Phil Knight
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+44 (0) 118 378 8017
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Professor
- Director of Research
Teaching
- Part 1: Pathology: Introduction to Human Disease
- Part 2: Endocrinology; Immunology
- Part 3: Mammalian Reproduction; Selected Topics in Endocrinology and Endocrine Disease; Therapeutics 3; Cancer.
Research centres and groups
Member of the Impact, Enterprise and Outreach
- Case Studies: Development of an ultra-sensitive immunoassay for Inhibin-A and its utility as a clinical screening marker for Down's syndrome.
- Joint Holder of licensed patent (GB 97/01880; Diagnosis of Pre-eclampsia)
- Purification of bioactive protein for a commercial supplier
Research projects
- Funding primarily from BBSRC, MAFF (now DEFRA);
- 13 major grants (£3.3M) over career; PI on 10 successive BBSRC grants (1987-2012).
- Supervision of 20 PhD and 2 MSc students
- Understanding the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and regulation of fertility in mammals and birds
- Interactions between endocrine and intra-ovarian factors that regulate ovarian follicle development and steroidogenesis (primarily bovine model).
- Development of immunoassays for bioactive peptides, proteins and steroids
- Purification of ovarian peptides (inhibins, activins, follistatins)
Awards and honours
Esteem Factors
- H-index 40
- 13 invited conference presentations
- Editorial Board, Journal of Endocrinology journal (1992-2005)
- BBSRC Animal Sciences Committee (co-opted member 2001-2005)
- MAFF Research and Development Review Panel: Reproduction (1998)
- BBSRC targeted priority studentship committee member (2006)
- External referee for BBSRC and MRC - Quinquennial assessment of the Human Reproductive Sciences
- Patent with ISIS Innovation Ltd, University of Reading and Oxford Brookes University. Inventors: Groome, Knight, Ledger, Muttukrishna and Redman. Title of patent: 'Diagnosis of Pre-Eclampsia'. British Patent Application number 9614615.4, International Patent Application on the above patent (PCT/GB97/01880). The Patent was licenced by Oxford Bio-Innovations
Professional bodies/affiliations
International Collaborators
- Prof JH Roche (UCD; Dublin)
- Prof JJ Ireland (MSU, Michigan, USA)
- Dr JC Mariana and Dr M Blanc (INRA, Nouzilly, France)
- Dr D Vanmontfort and Prof E DeKuypere (Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium)
- Dr TJ Parkinson (Massey University, New Zealand)
- Dr AC Evans (UCD, Dublin)
- Dr W Holtz (University of Goettingen, Germany)
- Dr R Butler (Cornell University, USA)
- Professor V Padmanabahn (University of Michigan, USA)
- Prof RJ Rodgers (University of Adelaide, Australia)
- Prof R Ivell (Leibnitz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Dumersdorf, Germany)
- Dr RA Bathgate (Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Australia)
National Collaborators
- Prof NP Groome (Oxford Brookes)
- Dr M Mihm (Glasgow University)
- Dr PA Fowler and Prof Alan Templeton (Aberdeen University)
- Dr JE Webley and Prof JP Hearn (Institute of Zoology, London)
- Dr HM Charlton, FRS and Dr M Abel (Oxford University)
- Prof Sir N Wald (St Barts, London)
- Dr J Lockwood (Oxford University)
- Prof WR Robertson (University of Manchester)
Websites/blogs
Study for a PhD with Professor Phil Knight
Publications
- Mattar, D. , Cheewasopit, W. , Samir, M. , Knight, P. (2023) Does kisspeptin exert a local modulatory effect on bovine ovarian steroidogenesis?. Reproduction & Fertility , 4 (1). ISSN: 2633-8386 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/RAF-22-0088
- Mattar, D. , Samir, M. , Laird, M. , Knight, P. (2020) Modulatory effects of TGF-β1 and BMP6 on thecal angiogenesis and steroidogenesis in the bovine ovary. Reproduction , 159 (4). pp. 397-408. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-19-0311
- Laird, M. , Glister, C. , Cheewasopit, W. , Satchell, L. , Bicknell, A. , Knight, P. (2019) ‘Free’ inhibin α subunit is expressed by bovine ovarian theca cells and its knockdown suppresses androgen production. Scientific Reports , 9 ISSN: 2045-2322 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55829-w
- Glister, C. , Regan, S. , Samir, M. , Knight, P. (2019) Gremlin, noggin, chordin and follistatin differentially modulate BMP induced suppression of androgen secretion by bovine ovarian theca cells. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology , 62 (1). pp. 15-25. ISSN: 0952-5041 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/JME-18-0198
- Regan, S. , Knight, P. , Yovich, J. , Arfuso, F. , Dharmarajan, A. (2018) Growth hormone during in vitro fertilization in older women modulates the density of receptors in granulosa cells, with improved pregnancy outcomes. Fertility and Sterility , 110 (7). pp. 1298-1310. ISSN: 0015-0282 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.08.018
- Cheewasopit, W. , Laird, M. , Glister, C. , Knight, P. (2018) Myostatin is expressed in bovine ovarian follicles and modulates granulosal and thecal steroidogenesis. Reproduction , 156 (4). pp. 375-386. ISSN: 1741-7899 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-18-0114
- Regan, S. , Knight, P. , Yovich, J. , Leung, Y. , Arfuso, F. , Dharmarajan, A. (2018) Granulosa cell apoptosis in the ovarian follicle - a changing view. Frontiers in Endocrinology , 9 ISSN: 1664-2392 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00061
- Regan, S. , Knight, P. , Yovich, J. , Leung, Y. , Arfuso, F. , Dharmarajan, A. (2018) Involvement of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP) in the regulation of ovarian function. In: Litwack, G. , (eds.) Ovarian Cycle. Vitamins and Hormones Vitamins and hormones (107). pp. 227-261. ISSN: 0083-6729 ISBN: 9780128143599 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.vh.2018.01.015
- Regan, S. , Knight, P. , Yovich, J. , Stanger, J. , Leung, Y. , Arfuso, F. , Almahbobi, G. , Dharmarajan, A. (2018) The effect of ovarian reserve and receptor signalling on granulosa cell apoptosis during human follicle development. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology , 470 pp. 219-227. ISSN: 0303-7207 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2017.11.002
- Samir, M. , Glister, C. , Mattar, D. , Laird, M. , Knight, P. (2017) Follicular expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL6) and their receptors in cattle: TNFα, IL6 and macrophages suppress thecal androgen production in vitro. Reproduction , 154 (1). pp. 35-49. ISSN: 1471-7899 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-17-0053
- Hatzirodos, N. , Glister, C. , Hummitzsch, K. , Irving-Rodgers, H. , Knight, P. , Rodgers, R. (2017) Transcriptomal profiling of bovine ovarian granulosa and theca interna cells in primary culture in comparison with their in vivo counterparts. PLoS ONE , 12 (3). ISSN: 1932-6203 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173391
- Regan, S. , Knight, P. , Yovich, J. , Stanger, J. , Leung, Y. , Arfuso, F. , Dharmarajan, A. , Almahbobi, G. (2017) Infertility and ovarian follicle reserve depletion are associated with dysregulation of the FSH and LH receptor density in human antral follicles. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology , 446 pp. 40-51. ISSN: 0303-7207 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2017.02.007
- Regan, S. , Knight, P. , Yovich, J. , Stanger, J. , Leung, Y. , Arfuso, F. , Dharmarajan, A. , Almahbobi, G. (2016) Dysregulation of granulosal bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B density is associated with reduced ovarian reserve and the age-related decline in human fertility. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology , 425 pp. 84-93. ISSN: 1872-8057 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2016.01.016
- Glister, C. , Sunderland, S. , Boland, M. , Ireland, J. , Knight, P. (2015) Comparison of bioactivities, binding properties and intra-follicular levels of bovine follistatins. Reproduction , 150 (2). pp. 85-96. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-15-0086
- Knight, P. and Glister, C. (2014) Theca cells and the regulation of ovarian androgen production. In: Juengel, J. , Miyamoto, A. , Price, C. , Reynolds, L. , Smith, M. , Webb, R. , (eds.) Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants. Bioscientifica Proceedings , VIII. Context , Ashby de la Zouche. pp. 295-310. ISBN: 9781899043637 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/biosciprocs.8.021
- Glister, C. , Hatzirodos, N. , Hummitzsch, K. , Knight, P. , Rodgers, R. (2014) The global effect of follicle-stimulating hormone and tumour necrosis factor α on gene expression in cultured bovine ovarian granulosa cells. BMC Genomics , 15 (1). ISSN: 1471-2164 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-15-72
- Anand-Ivell, R. , Tremellen, K. , Dai, Y. , Heng, K. , Yoshida, M. , Knight, P. , Hale, G. , Ivell, R. (2013) Circulating insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) in healthy and infertile women. Human reproduction , 28 (11). pp. 3093-3102. ISSN: 1460-2350 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det349
- Glister, C. , Satchell, L. , Bathgate, R. , Wade, J. , Dai, Y. , Ivell, R. , Anand-Ivell, R. , Rodgers, R. , Knight, P. (2013) A functional link between bone morphogenetic proteins and insulin-like peptide 3 signaling in modulating ovarian androgen production. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America , 110 (15). pp. E1426-E1435. ISSN: 0027-8424 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1222216110
- Satchell, L. , Glister, C. , Bleach, E. , Glencross, R. , Bicknell, A. , Dai, Y. , Anand-Ivell, R. , Ivell, R. , Knight, P. (2013) Ovarian expression of insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) and its receptor (RXFP2) during development of bovine antral follicles and corpora lutea and measurement of circulating INSL3 levels during synchronized estrous cycles . Endocrinology , 154 (5). pp. 1897-1906. ISSN: 1945-7170 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2012-2232
- Glister, C. , Satchell, L. , Michael, A. , Bicknell, A. , Knight, P. (2012) The anti-epileptic drug Valproic Acid (VPA) inhibits steroidogenesis in bovine theca and granulosa cells in vitro. PLoS ONE , 7 (11). pp. e49553. ISSN: 1932-6203 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0049553
- Holtz, W. , Wang, X. , El-Gayar, M. , Knight, P. (2012) The effect of exogenous gonadotropins on ovarian function in goats actively immunized against inhibin. Theriogenology , 77 (12). pp. 253-259. ISSN: 0093-691X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.07.037
- Knight, P. , Satchell, L. , Glister, C. (2012) Intra-ovarian roles of activins and inhibins. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology , 359 (1-2). pp. 53-65. ISSN: 0303-7207 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2011.04.024
- Glister, C. , Satchell, L. , Knight, P. (2011) Granulosal and thecal expression of bone morphogenetic protein- and activin-binding protein mRNA transcripts during bovine follicle development and factors modulating their expression in vitro. Reproduction , 142 (4). pp. 581-591. ISSN: 1741-7899 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-11-0150
- Glister, C. , Satchell, L. , Knight, P. (2010) Changes in expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), their receptors and inhibin co-receptor betaglycan during bovine antral follicle development: inhibin can antagonize the suppressive effect of BMPs on thecal androgen production. Reproduction , 140 (5). pp. 699-712. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-10-0216
- Wang, . , El-Gayar, . , Knight, . , Holtz, . (2009) The long-term effect of active immunization against inhibin in goats. Theriogenology , 71 (2). pp. 318-322. ISSN: 0093-691X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.07.024
- Knight, . , Al-Musawi, . , Lovell, . , Gladwell, . (2009) Control of follicular development: intra-ovarian actions of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b) superfamily members. In: Hocking, . , (eds.) Biology of Breeding Poultry. CAB International , Wallingford. pp. 89-107. ISBN: 9781845933753
- Kayani, . , Glister, . , Knight, . (2009) Evidence for an inhibitory role of bone morphogenetic protein(s) in the follicular-luteal transition in cattle. Reproduction , 137 (1). pp. 67-78. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep-08-0198
- Ireland, . , Zielak-Steciwko, . , Jimenez-Krassel, . , Folger, . , Bettegowda, . , Scheetz, . , Walsh, . , Mossa, . , Knight, . , Smith, . , Lonergan, . , Evans, . (2009) Variation in the ovarian reserve Is linked to alterations in intrafollicular estradiol production and ovarian biomarkers of follicular differentiation and oocyte quality in cattle. Biology of Reproduction , 80 (5). pp. 954-964. ISSN: 0006-3363 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.108.073791
- Veiga-Lopez, . , Ye, . , Phillips, . , Herkimer, . , Knight, . , Padmanabhan, . (2008) Developmental programming: Deficits in reproductive hormone dynamics and ovulatory outcomes in prenatal, testosterone-treated sheep. Biology of Reproduction , 78 (4). pp. 636-647. ISSN: 0006-3363 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.107.065904
- Ryan, . , Glister, . , Lonergan, . , Martin, . , Knight, . , Evans, . (2008) Functional significance of the signal transduction pathways Akt and Erk in ovarian follicles: in vitro and in vivo studies in cattle and sheep. Journal of Ovarian Research , 1 (1). pp. 2. ISSN: 1757-2215 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1757-2215-1-2
- Padilla, . , Knight, . , Holtz, . (2008) Superovulation and embryo collection in nulliparous Boer goat does immunized against a recombinant ovine alpha-subunit inhibin. Small Ruminant Research , 74 (1-3). pp. 159-164. ISSN: 0921-4488 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2007.05.006
- Butler, . , Pelton, . , Knight, . , Butler, . (2008) Follicle-stimulating hormone isoforms and plasma concentrations of estradiol and inhibin A in dairy cows with ovulatory and non-ovulatory follicles during the first postpartum follicle wave. Domestic Animal Endocrinology , 35 (1). pp. 112-119. ISSN: 0739-7240 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2008.03.002
- Lovell, . , Al-Musawi, . , Gladwell, . , Knight, . (2007) Gonadotrophins modulate hormone secretion and steady-state mRNA levels for activin receptors (type I, IIA, IIB) and inhibin co-receptor (betaglycan) in granulosa and theca cells from chicken prehierarchical and preovulatory follicles. Reproduction , 133 (6). pp. 1159-1168. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep-06-0179
- Al-Musawi, . , Gladwell, . , Knight, . (2007) Bone morphogenetic protein-6 enhances gonadotrophin-dependent progesterone and inhibin secretion and expression of rnRNA transcripts encoding gonadotrophin receptors and inhibin/activin subunits in chicken granulosa cells. Reproduction , 134 (2). pp. 293-306. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep-07-0070
- Silva, . , Rosa, . , Knight, . (2006) Seasonal variations in the developmental competence of bovine oocytes matured in vitro. Veterinary Record , 158 (14). pp. 473-475. ISSN: 0042-4900
- Lovell, . , Knight, . , Gladwell, . (2006) Differential expression of mRNAs encoding co-receptor (betaglycan) and activin type-I preovulatory and prehierarchical follicles of the putative inhibin and type-II receptors in the laying hen ovary. Journal of Endocrinology , 188 (2). pp. 241-249. ISSN: 0022-0795 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1677/joe.1.06525
- Knight, . and Glister, . (2006) TGF-beta superfamily members and ovarian follicle development. Reproduction , 132 (2). pp. 191-206. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.01074
- Glister, . , Groome, . , Knight, . (2006) Bovine follicle development is associated with divergent changes in activin-A, inhibin-A and follistatin and the relative abundance of different follistatin isoforms in follicular fluid. Journal of Endocrinology , 188 (2). pp. 215-225. ISSN: 0022-0795 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1677/joe.1.06485
- Lovell, . , Knight, . , Gladwell, . (2005) Variation in pituitary expression of mRNAs encoding the putative inhibin co-receptor (betaglycan) and type-I and type-II activin receptors during the chicken ovulatory cycle. Journal of Endocrinology , 186 (3). pp. 447-455. ISSN: 0022-0795 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1677/joe.1.06303
- Knight, . , Gladwell, . , Lovell, . (2005) The inhibin-activin system and ovarian folliculogenesis in the chicken. In: Dawson, . and Sharp, . , (eds.) Functional Avian Endocrinology. Alpha Science International Ltd , New Delhi, India. pp. 323-340. ISBN: 9788173195686
- Glister, . , Richards, . , Knight, . (2005) Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-4,-6, and-7 potently suppress basal and luteinizing hormone-induced androgen production by bovine theca interna cells in primary culture: Could ovarian hyperandrogenic dysfunction be caused by a defect in thecal BMP signaling?. Endocrinology , 146 (4). pp. 1883-1892. ISSN: 0013-7227 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2004-1303
- Burns, . , Jimenez-Krassel, . , Ireland, . , Knight, . , Ireland, . (2005) Numbers of antral follicles during follicular waves in cattle: Evidence for high variation among animals, very high repeatability in individuals, and an inverse association with serum follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations. Biology of Reproduction , 73 (1). pp. 54-62. ISSN: 0006-3363 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.104.036277
- Hirst, . , Abel, . , Wilkins, . , Simpson, . , Knight, . , Zhang, . , Huhtaniemi, . , Kumar, . , Charlton, . (2004) Influence of mutations affecting gonadotropin production or responsiveness on expression of inhibin subunit mRNA and protein in the mouse ovary. Reproduction , 128 (1). pp. 43-52. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.00176
- Glister, . , Kemp, . , Knight, . (2004) Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) ligands and receptors in bovine ovarian follicle cells: actions of BMP-4,-6 and-7 on granulosa cells and differential modulation of Smad-1 phosphorylation by follistatin. Reproduction , 127 (2). pp. 239-254. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.00090
- Bleach, . , Glencross, . , Knight, . (2004) Association between ovarian follicle development and pregnancy rates in dairy cows undergoing spontaneous oestrous cycles. Reproduction , 127 (5). pp. 621-629. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.00190
- Silva, . , Groome, . , Knight, . (2003) Immunohistochemical localization of inhibin/activin alpha, beta(A) and beta(B) subunits and follistatin in bovine oocytes during in vitro maturation and fertilization. Reproduction , 125 (1). pp. 33-42. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.0.1250033
- Ryan, . , Glister, . , Martin, . , Knight, . , Evans, . (2003) Effect of FSH and IGF on Akt and Erk pathways, estradiol, and inhibin-A secretion, and survival/proliferation of bovine granulosa cells in vitro. Biology of Reproduction , 68 pp. 423. ISSN: 0006-3363
- Lovell, . , Gladwell, . , Groome, . , Knight, . (2003) Ovarian follicle development in the laying hen is accompanied by divergent changes in inhibin A, inhibin B, activin A and follistatin production in granulosa and theca layers. Journal of Endocrinology , 177 (1). pp. 45-55. ISSN: 0022-0795
- Knight, . and Glister, . (2003) Local roles of TGF-beta superfamily members in the control of ovarian follicle development. Animal Reproduction Science , 78 (3-4). pp. 165-183. ISSN: 0378-4320 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0378-4320(03)00089-7
- Glister, . , Groome, . , Knight, . (2003) Oocyte-mediated suppression of follicle-stimulating hormone- and insulin-like growth factor-induced secretion of steroids and inhibin-related proteins by bovine granulosa cells in vitro: Possible role of transforming growth factor alpha. Biology of Reproduction , 68 (3). pp. 758-765. ISSN: 0006-3363 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.102.008698
- Anderson, . , Lapwood, . , Knight, . , Parkinson, . (2003) The reproductive response of rams to thyroidectomy: mediation by impaired inhibin feedback rather than a change in LH pulsatility. Reproduction , 126 (3). pp. 353-364. ISSN: 1470-1626 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1530/rep.0.1260353