SCHEMBRI-WISMAYER Pierre

Head of the Department of Anatomy, University of Malta, La Valletta, Malta

Academic Interests

  1. Cellular and Molecular Biology – in particular Transcriptional gene regulation, Stem cell Differentiation and Cancer cell Differentiation.
  2. Science Popularisation
  3. Bio-Mechanics

Present University Appointment.

Head of Dept of Anatomy, (appointed September 2008)

Education and Qualifications

PhD  University of Glasgow 2000 (July): Thesis title  ‘The differentiation-stage-specific  regulation of  HNP-3 (defensin) gene expression in myeloid leukaemic cells’

 Registrations  and Professional Society Memberships

–          Member of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

–          Member of the Medical Association of Malta

–          Member of the Malta Chamber of Scientists

–          Member of Malta College of Family Doctors since 2002, membership number 215

–          Member of Malta College of Pathologists (Genetics) since 2000

–          Registered Medical Doctor  Malta – Registration number  2261     (1991)

 Research

a.      Publications

First or Last Author

Baron B, Schembri-Wismayer P. Using the distribution of the CCR5-Δ32 allele in third-generation Maltese citizens to disprove the Black Death hypothesis. Int J Immunogenet. 2011 Apr;38(2):139-43.

P Schembri-Wismayer “Stem Cells – What, Why, Whereabouts and When?” Part III The Synapse Magazine, 2006; 6 (6) 18-21

P Schembri-Wismayer “Stem Cells – What, Why, Whereabouts and When?” Part II The Synapse Magazine, 2006; 6 (5) 12-17

P Schembri-Wismayer “Stem Cells – What, Why, Whereabouts and When?” Part I The Synapse Magazine, 2006; 6 (4) 4-5

P Schembri-Wismayer,  GD Birnie. “An improved growth hormone reporter gene shows a different pattern of transactivation by promoter fragments”. Gene. 2003 Dec 24;323:173-80.

Co-authored

Calleja-Agius J, Schembri-Wismayer P, Calleja N, Brincat M, Spiteri D. Obstetric outcome and cytokine levels in threatened miscarriage.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2011 Feb;27(2):121-7.

Darmanin S, Wismayer PS, Camilleri Podesta MT, Micallef MJ, Buhagiar JA. “An extract from Ricinus communis L. leaves possesses cytotoxic properties and induces apoptosis in SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cells.” Nat Prod Res. 2009;23(6):561-71.

S. Pulis, CA Scerri, PS Wismayer, R Galdies, S Bezzina Wettinger, AE Felice “Developmental effect of the Xmn1 site on Gg globin gene expression among Newborn HbF Malta I heterozygotes and adult  β+1-thallassaemia homozygotes” Hemoglobin. 2007;31(1):71-82.

b.      Support from Research Grants and Contracts

 i.      External Funding/Grants  –  applied for and awarded

2007: Assessed to have passed threshold but was not finally funded.

Applied for €150,000 as part of the consortium co-ordinated by  the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (Prof Bernard Brabin) with the project Acronym MIP-IMPACT,  FP7 proposal number 201253.

Local work involves Stem cell research into placental malaria on cord blood.

2007  Awarded  (as Coordinator) for a Specific Support Action (SSA) project entitled “Science popularisation TV: bringing the knowledge society to those not yet participating” ”- Acronym Xjenza-TV ( project number FP6 – 036808) for  a Scientific Television project to raise awareness of local science amongst Maltese Schoolchildren. Grant provides  €340,000 for all 4 partners (2 of which are Maltese). Total funds for University are €75,000, total funds for Malta in the order of €170,000.

2005  Awarded (together with Prof Camilleri Podesta in the Anatomy Dept.) external funding (to the tune of €25,000 and including a research studentship) – from an Italian Research Organisation based in Malta  for research into injury of cells by ionising radiation  and nuclear-cytoplasmic signalling in such injury.

 2003  Awarded €10,000 from a local charity – Maria Bugeja Cancer Research Foundation for equipment required for Cancer Research – spent on Electroporation and ElectroFusion device..

  ii.      Internal  University Funding

Over the years since my appointment, I have been awarded by internal funding committees:

€39,000  of University funding for the purchase of new equipment – in particular, facilities for large volume cryopreservation of cell culture stocks.

More than €25,000 of  University Research funding over a number of projects including :

  1. Trans-activation of the defensin gene
  2. Trans-differentiation of Cord blood stem cells
  3. In vitro bioactivity of Crude Honeybee Propolis
  4. Identifying novel interactions between GABP & other cellular factors
  5. Modifications of genes & gene function using small molecules