Management Team

Paul C Guest PhD
Head of Proteomics

My main focus over the past 10 years has been on the application of proteomic technologies in discovery of biomarkers for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. I have emphasized an approach that includes the application of multiple technologies to maximize proteomic coverage and the use of supportive methods for validation and rapid deployment of markers into the laboratory or the clinical environment.

My scientific career began in California in 1983 with the production of immunoassay kits at Dakopats Corporation and in 1984 on development of transgenic crop plants at the Plant Cell Research Institute and eradication of plant cell viruses for Universal Foods. In 1985, I carried out studies on modulating the TPA cleavage site at Genentech. Then in 1986, I worked on characterization of the coral toxin and reptile venom binding site of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at University of California, San Diego. In 1988, I began my PhD work at the University of Cambridge, UK, with a thesis entitled "Insulin Secretory Granule Biogenesis."

In 1991, I was awarded the RDA Lawrence fellowship for diabetes research to continue these studies, beginning of my interest in proteomics (3 years before the term was coined). In 1995, I carried out further related studies using mRNA differential display to identify gene products involved in the biogenesis of neuroendocrine secretory vesicles. In 1997, I began working at the Merck Neuroscience Research Centre in the UK, where I set up and headed the proteomics core facility. We carried out proteomic and transcriptomic analysis on proof of principle, target validation and biomarker identification phases of drug discovery for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases and for potential stem cell therapies. We brought in and developed new proteomic approaches and used immunological techniques and other methods to validate biomarkers and to transfer these to a format where they could be easily deployed in the laboratory or the clinic.

In 2007, I began as Head of Proteomics in the Bahn lab at the CCNR. The lab is focused on identifying and developing biomarkers for schizophrenia and other neurological disorders to improve our understanding of the molecular basis of these diseases, to facilitate early and accurate diagnoses and development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Hassan Rahmoune PhD
Head of Translational Medicine & Discovery Biomarkers

I obtained my Doctorate in Biochemistry at Lille University, France. Since that time I amassed an extensive expertise in a number of therapeutic areas (Respiratory, Oncology, Diabetes and Neuropsychiaric diseases) with the main focus on translational medicine and discovery biomarkers.

I set up and headed the biomarker discovery facility at the GlaxoSmithKline Cambridge Clinical Research Unit. In my role, I was heading a group of scientists responsible for designing and running fit-for-purpose laboratory and experimental medicine studies related to biomarker discovery in diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders. The outcome of such studies was included into clinical protocols and validated in a phase I-II clinical studies. As part of clinical matrix teams, I was also responsible for bio-sampling procedures and introducing and managing biomarker analysis/arms into clinical protocols of phase I-II clinical trials.

I joined the Bahn lab in 2008 as the Head of Translational Medicine & Biomarker Discovery and as consultant to Psynova Neurotech Ltd. My main focus is on identifying a panel of diagnostic, prognostic biomarkers and novel targets related to neuropsychiatric disorders and translating these from laboratory to clinic development.

Post-Doctoral Researchers

Man Kuan Chan PhD
Post-Doctoral Scientist

I hold a BSc (Hons) degree in Medical Genetics (Brunel University, 2005) and a PhD in neuroscience/biotechnology (University of Cambridge, 2009, Professor Bahn's group). My research direction since industrial work placement at GSK (2003-2004), PhD and post-doctoral work (2009-2010) at Professor Bahn's group has been focused on biomarker discovery, drug-target identification and translational research in neuropsychiatric disorders. During these years, I have developed solid skills in clinical tissue proteomics and metabonomics profiling, bioinformatics, analytical and molecular cell biology methodologies and pre-clinical model development. Currently, I am working towards identifying predictive cellular/molecular markers of drug response, symptom improvement and/or non-improvement in depression patients in a longitudinal study.

Viktoria Stelzhammer PhD
Post-Doctoral Scientist

For my undergraduate course at the University of Applied Sciences IMC Krems in Austria, I studied a wide range of biological subjects and gained experience in numerous biotechnological techniques. This culminated in an 8- month practical training semester conducted in the Bahn lab, at the Institute of Biotechnology in Cambridge. The work involved investigation of a novel model of schizophrenia related to energy metabolism, by using immunological and mass spectrometry profiling methods. This project provided the framework of my thesis and I graduated in June 2008 as a Diploma Engineer in Biotechnology. After this, I was delighted to re-join the Bahn laboratory for my PhD and now post-doctoral studies where I am continuing my research on novel models of major depression, autism and schizophrenia using state-of-the-art molecular profiling technologies. The ultimate aim is to identify disease biomarkers to facilitate early diagnosis and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.