Dr Jordanna Dally
Research Associate
- dallyj2@cardiff.ac.uk
- Room 5F.06, University Dental Hospital, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY
Overview
I am a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the Disease Mechanisms Group, led by Prof. Ryan Moseley. Primarily, my research focusses on mechanisms underlying wound healing responses in dermal/epidermal tissues during health & disease (normal skin, fibrotic skin, chronic skin wounds). By understanding these processes, our research group aims to develop novel therapeutics to promote tissue repair/regeneration & improved wound/scar tissue management in patients.
My current research involves the translational development of a novel class of natural & semi-synthetic epoxy-tiglianes, for the treatment of non-healing chronic skin wounds & dermal scarring/fibrosis, with industrial & academic collaborators based in Australia (Case Study).
My research interests also include oral mucosal wound healing mechanisms, natural products & traditional medicines as wound healing therapies, & the benefits of probiotic supplementation (nutraceuticals).
Biography
I graduated with a 2:1 BSc (Hons) degree in Biomedical Science from Plymouth University in 2012, before embarking on an MRes in Biomedical Research postgraduate degree at Cardiff University, from which I graduated with a Distinction in 2014. Subsequently, I commenced a QBiotics Group and Life Sciences Research Network Wales joint-funded PhD with Prof. Ryan Moseley at Cardiff University’s School of Dentistry in 2014. My PhD project investigated novel epoxy-tiglianes as modulators of dermal fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation, extracellular matrix formation/turnover, and scarring. I then undertook a Medical Research Council (MRC)-funded Research Assistant position (2017-18) before completing my PhD in 2018.
Following my PhD, I became involved in both academic and industrial research collaborations with Royal Botanical Gardens Kew (2018-19) and Cultech (2019), respectively. The latter collaboration led me to work as a Research Scientist within the nutritional supplement industry (Cultech, 2019-20), before embarking on a Dunhill Medical Trust (DMT)-funded Post-Doctoral Research Associate position at Cardiff University’s School of Dentistry (2021-present).
Qualifications
2018 - PhD (Wound Healing), Thesis entitled ‘Evaluation of Novel Epoxy-Tigliane Compounds as Modulators of Dermal Fibroblast-Myofibroblast Differentiation, Scar Tissue Resolution & Fibrosis; & Elucidation of Their Underlying Mechanisms of Action’. School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, UK.
2014 - MRes in Biomedical Research, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK.
2012 - BSc (Hons) Degree in Biomedical Science, Plymouth University, UK.
Honours and awards
2019 - Poster Prize. School of Dentistry Research Day, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
2017 - Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering & Repair (CITER) Travel Bursary (£922).
2015 - Oral Presentation Prize. 2nd Life Sciences Research Network Wales (LSRNW) Annual Scientific Meeting, Cardiff, UK.
2015 - Poster Prize. 30th Annual Medicine & Dentistry Postgraduate (PGR) Day, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
2015 - Poster Prize. 13th Annual Speaking of Science Conference, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Professional memberships
- Member of the European Tissue Repair Society (ETRS).
- Member of the Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER).
Academic positions
2021-present: Post-Doctoral Research Associate, funded by the Dunhill Medical Trust (DMT). Disease Mechanisms Group, Oral & Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, UK.
2017-18: Research Assistant, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). Stem Cells, Wound Repair & Regeneration Group, Oral & Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, UK.
Speaking engagements
2017 - Oral Presentation. 4th LSRNW Annual Scientific Meeting, Cardiff, UK.
2017 - Oral Presentation (Young Investigator Session). ETRS Conference, Brussels, BE.
2017 - Oral Presentation. CITER Annual Scientific Meeting, Cardiff, UK.
2017 - Oral Presentation. 32nd Annual Medicine & Dentistry PGR Day, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
2016 - Session Chair & Poster Judge. 3rd LSRNW Annual Scientific Meeting, Cardiff, UK.
2015 - Oral Presentation. 2nd LSRNW Annual Scientific Meeting, Cardiff, UK.
Committees and reviewing
2021-present: Lab Safety Committee, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, UK.
2022: Grant reviewer for 'Innovation for All' scheme, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, UK.
2015-16: CITER Society Committee, Cardiff University, UK.
2013-14: PGR Representative/Chair, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK.
Teaching
Postgraduate Teaching
MSc in Implantology
- Setting/assessing oral presentations & exam questions.
- Delivering lectures & revision tutorials on stem cells for the 'Cellular & Molecular Biology' module.
MSc in Oral Biology
- Supervision of lab-based research projects.
- Assessing oral presentations for the 'Stem Cells, Regenerative Medicine & Scientific Methods' module.
MSc in Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine
- Supervision of lab-based research projects.
- Assessing oral presentations for the 'Tissue Engineering from Concept to Clinical Practice' module.
Publications
Webberley, TS., Bevan, RJ., Kerry-Smith, J., Dally, J., Michael, DR., Thomas, S., Rees, M., Morgan, JE., Marchesi, JR., Good, MA., Plummer, SF., Wang, D., Hughes, TR. 2023. Assessment of Lab4P probiotic effects on cognition in 3xTg-AD Alzheimer’s disease model mice and the SH-SY5Y neuronal cell line. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054683.
Deli, J. González-Beiras, C., Guldan, GS. Moses, RL., Dally, J., Moseley, R., Lundy, FT., Corbacho-Monne, M., Walker, SL., Cazorla, MU., Ouchi, D., Fang, R., Briggs, M., Kiapranis, R., Yahimbu, M., Mitjà, O., Prescott, TAK. 2022. Ficus septica exudate, a traditional medicine used in Papua New Guinea for treating infected cutaneous ulcers: in vitro evaluation and clinical efficacy assessment by cluster randomised trial. Phytomedicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154026.
Webberley, TS., Masetti, G., Baker, LM., Dally, J., Hughes, TR., Marchesi, JR., Jack, AA., Plummer, SF., Ramanathan, G., Facey, PD., Michael, DR. 2021. The impact of Lab4 probiotic supplementation in a 90-day study in Wistar rats. Frontiers in Nutrition. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.778289.
Tai, Y., Woods, EL., Dally, J., Kong, D., Steadman, R., Moseley, R., Midgley, AC. 2021. Myofibroblasts: function, formation, and scope of molecular therapies for skin fibrosis. Biomolecules. DOI: 10.3390/biom11081095.
Moses, RL., Fang, R., Dally, J., Briggs, M., Lundy, FT., Kiapranis, R., Moseley, R., Prescott, TAK. 2020. Evaluation of Cypholophus macrocephalus sap as a treatment for infected cutaneous ulcers in Papua New Guinea. Fitoterapia. DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104554.
Moses, RL., Dally, J., Lundy, FT., Langat, M., Kiapranis, R., Tsolaki, AG., Moseley, R., Prescott, TAK. 2020. Lepiniopsis ternatensis sap stimulates fibroblast proliferation and down regulates macrophage TNF-α secretion. Fitoterapia. DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104478.
Dally, J., Khan, JS., Voisey, A., Charalambous, C., John, HL., Woods, EL., Steadman, R., Moseley, R., Midgley, A. 2017. Hepatocyte growth factor mediates enhanced wound healing responses and resistance to transforming growth factor-β1-driven myofibroblast differentiation in oral mucosal fibroblasts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. DOI: 10.3390/ijms18091843.