Director Profiles
Dr Carol Barker - Hiking the Mazama Trail on Mount Hood, Oregon, USA
Dr Carol Barker
Managing Director
  • 15 years cell culture experience.
  • BSc (Hons) in Physiology and Pharmacology from Sheffield University.
  • PhD from the FRAME Alternatives Laboratory, University of Nottingham (FRAME = Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Research). Subject of PhD was the development of an in vitro model of human skin for use as a screening tool in cosmetics and drug development, with a particular emphasis on metabolism. The work was funded by Unilever Research and Boots.
  • 2 years post doctoral research developing an in vitro model of psoriasis, using cells from psoriasis patients, as a screen for the efficacy of potential anti-psoriatic drugs. The work was funded by AstraZeneca.
  • 5 years experience in drug development (Glaxo, Roche).
  • 8 years business development experience: Manager of European Operations of the cell culture company, Cascade Biologics. Spent 2 years at Cascade’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon, USA, then established and developed the company’s European business, based from the UK, prior to its acquisition by Invitrogen in 2007.
  • Co-founder of XCellR8 Ltd.
  • Interests: variety of sports and outdoor activities, adventure travel, good restaurants and the occasional glass of good wine!
email: carol.barker@x-cellr8.com


Bushra Sim
Bushra Sim
Technical Director
  • Over 10 years cell culture experience
  • MPhil from University of Nottingham. Subject of study: interactions of serum proteins with osteoblasts, with a particular focus in biomaterial adhesion.
  • 1 year at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, London. Investigation into osteoblast characterization and differentiation.
  • 12 years at University of Nottingham. Involved in establishing the Biomaterials Group which included research into biological interactions of osteoblasts in biomaterial adhesion.
  • 4 years business development experience at Cascade Biologics, which included culturing a wide range of normal human cell types.
  • Co-founder of XCellR8 Ltd.
email: bushra.sim@x-cellr8.com


NEWS & EVENTS

“Bring a pal” special winter offer!
Book a 2012 training course place before 29 February and bring a colleague for free!
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Introductory Cell Culture Techniques
A strong foundation in core techniques; latest best-practice; troubleshooting tips.
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Introduction to Bioreactors
Key procedures in bioreactor set-up and optimal use.
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