Nat Milton

Professor in Biomedical Science

About

I joined the University of Chichester as Professor in Biomedical Science in 2024 with the aim to contribute to the establishment of the Community Diagnostics Centre and to develop new Biomedical Science courses at the University. I originally trained in Biological Sciences, specialising in Zoology, by undertaking a BSc at the University of Edinburgh. This was followed by a PhD in Neuroendocrinology at the University of London, where I was the first Marjorie A. Robinson Fellow funded by the Society for Endocrinology.

I have gained experience in Clinical Biochemistry at NHS Departments in both Newcastle and London plus have worked at several Universities across London and Leeds. I have built an international reputation in the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery and Diagnostics research field which I aim to enhance at the University.

As a passionate bioentrepreneur I have previously established a small company to develop novel compounds using in silico techniques and played a role in working with employers in several settings.

My Biomedical Science teaching experience, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, includes Physiology, Pharmacology, Clinical Biochemistry, Neuroscience and Entrepreneurship which will all be incorporated into the new BSc Biomedical Science course at the University.

Professional

Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)

Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS)

Fellow of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (FIOEE)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Member of the British Pharmacological Society

Publications

Full Papers:

Milton, N.G.N. (2023) SARS-CoV-2 amyloid, is COVID-19-exacerbated dementia an amyloid disorder in the making? Front. Dement. 2, 1233340. (https://doi.org/10.3389/frdem.2023.1233340)
Singh, N., Hutson, R., Milton, N.G.N. & Javid, F.A. (2022) Ovarian cancer and KiSS-1 expression: a consideration of the use of kisspeptin plus kisspeptin aptamers in diagnostics and therapy. Eur. J. Pharmacol., 917, 174752. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174752)
Yan, P., Zou, Z., Zhang, S., Wang, R., Niu, T., Zhang, X., Liu, D., Zhou, X., Chang, A.K., Milton, N.G.N, Jones, G.W. & He, J. (2021). Defining the mechanism of PDI interaction with disulfide-free amyloidogenic proteins: Implications for exogenous protein expression and neurodegenerative disease. Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 174, 175 – 184. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.01.172)
Cussell, P.J.G., Gomez Escalada, M., Milton, N.G.N. & Paterson, A.W.J. (2020) The N-formyl peptide receptors: contemporary roles in neuronal function and dysfunction. Neural Regen. Res. 15(7), 1191-1198. (https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.272566)

Cussell, P.J.G., Howe, M.S., Illingworth, T.A., Gomez Escalada, M., Milton, N.G.N. & Paterson, A.W.J. (2019) The formyl peptide receptor agonist FPRa14 induces differentiation of Neuro2a mouse neuroblastoma cells into multiple distinct morphologies which can be specifically inhibited with FPR antagonists and FPR knockdown using siRNA. PLoS ONE 14(6), e0217815. (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217815)
Chilumuri, A., Markiv, A. & Milton, N.G.N. (2014) Immunocytochemical staining of endogenous nuclear proteins with the HIS-1 anti-poly-histidine monoclonal antibody: a potential source of error in His-tagged protein detection. Acta Histochemica, 116, 1022-1028. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acthis.2014.04.006)
Chilumuri, A., Odell, M. & Milton, N.G.N. (2013) Benzothiazole aniline-tetra(ethylene glycol) and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole inhibit neuroprotection against amyloid peptides by catalase overexpression in vitro. ACS Chem. Neurosci., 4, 1501-1512. (https://doi.org/10.1021/cn400146a)
Chilumuri, A. & Milton, N.G.N. (2013) The role of neurotransmitters in protection against amyloid-β toxicity by KiSS-1 overexpression in SH-SY5Y neurons. ISRN Neuroscience, 2013, 253210. (https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/253210)
Chilumuri, A., Ashioti, M., Nercessian, A.N. & Milton, N.G.N. (2013) Immunolocalization of kisspeptin associated with amyloid-β deposits in the pons of an Alzheimer’s disease patient. J. Neurodegen. Dis., 2013, 879710. (https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/879710)
Milton, N.G.N. & Harris, J.R. (2013) Fibril formation and toxicity of the non-amyloidogenic rat amylin peptide. Micron, 44, 256-253. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2012.07.001)
Harris, J.R. & Milton, N.G.N. (2012) Introduction and technical survey: protein aggregation and fibrillogenesis. Subcell. Biochem., 65, 3-25. (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5416-4_1)
Milton, N.G.N. (2012) In vitro activities of Kissorphin, a novel hexapeptide KiSS-1 derivative, in neuronal cells. J. Amino Acids, 2012, 691463. (https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/691463)
Milton, N.G.N., Chilumuri, A., Rocha-Ferreira, E., Nercessian, A.N. & Ashioti, M. (2012) Kisspeptin prevention of amyloid-β peptide neurotoxicity in vitro. ACS Chem. Neurosci., 3, 706-719. (https://doi.org/10.1021/cn300045d)
Harris, J.R. & Milton, N.G.N. (2010) Cholesterol in Alzheimer’s disease and other amyloidogenic disorders. Subcell. Biochem., 51, 47-75. (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8622-8_2)
Milton, N.G.N. & Harris, J.R. (2010) Human islet amyloid polypeptide fibril binding to catalase: a transmission electron microscopy and microplate study. The Scientific World Journal, 10, 879-893. (https://doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2010.73)
Milton, N.G.N. & Harris, J.R. (2009) Polymorphism of Amyloid-β fibrils and its effects on Human Erythrocyte Catalase binding. Micron, 40, 800-810. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2009.07.006)
Milton, N.G.N. (2008) Homocysteine inhibits hydrogen peroxide breakdown by Catalase. The Open Enzyme Inhibition Journal, 1, 34-41. (http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874940200801010034)
Milton, N.G.N. (2005) Phosphorylated amyloid-β: the toxic intermediate in Alzheimer’s disease neurodegeneration. Subcell. Biochem., 38, 381-402. (https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-23226-5_20)
Milton, N.G.N. (2004) Role of hydrogen peroxide in the aetiology of Alzheimer’s Disease: implications for treatment. Drugs Aging 21, 81-100. (https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200421020-00002)
Vincent, I., Nagy, Z., Neve, R., Herrup, K., Milton, N., Smith, M., Wolozin, B., Chen, Y., Lu, K.P., Kinoshita, J., Strobel, G., Hallows, J., Bowser, R., Feinstein, D., Atwood, C., and Maiese, K. (2003) Transcript of Live Discussion: The Cell Cycle in Alzheimer’s Disease: Let’s Unite Around Division. J. Alzheimer’s Dis., 5, 251-262. (https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2003-5309)
Milton, N.G.N. (2002) Anandamide and noladin ether prevent neurotoxicity of the human amyloid-β peptide. Neurosci. Lett., 332, 127-130. (https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-3940(02)00936-9)
Milton, N.G.N. (2002) The amyloid-β peptide binds to cyclin B1 and increases human cyclin-dependent kinase-1 activity. Neurosci. Lett., 322, 131-133. (https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-3940(02)00081-2)
Byrne, D.J., Jagroop, I.A., Montgomery, H.E., Thomas, M., Mikhailidis, D.P., Milton, N.G., & Winder, A.F. (2002) Lipoprotein (a) does not participate in the acute phase response to training or extreme physical activity and is unlikely to enhance any associated immediate cardiovascular risk. J. Clin. Pathol., 55, 280-285. (https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.55.4.280)
Milton, N.G.N. (2001) Inhibition of catalase activity with 3-amino-triazole enhances the cytotoxicity of the Alzheimer’s amyloid-β peptide. NeuroToxicology 22, 767-74. (https://doi.org/10.1016/s0161-813x(01)00064-x)
Milton, N.G.N. (2001) Phosphorylation of amyloid-β at the serine 26 residue by human cdc2 kinase. NeuroReport 12, 3839-3844. (https://doi.org/10.1097/00001756-200112040-00047)
Milton, N.G.N., Mayor, N.P. & Rawlinson, J. (2001) Identification of amyloid-β binding sites using an antisense peptide approach. NeuroReport, 12, 2561-2566. (https://doi.org/10.1097/00001756-200108080-00054)
Milton, N.G.N. (1999) Amyloid-β binds catalase with high affinity and inhibits hydrogen peroxide breakdown. Biochem. J., 344, 293-296. (https://doi.org/10.1042/bj3440293)
Milton, N.G.N., Bessis, A., Changeux, J-P. & Latchman, D.S. (1996) Differential regulation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene promoters by Brn-3 POU family transcription factors. Biochem. J., 317, 419-423. (https://doi.org/10.1042/bj3170419)
Milton, N.G.N., Bessis, A., Changeux, J-P. & Latchman, D.S. (1995) The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α2 subunit gene promoter is activated by Brn-3b POU family transcription factor and not by Brn-3a or Brn-3c. J. Biol. Chem., 270, 15143-15147 (https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.270.25.15143)
Grammatopoulos, D., Milton, N.G.N. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1994) The human myometrial corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor: G proteins and second messengers. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol., 99, 245-250. (https://doi.org/10.1016/0303-7207(94)90014-0)
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, A.S. (1993) Does peripheral arginine vasopressin have a role in the febrile response of conscious rabbits? J. Physiol. (Lond), 469, 525-534. (https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1993.sp019827)
Hillhouse, E.W., Grammatopoulos, D., Milton, N.G.N. & Quartero, H.W.P. (1993) The identification of a human myometrial corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor which increases in affinity during pregnancy. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 76, 736-741. (https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.76.3.8383145)
Holland, A.J., Treasure, J., Coskeran, P., Dallow, J., Milton, N. & Hillhouse, E. (1993) Measurement of excessive appetite and metabolic changes in Prader-Willi syndrome. Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord., 17, 527-532. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8220655/)
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, A.S. (1993) A possible role for peripheral corticotrophin-releasing factor-41 in the febrile response of conscious rabbits. J. Physiol. (Lond), 465, 419-430. (https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1993.sp019684)
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, A.S. (1993) Modulation of the prostaglandin responses of conscious rabbits to the pyrogen polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid by corticotrophin-releasing factor-41. J. Endocrinol., 138, 7-11. (https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.1380007)
Milton, N.G.N., Self, C.H. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1993) Effects of pyrogenic immunomodulators on the release of corticotrophin-releasing factor-41 and prostaglandin E2 from the intact rat hypothalamus in vitro. Br. J. Pharmacol., 109, 88-93. (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.1993.tb13535.x)
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, A.S. (1992) Activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in the conscious rabbit by the pyrogen polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid is dependent on corticotrophin releasing factor-41. J. Endocrinol., 135, 69-75. (https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.1350069)
Milton, N.G.N., Nicholson, S.A., Self, C.H. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1990) The effects of rat corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF-41) peptide fragments on bioassay and immunoassay determination of CRF-41 levels. J. Neuroendocrinol., 2, 896-901. (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.1990.tb00657.x)
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W., Fuller, J.Q. & Self, C.H. (1990) Corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF-41) in the human and rat – utility of a highly sensitive enzyme amplified immunometric assay. J. Neuroendocrinol., 2, 889-895. (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.1990.tb00656.x)
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W., Nicholson, S.A., Self, C.H. & McGregor, A.M. (1990) Production and utilisation of monoclonal antibodies to human/rat corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF-41). J. Mol. Endocrinol., 5, 159-166. (https://doi.org/10.1677/jme.0.0050159)
Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, N.G.N. (1989) The effect of acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine on the secretion of corticotrophin releasing factor-41 and arginine vasopressin from the rat hypothalamus in vitro. J. Endocrinol., 122, 713-718. (https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.1220713)
Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, N.G.N. (1989) The effect of noradrenaline and γ-aminobutyric acid on the secretion of corticotrophin releasing factor-41 and arginine vasopressin from the rat hypothalamus in vitro. J. Endocrinol., 122, 719-723. (https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.1220719)

Chapters in Books:

Milton, N.G.N. & Harris, J.R. (2014) Chapter 23 – Polymorphism of Amyloid Fibrils and their Complexes with Catalase. In: Bio-nanoimaging: Protein Misfolding and Aggregation. Eds V.N. Uversky & Y.L. Lyubchenko, Academic Press, Boston, pp 255-262.
Milton, N.G.N. (2006) Anti-sense Peptides. In Cell Biology Protocols, Eds D. Rickwood, J. Graham & J.R. Harris, Wiley, London, pp 353-358.
Milton, N.G.N. (2006) Interactions between amyloid-β and enzymes. In Cell Biology Protocols, Eds D. Rickwood, J. Graham & J.R. Harris, Wiley, London pp 359-363.
Milton, N.G.N. (2006) Amyloid-β phosphorylation. In Cell Biology Protocols, Eds D. Rickwood, J. Graham & J.R. Harris, Wiley, London pp 364-368.
Milton, A.S. & Milton, N.G.N. (1995) Involvement of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in febrile response to pyrogen. In Body Temperature and Metabolism, Eds T. Nagasaka & A.S. Milton, International Press Editing Centre Corporation, Tokyo, pp 55-60.
Milton, N.G.N. (1994) Effect of peripheral corticotrophin-releasing factors on febrile responses. In Temperature Regulation: Recent Physiological and Pharmacological Advances, Ed A.S. Milton, Birkhauser, Basel, pp 1-10.
Milton, N.G.N., Swanton, E. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1993) Pyrogenic immunomodulator stimulation of a novel thymic corticotrophin-releasing factor in vitro. In Temperature Regulation: Recent Physiological and Pharmacological Advances, Ed A.S. Milton, Birkhauser, Basel, pp 59-64.
Milton, A.S. & Milton, N.G.N. (1992) The modulatory role of peripheral corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the febrile response to polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly-I:C). In Thermoregulation: The Pathophysiological Basis of Clinical Disorders, Eds P. Lomax & E. Schönbaum, Karger, Basel, pp 25-27.
Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, N.G.N. (1989) Neurotransmitter regulation of CRF-41 secretion in vitro. In The control of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, Ed. Rose F.C., International Universities Press, Inc., Madison, CT, USA, pp 243-260.

Patents:

Milton, N. (2017) Kissorphin peptides for use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or diabetes mellitus. United Kingdom Patent Publication Number GB2493313B.
Milton, N. (2011) Kissorphin peptides for use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or diabetes mellitus. International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2011/144714 (A1).
Milton, N. (2011) Kisspeptin peptides for use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or diabetes mellitus. European Patent Application Publication Number EP2388012 (A1).
Milton, N.G.N. (2005) Phosphorylated Amyloid-beta 1-43 protein and its use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. European Patent Application Publication Number EP1538163.
Milton, N.G.N. (2004) Peptides for use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. United States Patent Application Publication Number US 2004/0072753.
Milton, N.G.N. (2003) Peptides for use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. European Patent Application Publication Number EP1363939.
Milton, N.G.N. (2002) Peptides for use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. International Patent Application Publication Number WO 02/36614.

Published Conference Abstracts:

Cussell, P.J.G., Gomez Escalada, M., Milton, N.G.N. & Paterson, A.W.J. (2020) Induction of differentiation of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by formyl peptide receptor agonist FPRa14 in culture. Br. J. Pharmacol. 177(11), 2620-2621.
Werner, S.J., Martin, S.W., Paterson, A.W.J. & Milton, N.G.N. (2019) Effects of 2-arachidonoylglycerol and RVD-hemopressin on amyloid-β, amylin, prion protein, amyloid-bri and amyloid-dan neurotoxicity in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Br. J. Pharmacol. 176(16), 3020, OC027.
Werner, S.J., Martin, S.W., Paterson, A.W.J. & Milton, N.G.N. (2018) Effects of the cannabinoid receptor antagonist hemopressin on amyloid-β induced toxicity in mouse Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells. From the Pharmacology 2017 meeting: Proceedings of the British Pharmacological Society at http://www.pA2online.org/abstracts/Vol18Issue1abst224P.pdf
Cussell, P.J.G., Howe, M.S., Gomez Escalada, M., Milton, N.G.N. & Paterson, A.W.J. (2018) Formyl peptide receptor agonist FPRa14 induced differentiation of mouse Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells in culture. From the Pharmacology 2017 meeting: Proceedings of the British Pharmacological Society at http://www.pa2online.org/abstracts/vol18issue1abst228p .pdf
Milton, N.G.N. (2017) Effects of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM281 on kissorphin protection against amyloid-β neurotoxicity. From the Pharmacology 2017 meeting: 8th European Workshop on Cannabinoid Research meeting: Proceedings of the British Pharmacological Society at http://www.pA2online.org/abstracts/Vol17Issue1abst030P.pdf
Werner, S.J., Martin, S.W., Paterson, A.W.J. & Milton, N.G.N. (2017) Effects of RVD-hemopressin on amyloid-β induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y neuronal cell culture. From the Pharmacology 2017 meeting: 8th European Workshop on Cannabinoid Research meeting: Proceedings of the British Pharmacological Society at http://www.pA2online.org/abstracts/ Vol17Issue1abst020P.pdf
Gillespie, S., Milton, N., Ashioti, M. and Gavins, F.N.E. (2013) Sulforaphane alters cerebral leukocyte endothelial cell interactions post global ischaemia reperfusion. FASEB J., 27 (Meetings Abstracts Suppl.), 687.18.
Chilumuri, A., Odell, M. & Milton, N. (2013) The neuroprotective role of catalase overexpression in SH-SY5Y cells against beta-amyloid and H2O2 toxicity. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 9 (4 (Supplement)), P361.
Milton, N. (2012) Kissorphin, a hexapeptide derivative of Kisspeptin, acts via Neuropeptide FF receptors to inhibit cyclic adenosine monophosphate release but has no Gonadotrophin-Releasing-Hormone releasing activity. Endocrine Abstracts, 28, OC2.3.
Milton, N.G.N., Davidson, J., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, A.S. (1994) Effects of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid on circulating corticotrophin, arginine vasopressin and corticotrophin-releasing factor-41 in conscious rabbits. J. Physiol., (Lond), 475, 136P.
Milton, N.G.N. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1993) Hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing factor-41 and prostaglandin-E2 release in response to conditioned media from activated spleen cells. Br. J. Pharmacol., 109, 46P.
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, A.S. (1993) Endotoxin contamination of Protein-A purified antibodies: effects on the febrile responses of conscious rabbits. J. Physiol., (Lond), 467, 87P.
Milton, N.G.N., Self, C.H. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1993) Thymic corticotrophin-releasing factor synthesis and release from rat thymocytes in vitro in response to polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid stimulation. J. Physiol., (Lond), 467, 86P. (1 Citation)
Milton, N.G.N., Swanton, E., Self, C.H. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1993) Effects of pyrogenic immunomodulators on the release of rat thymic corticotrophin-releasing factor in vitro. J. Endocrinol., 137 (Suppl), P120.
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, A.S. (1992) Peripheral antagonism of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF-41) modifies both the febrile and blood prostaglandin E2 responses induced by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid in the conscious rabbit. J. Physiol., (Lond), 446, 287P.
Buhagiar, G., Mosley, K., Milton, N.G.N., Bristow, A., Self, C.H., Poole, S. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1992) Endotoxin stimulation of IL-1β production by murine immune cells in culture. J. Endocrinol., 132 (Suppl), P274.
Grammatopoulos, D., Milton, N.G.N. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1992) Identification and characterisation of a rat hypothalamic CRF-41 receptor. J. Endocrinol., 132 (Suppl), P213.
Hillhouse, E.W., Milton, N.G.N., Grammatopoulos, D. & Quartero, H. (1992) The identification and characterisation of a human myometrial corticotrophin-releasing factor-41 receptor which increases in affinity during pregnancy. J. Endocrinol., 132 (Suppl), P303.
Johnson, M.R., Pickering, S.J., Milton, N.G.N., Nicolaides, K.H., Hillhouse, E.W. & Lightman, S.L. (1992) Plasma CRF and relaxin levels in normal and diabetic singleton pregnancies, and in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia, hypothyroidism and hypopituitarism. J. Endocrinol., 132 (Suppl), P288.
Milton, A.S., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, N.G.N. (1992) Pyretic actions of arginine vasopressin mediated peripherally by AVP (V1) receptors. J. Endocrinol., 132 (Suppl), P211.
Milton, N.G.N., Self, C.H. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1992) Differential effects of pyrogenic immunomodulators on prostaglandin and corticotrophin-releasing factor-41 secretion from the rat hypothalamus in vitro. J. Endocrinol., 132 (Suppl), P214.
Nicholson, S.A., Milton, N.G.N. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1992) Differences between adult and prepubertal rat anterior pituitary responses to corticotrophin-releasing factor-41 peptide fragments. J. Endocrinol., 132 (Suppl), P253.
Quartero, H., Milton, N.G.N., Grammatopoulos, D. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1992) Functional aspects of the human myometrial CRF-41 receptor. J. Endocrinol., 132 (Suppl), P302.
Self, C.H., Milton, N.G.N. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1992) Pituitary-derived corticotrophin-releasing factor-41 (CRF-41) is required for the full ACTH response to arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rat anterior pituitary tissue in vitro. J. Endocrinol., 132 (Suppl), P212.
Cowell, A.M., Loxley, H.D., Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Buckingham, J.C. (1991) Cytokines and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis: an in vitro study. Fund. Clin. Pharmacol., 5, 440.
Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, N.G.N. (1991) Measurement of immunoreactive CRF-41 using a specific two-site enzyme amplified immunoassay suggests the mature peptide may be restricted to neuronal tissue in the rat. J. Endocrinol., 129 (Suppl), P80.
Milton, N.G.N., Self, C.H. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1991) Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and endogenous pyrogens do not directly stimulate the release of immunoreactive CRF-41 from the rat hypothalamus in vitro. J. Endocrinol., 129 (Suppl), P238.
Hillhouse, E.W., Milton, N.G.N. & McGregor, A.M. (1990) Monoclonal antibodies to human/rat CRF-41: biological and immunological characterisation. Neuroendocrinol., 52 (Suppl 1), P4.57.
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, A.S. (1990) The role of CRF-41 and prostaglandins in the febrile response. J. Endocrinol., 127 (Suppl), P96.
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W., Nicholson, S.A. & Self, C.H. (1990) Peptide fragments of rat corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF-41) which inhibit CRF-41 immunoreactivity measurement in a two-site enzyme amplified immunoassay are antagonists of CRF-41 bioactivity in vitro. J. Endocrinol., 124 (Suppl), P59.
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W., Nicholson, S.A., Self, C.H. & McGregor, A.M. (1990) Monoclonal antibodies to human/rat corticotrophin releasing factor: immunological and biological characterisation. J. Endocrinol., 123 (Suppl), P49.
Milton, N.G.N., Self, C.H. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1990) Immunoassays for rat CRF-41 cross-react with oxidised CRF-41. Neuroendocrinol., 52 (Suppl 1), P1.20.
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Self, C.H. (1989) The effects of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) 1-20, 6-33 and 21-41 fragments on CRF-41 immunoreactivity measurement by radioimmunoassay and enzyme linked immunoassay. J. Endocrinol. Invest., 12 (Suppl. 2), P76.
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W., Fuller, J.Q. & Self, C.H. (1988) A rapid and sensitive amplified sandwich ELISA for CRF-41. J. Endocrinol., 119 (Suppl), P98.
Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, N.G.N. (1988) The effect of acetylcholine, serotonin and GABA on the release of immunoreactive CRF-41 and AVP from the rat hypothalamus in vitro. J. Physiol., (Lond), 407, 56P.

Unpublished Conference Abstracts:

Ashioti, M., Getting, S.J., Locke, I.C. & Milton, N.G.N. (2013). Neuroprotective efficacy of the endogenous neuropeptide Urocortin in an oxygen-glucose deprivation model of transient cerebral ischaemia with reperfusion. British Neuroscience Association 22nd Biennial Meeting. London 7th-10th April 2013
Chilumuri, A., Ashioti, M., & Milton, N.G.N. (2013) Kisspeptin co-localization with amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s disease brain sections and its role in neuroprotection. Alzheimer’s Research UK Conference 2013, Belfast, UK (11th – 12th March 2013).
Milton, N.G.N. (2009) Roehampton University Technologies for Neurodegenerative Disease Drug Discovery. London Technology Network Meeting – Addressing Bottlenecks in Drug Discovery (21st October 2009).
Milton, N.G.N. (2009) Roehampton University Technologies for Neurodegenerative Disorder Research. ERBI’s 11th Biopartnering Exchange (10th – 12th June 2009).
Milton, N.G.N. (2009) Roehampton University Technologies for Sports and Medical Research. ERBI’s 11th Biopartnering Exchange (10th – 12th June 2009).
Milton, N.G.N. (2009) Roehampton University Technologies for Childhood Diseases Research. London Technology Network Meeting – Pediatrics (10th February 2009).
Milton, N.G.N. (2008) Roehampton University Technologies for Infectious Diseases Research. London Technology Network Meeting – Infectious Diseases (22nd October 2008).
Milton, N.G.N. (2008) Ageing Populations. Westfocus Meeting – Better Networks for Better Health: Translating research into patient care (14th June 2008).
Milton, N.G.N. (2008) Bioinformatic Protein Interaction Identification. ERBI’s 10th Biopartnering Exchange – Disruptive Technologies in Life Sciences (9th May 2008).
Milton, N.G.N. (2008) Roehampton University Technologies for Neurodegenerative Disorder Research. ERBI’s 10th Biopartnering Exchange (7-9th May 2008).
Milton, N.G.N. (2008) Roehampton University Technologies for Sports and Medical Research. ERBI’s 10th Biopartnering Exchange (7-9th May 2008).
Milton, N.G.N. (2008) Roehampton University Technologies for Medical Research. London Technology Network Meeting – New technologies in personalised medicine (19th March 2008).
Milton, N.G.N. (2008) Roehampton University Technologies for Neurodegenerative Disorder Research. London Technology Network Meeting – Neurodegenerative Disorders: Addressing the latest developments in stem cell therapy, imaging & drug development (6th February 2008).
Milton, N.G.N. (2004) Phosphorylation of Amyloid-β Peptide in Alzheimer’s Disease Brain: An Overlooked Pathology? 8th Annual Drug Discovery Technology® Europe, London, March 2004, Invited Oral Poster Presentation.
Milton, N.G.N. (2002) Cannabinoid receptor agonists protect against phosphorylated amyloid-β neurotoxicity. Molecular and Cellular Basis of Synaptic Loss and Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: 3rd Neurobiology of Aging Conference, Orlando, November 2002. Abstract P9.
Milton, N.G.N. (2001) Phosphorylation of amyloid-β peptide in human neurons and Alzheimer’s disease brain: an overlooked pathology? Royal Free Research and Development Conference, London May 2001.
Cook, D.B., Buhagiar, G., Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Self, C.H. (1992) Ultra-sensitive determination of IL-1β by fluorimetric enzyme amplified immunoassay. Cytokines and Growth Factors in Cancer Meeting, Innsbruck, March 1992.
Hillhouse, E.W., Milton, N.G.N., Grammatopoulos, D. & Quartero, H. (1992) Human myometrial CRF-41 receptors: effects of oxytocin on CRF-41 binding. 9th International Congress of Endocrinology, France 1992, Abstract P-18.04.108.
Grammatopoulos, D., Milton, N.G.N., Thornton, S. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1992) Human myometrial CRF-41 receptors: pharmacological effects of oxytocin. British Neuroendocrine Group Meeting, Edinburgh 1992, Abstract P.18.
Milton, N.G.N., Self, C.H. & Hillhouse, E.W. (1992) Pyrogen stimulation of synthesis and release of a high molecular weight CRF from rat thymocytes in culture. British Neuroendocrine Group Meeting, Edinburgh 1992, Abstract O.11.
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & Milton, A.S. (1991) CRF acts peripherally, and not centrally, to modify the febrile response to polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid. 73rd Annual Endocrine Society Meeting, Washington DC, USA. Abstract 1631.
Milton, N.G.N. (1991) The effect of a monoclonal antibody to CRF-41 and a CRF receptor antagonist (-helical CRF 9-41) on the temperature response, and on the circulating levels of cortisol, prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2α during pyrogen induced fever in the conscious rabbit. I.C.I. Science Link’91, Abstract 10a.
Milton, N.G.N., Hillhouse, E.W. & McGregor, A.M. (1989) Production, purification and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies to corticotropin releasing factor (CRF-41). British Neuroendocrine Group Meeting, Bristol 1989, Abstract P6

Research

I have led a research group, which conducts research into identification of target protein binding molecules. The focus of my research has been biochemical interactions of amyloid peptides and their role in Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and oxidative stress responses.

I was the first to demonstrate the neuroprotective properties of endogenous cannabinoids such as anandamide against Alzheimer’s disease amyloid-ß peptide neurotoxicity in a cell culture model of the disease, this probably was my most important research discovery. I also discovered the novel KiSS-1 derivative kissorphin and demonstrated that the molecule was an anti-opioid peptide. I am currently following up this work to characterise the actions of endogenous cannabinoids against other disease associated amyloid proteins.

Applying Bioinformatics techniques to drug discovery and developing diagnostic tools for use in disease settings has been a major theme for my research. Using Bioinformatics plus laboratory research I discovered interactions between the Alzheimer’s disease amyloid-ß peptide and a number of endogenous proteins including the antioxidant enzyme catalase plus the novel KiSS-1 derivatives, kissorphin’s. The kissorphin work resulted in a patent being granted for the use of these compounds for Alzheimer’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or diabetes mellitus.

PhD

I am actively looking for motivated individuals to supervise for PhD programmes on topics related, but not limited to, protein interactions in human disease, bioinformatics of protein interactions and endogenous cannabinoid or opioid roles in neuroprotection. Please review the following link for fees [https://www.chi.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees-finance/tuition-fees/] and then contact me if interested [n.milton@chi.ac.uk].