotin E, Ticoll A, Cheung WA, Zhang XY, Dickman CT, Fulton DL, Lim JS, Schnabl JM, Ramos OH, Vasseur-Cognet M, de Leeuw CN, Simpson EM, Ryffel GU, Lam EW, Kist R, Wilson MS, Marco-Ferreres R, Brosens JJ, Beccari LL, Bovolenta P, Benayoun BA, Monteiro LJ, Schwenen HD, Grontved L, Wederell E, Mandrup S, Veitia RA, Chakravarthy H, Hoodless PA, Mancarelli M, Torbett BE, Banham AH, Reddy SP, Cullum RL, Liedtke M, Tschan MP, Vaz M, Rizzino A, Zannini M, Frietze S, Farnham PJ, Eijkelenboom A, Brown PJ, Laperriere D, Leprince D, de Cristofaro T, Prince KL, Putker M, Del Peso L, Camenisch G, Wenger RH, Mikula M, Rozendaal M, Mader S, Ostrowski J, Rhodes SJ, VanRechem C, Boulay G, Olechnowicz SW, Breslin MB, Lan MS, Nanan KK, Wegner M, Hou J, Mullen RD, Colvin SC, Noy PJ, Webb CF, Witek ME, Ferrell S, Daniel JM, Park J, Waldman SA, Peet DJ, Taggart M, Jayaraman PS, Karrich JJ, Blom B, Vesuna F, O'Geen H, Sun Y, Gronostajski RM, Woodcroft MW, Hough MR, Chen E, Europe-Finner N, Karolczak-Bayatti M, Bailey J, Hankinson O, Raman V, Lebrun DP, Biswal S, Harvey CJ, Debruyne JP, Hogenesch JB, Hevner RF, Heligon C, Luo XM, Blank MC, Millen KJ, Sharlin DS, Forrest D, Dahlman-Wright K, Zhao C, Mishima Y, Sinha S, Chakrabarti R, Portales-Casamar E, Sladek FM, Bradley PH, Wasserman WW. . Genome Biology 2012, 13(3), R24.
- Aust JG, Gays F, Hussain F, Butcher GW, Kist R, Peters H, Brooks CG. . Journal of Immunology 2011, 186(4), 2013-2023.
- Trowe MO, Shah S, Petry M, Airik R, Schuster-Gossler K, Kist R, Kispert A. . Developmental Biology 2010, 342(1), 51-62.
- Airik R, Trowe MO, Foik A, Farin HF, Petry M, Schuster-Gossler K, Schweizer M, Scherer G, Kist R, Kispert A. . Human Molecular Genetics 2010, 19(24), 4918-4929.
- Nakatomi M, Wang XP, Key D, Lund JJ, Turbe-Doan A, Kist R, Aw A, Chen YP, Maas RL, Peters H. . Developmental Biology 2010, 340(2), 438-449.
- Hargus G, Kist R, Kramer J, Gerstel D, Neitz A, Scherer G, Rohwedel J. . International Journal of Developmental Biology 2008, 52(4), 323-332.
- Ehrmann I, Dalgliesh C, Tsaousi A, Paronetto MP, Heinrich B, Kist R, Cairns P, Li W, Mueller C, Jackson M, Peters H, Nayernia K, Saunders P, Mitchell M, Stamm S, Sette C, Elliott DJ. . Human Molecular Genetics 2008, 17(18), 2803-2818.
- Bastide P, Darido C, Pannequin J, Kist R, Robine S, Marty-Double C, Bibeau F, Scherer G, Joubert D, Hollande F, Blache P, Jay P. . Journal of Cell Biology 2007, 178(4), 635-648.
- Lincoln J, Kist R, Scherer G, Yutzey KE. . Developmental Biology 2007, 305(1), 120-132.
- Seymour PA, Freude KK, Tran MN, Mayes EE, Jensen J, Kist R, Scherer G, Sander M. . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2007, 104(6), 1865-1870.
- Kist R, Greally E, Peters H. . Genesis 2007, 45(7), 460-464.
- Barrionuevo F, Bagheri-Fam S, Klattig J, Kist R, Taketo MM, Englert C, Scherer G. . Biology of Reproduction 2006, 74(1), 195-201.
- Kist R, Watson M, Wang X, Cairns P, Miles C, Reid DJ, Peters H. . Human Molecular Genetics 2005, 14(23), 3605-3617.
- Perl A-KT, Kist R, Shan Z, Scherer G, Whitsett JA. . Genesis: The Journal of Genetics and Development 2005, 41(1), 23-32.
- Jonker L, Kist R, Aw A, Wappler I, Peters H. . Mechanisms of Development 2004, 121(11), 1313-1322.
- Kist R, Schrewe H, Balling R, Scherer G. . Genesis: The Journal of Genetics and Development 2002, 32(2), 121-123.
- Pfeifer D, Kist R, Dewar K, Devon K, Lander ES, Birren B, Korniszewski L, Back E, Scherer G. . American Journal of Human Genetics 1999, 65(1), 111-124.
- Pusch C, Hustert E, Pfeifer D, Sudbeck P, Kist R, Roe B, Wang Z, Balling R, Blin N, Scherer G. . Human Genetics 1998, 103(2), 115-123.
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Review
- Chen X, Li Y, Paiboonrungruang C, Li Y, Peters H, Kist R, Xiong Z. . International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2022, 23(10), 5589.