Jonathan Gibbins
Jonathan Gibbins gained his PhD in molecular endocrinology in under the mentorship of Prof Phil Lowry, where he gained an interest in cell signalling, a field that at that time was expanding rapidly. He then moved to the laboratory of Prof Steve Watson, then in Oxford, to pursue this interest where he was introduced to the study of platelets and the regulation of their function. His work with Steve was instrumental in establishing GPVI as the collagen receptor on platelets that regulates platelet activation, and initial steps in signalling pathways that this controls. In 1998 Jon moved to the University of Reading to establish his own research group. His work has led to the characterisation of inhibitory immune-receptor signalling mediated suppression of platelet function, and the discovery of the role of secreted chaperone proteins in the modulation of platelet receptor function. He discovered a critical role for gap junction mediated intercellular signalling in the process of platelet thrombus formation, and the ability of a range in intracellular receptors to control platelet function through non-genomic mechanisms. His work blends cell and molecular studies with the use of animal models of disease, and clinical studies. Jon is Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Reading where he is also director of the Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research.