Dr April Rees

Lecturer in Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences

april.rees@swansea.ac.uk

Basic Welsh Speaker

Open Plan Office - 203
Second Floor
Institute of Life Science 1
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4408-634X

ResearchGate

Scopus

About

April is a monocyte immunologist, but also has an interest in T-cells. April was awarded a PhD from Swansea University Medical School in 2022 investigating the metabolic and immunologic adaptations during pregnancy. April has a strong interest in studying the immunological adaptation of various conditions, including pregnancy and reproductive disorders.

April utilises novel mass spectrometry and spectroscopy techniques to try and unveil blood-based biomarkers. Her overall goal is to translate the research towards a clinical setting, developing improved diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Areas Of Expertise

Immunology
Immunometabolism
Pregnancy
Reproductive disorders, eg, endometriosis and PCOS
Autoimmunity
Monocytes
Obstetric conditions, eg, gestational diabetes
Novel blood-based diagnostics

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

April lectures on the Genetics and Biochemistry BSc and MSci degree programmes, as well as the Biomedical Sciences MSc degree. Specifically, April utilises the symbiotic relationship between teaching and research, contributing to immunology, biochemistry, chemistry, and reproductive biology lectures. She effectively teaches by bridging the gap from classroom to lab and has successfully supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate research projects. Several students have contributed as named authors on scientific papers and have gone on to study medicine or pursue a further research career with a PhD.

Research Collaborations

Publications

Research Highlights

Rees, A., Jenkins, B., Angelini, R., Davies, L., Cronin, J., Jones, N., & Thornton, C. (n.d.) Immunometabolic adaptation in monocytes underpins functional changes during pregnancy.. iScience
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109779, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66076
Rees, A., Scott, L., Bryant, A., Rees, A., Down, B., Jones, R., & Thornton, C. (2017). Production and regulation of interleukin-1 family cytokines at the materno-fetal interface. Cytokine, 99, 194-202.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2017.07.005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34588
Jones, N., Blagih, J., Zani, F., Rees, A., Hill, D., Jenkins, B., Bull, C., Moreira, D., Bantan, A., Cronin, J., Avancini, D., Jones, G., Finlay, D., Vousden, K., Vincent, E., & Thornton, C. (2021). Fructose reprogrammes glutamine-dependent oxidative metabolism to support LPS-induced inflammation. Nature Communications, 12(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21461-4, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56336
Rees, A., Turner, S., & Thornton, C. (2021). Potential protective effects of breast milk and amniotic fluid against novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 through decoy receptors. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 33(1)
https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.13672, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58308
Jenkins, B., Rees, A., Jones, N., & Thornton, C. (2021). Does Altered Cellular Metabolism Underpin the Normal Changes to the Maternal Immune System during Pregnancy?. Immunometabolism, 3(4), e210031
https://doi.org/10.20900/immunometab20210031, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58734
Rees, A., Richards, O., Chambers, M., Jenkins, B., Cronin, J., & Thornton, C. (2022). Immunometabolic adaptation and immune plasticity in pregnancy and the bi-directional effects of obesity. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 208(2), 132-146.
https://doi.org/10.1093/cei/uxac003, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60422
Rees, A., Richards, O., Allen-Kormylo, A., Jones, N., & Thornton, C. (2022). Maternal body mass index is associated with an altered immunological profile at 28 weeks of gestation. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 208(1), 114-128.
https://doi.org/10.1093/cei/uxac023, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60423
Rees, A., Edwards-I-Coll, Z., Richards, O., Raikes, M., Angelini, R., & Thornton, C. (2023). The dynamic inflammatory profile of pregnancy can be monitored using a novel lipid-based mass spectrometry technique. Molecular Omics, 19(4), 340-350.
https://doi.org/10.1039/d2mo00294a, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63196
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d2mo00294a
Jenkins, B., Blagih, J., Ponce Garcia, F., Canavan, M., Gudgeon, N., Eastham, S., Hill, D., Hanlon, M., Ma, E., Bishop, E., Rees, A., Cronin, J., Jury, E., Dimeloe, S., Veale, D., Thornton, C., Vousden, K., Finlay, D., Fearon, U...., & Jones, N. (2023). Canagliflozin impairs T cell effector function via metabolic suppression in autoimmunity. Cell Metabolism, 35(7), 1132-1146.e9.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2023.05.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63534
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2023.05.001
Yasim Farook, M., Croxford, Z., Morgan, S., Horlock, A., Holt, A., Rees, A., Jenkins, B., TSE, C., Stanton, E., Davies, D., Thornton, C., Jones, N., Sheldon, M., Vincent, E., & Cronin, J. (2024). Loss of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 supports proline-dependent proliferation and collagen biosynthesis in ovarian cancer. Molecular Metabolism, 81
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101900, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65663

All Research

Journal Articles

Yasim Farook, M., Croxford, Z., Morgan, S., Horlock, A., Holt, A., Rees, A., Jenkins, B., TSE, C., Stanton, E., Davies, D., Thornton, C., Jones, N., Sheldon, M., Vincent, E., & Cronin, J. (2024). Loss of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 supports proline-dependent proliferation and collagen biosynthesis in ovarian cancer. Molecular Metabolism, 81
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101900, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65663
Jenkins, B., Blagih, J., Ponce Garcia, F., Canavan, M., Gudgeon, N., Eastham, S., Hill, D., Hanlon, M., Ma, E., Bishop, E., Rees, A., Cronin, J., Jury, E., Dimeloe, S., Veale, D., Thornton, C., Vousden, K., Finlay, D., Fearon, U...., & Jones, N. (2023). Canagliflozin impairs T cell effector function via metabolic suppression in autoimmunity. Cell Metabolism, 35(7), 1132-1146.e9.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2023.05.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63534
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2023.05.001
Rees, A., Edwards-I-Coll, Z., Richards, O., Raikes, M., Angelini, R., & Thornton, C. (2023). The dynamic inflammatory profile of pregnancy can be monitored using a novel lipid-based mass spectrometry technique. Molecular Omics, 19(4), 340-350.
https://doi.org/10.1039/d2mo00294a, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63196
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d2mo00294a
Rees, A., Richards, O., Chambers, M., Jenkins, B., Cronin, J., & Thornton, C. (2022). Immunometabolic adaptation and immune plasticity in pregnancy and the bi-directional effects of obesity. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 208(2), 132-146.
https://doi.org/10.1093/cei/uxac003, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60422
Rees, A., Richards, O., Allen-Kormylo, A., Jones, N., & Thornton, C. (2022). Maternal body mass index is associated with an altered immunological profile at 28 weeks of gestation. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 208(1), 114-128.
https://doi.org/10.1093/cei/uxac023, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60423
Rees, A., Turner, S., & Thornton, C. (2021). Potential protective effects of breast milk and amniotic fluid against novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 through decoy receptors. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 33(1)
https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.13672, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58308
Jenkins, B., Rees, A., Jones, N., & Thornton, C. (2021). Does Altered Cellular Metabolism Underpin the Normal Changes to the Maternal Immune System during Pregnancy?. Immunometabolism, 3(4), e210031
https://doi.org/10.20900/immunometab20210031, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58734
Jones, N., Blagih, J., Zani, F., Rees, A., Hill, D., Jenkins, B., Bull, C., Moreira, D., Bantan, A., Cronin, J., Avancini, D., Jones, G., Finlay, D., Vousden, K., Vincent, E., & Thornton, C. (2021). Fructose reprogrammes glutamine-dependent oxidative metabolism to support LPS-induced inflammation. Nature Communications, 12(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21461-4, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56336
Rees, A., Scott, L., Bryant, A., Rees, A., Down, B., Jones, R., & Thornton, C. (2017). Production and regulation of interleukin-1 family cytokines at the materno-fetal interface. Cytokine, 99, 194-202.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2017.07.005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34588
Rees, A., Jenkins, B., Angelini, R., Davies, L., Cronin, J., Jones, N., & Thornton, C. (n.d.) Immunometabolic adaptation in monocytes underpins functional changes during pregnancy.. iScience
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109779, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66076

Taught Modules

EMB1010A Genetics/Biochemistry support tutorial

The aim of the support tutorial is to provide academic support and guidance to students on a year 1 Integrated programme with The College, Swansea University and the Department of Biochemistry.
PM-000 Foundation Biological Chemistry

The module aims to provide the student with a broad overview of biological chemistry, explain the differences between different classes of compounds from both a chemical perspective and a biological function emphasis. Students will appreciate the different functions of these bio-molecules and gain an understanding of key examples of each in relation to human biology.
PM-127 Energy and Metabolism: The Reactions of Life

This module provides an introduction to bioenergetics and the chemical structure of carbohydrates as well as a discussion of the central metabolic pathways by which energy from food is used to fuel the synthesis of the energy currency molecule ATP (with particular attention to glycolysis, the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation). The concept of tissue and organ specificity is introduced, and finally the role of the hormones insulin, glucagon, epinephrine, growth hormone, thyroid hormone and leptin in controlling these pathways and producing effects on the body is considered.
PM-130 Fundamental Research Skills

This module is designed to develop the skills required for students of biochemistry and genetics degree programmes. Students meet with their tutors and will be given a series of assignments designed to develop skills in key areas such as essay writing, presentations and general numeracy.
PM-150 Introductory Biochemistry

The module provides a broad study of the interactions between chemical processes and biological systems. It addresses the chemical processes used by organisms to utilize chemicals for energy production, structural functions and as building blocks of macromolecules.
PM-243 Clinical Biochemistry & Physiology

The module begins with a discussion of selected metabolic disorders of carbohydrate metabolism and their pathological consequences with particular emphasis on diabetes mellitus. The molecular mechanisms underlying polycystic ovarian syndrome are then considered. Next, there will be a discussion of the analytical tests used by the NHS to diagnose and monitor diseases such as diabetes (for instance the glycated haemoglobin or Hba1c test) how the test(s) can be affected by haemoglobinopathies and the length of time that has elapsed since someone has taken their medication. Finally the module reviews mechanisms of protein transport and their relevance to storage diseases.
PM-341 Human Biology and the Environment

This module is intended to provide an understanding of how our environmental factors impact on key aspects of human biology. Various environmental factors such as diet, stress, and pollution will be considered with a focus on their effects on epigenetics, inflammation, gut microbiota, mitochondrial health, and oxidative stress in non-communicable diseases in particular (e.g. chronic respiratory disease, cancer and metabolic disorders). The effect of extreme environments (e.g. altitude, space) and ageing on multiple organ systems will be considered. Students will gain practical experience in communicating these issues to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
PM-344 Capstone Project

The aim of this module is to provide a capstone experience to students¿ learning, through participating in their own enquiry-based research project, with guidance from an academic supervisor. The project may be laboratory or non-laboratory based, but it will always involve a research question that is drawn from the literature, and focused on a topic relevant to the life sciences. It will ask a research question and involve the critical analysis of research findings. Students will refine their oral and written communication skills to a graduate level through an oral presentation and dissertation on their research findings and conclusions.
PM-347 Human Immunopathology

The module aims to provide students with a greater understanding of the human immune system and the causes of a range of diseases associated with immune dysfunction including autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders and neurological conditions.
PM-352 Reproductive Biology and Medicine

This module is designed to provide students with knowledge of the biochemistry, physiology and pathology of human pregnancy, fetal development, parturition and menopause. Particular focus will be given to fertility treatments and pharmacological interventions of menopause. Lectures will cover a recap of endocrinology of reproduction, and provide details of assisted reproductive technologies. Lectures will be supported by case studies which include current clinical approaches used to treat infertility (both male and female) and menopause.

Public Engagements

April is active with public engagement and has participated in the Swansea Science Festival. She is also an active author on The Conversation, disseminating important information relating to her research interests.

https://theconversation.com/profiles/april-rees-775074/articles

Endometriosis: how the condition may be linked to the immune system

Endometriosis: su posible relación con el sistema inmunitario

Vaccinating mothers during pregnancy protects their babies from COVID

COVID vaccines are safe during pregnancy – but catching the virus isn’t

Breast milk can contain COVID antibodies – good news for babies

COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective for pregnant women and their babies – new study

Nuevo estudio: Las vacunas de COVID-19 son muy efectivas para las mujeres embarazadas y sus bebés

COVID-19 vaccines do not make women infertile

COVID-19 and pregnancy: what we know about what happens to your immune system

How pregnancy changes women’s metabolism and immune systems