Teaching Interests
Mike teaches on a variety of modules in Biological Sciences at the University of Worcester, including the following degree courses BSc Biology, BSc Biochemistry, BSc Animal Biology, BSc Biomedical Science, BSc Forensic and Applied Biology and BSc Human Biology.
Mike is the lead for the following undergraduate modules:
- Level 4 (Year 1)
BIOL1007 Introduction to Evolution and Genetics
- Level 5 (Year 2)
BIOL2004 Molecular and Cellular Biology
BIOL2005 Molecular Genetics and Conservation
BIOL2006 Molecular Genetics
- Level 6 (Year 3)
BIOL3009 Genomics and Bioinformatics
In addition to Mike's undergraduate teaching interests he has been engaged in several learning and teaching projects. These include:
- A project with Gill Reynolds (a former University of Worcester MRes student and current PhD student at Montana State University) on engaging A level students with Bioinformatics where Gill has produced an ebook with guidance on constructing phylogenetic trees using DNA sequence data to enhance teaching of evolution. ·
- Several Theatre in Education (TiE) projects (with Dr Susanne Prankel and Alison Reeves) aimed at enhancing participation in Science at University level by producing a science-themed play toured to schools and colleges.
- A review of Research Inspired Teaching across the University of Worcester with Professor Maggie Andrews.
- Mike has been an External Examiner at Shrewsbury University Centre for the Biological Sciences programme and at the University of Birmingham for the MRes in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
- As part of his role as School Lead for School and College Liaison, Mike has constructed a Taster Day and outreach programme that encourages school and college students to study science at degree level.
Conference presentations
Silvester E, Elliot J and Wheeler M. (2019) Constructing a new practical in Biosciences – a staff/student collaborative approach. University of Worcester Learning & Teaching Conference
Wheeler M and Woolard G. (2017) 'Trickle down teaching' informing The Biosciences Curriculum with Bioinformatics. Beyond Boundaries - University of Worcester Learning & Teaching Conference
Sherrard G, Woolard G and Wheeler M. (2016) Investigating the Function of a Small Secreted Protein Family in Physcomitrella patens. In: MOSS 2016 Conference, 2nd - 5th September 2016, University of Leeds
Miller R, Webb J and Wheeler M. (2014). Frankenstein’s Creatures; Young adult fiction, genetic Engineering and Issues of Identity. (poster – HEA conference, University of Manchester)
Wheeler, MJ, Prankel, S, Swift, E, Fisher, J and Reeves, A (2014). All the Labs a stage: the use of drama to promote engagement in Higher Education Science. (poster and presentation SEB, University of Manchester)
Wheeler, MJ (2009).Secreted protein ligands in the Arabidopsis flower. Biochemical Society focused meeting - cell-cell communication in plant reproduction. (supplement to abstract book)
Poulter NS, Wheeler, MJ, de Graaf BHJ, Perry RM, Vatovec S, Franklin FCH and Franklin-Tong VE (2009). Self-incompatibility in Papaver: identification of the pollen S-determinant. Biochemical Society focused meeting - cell-cell communication in plant reproduction. (p. 3 of abstract book)
Wheeler, MJ, de Graaf BHJ, Hadjiosif N, Perry RM, Poulter NS, Osman K, Vatovec S, Franklin FCH and Franklin-Tong VE (2008). The pollen self-incompatibility determinant. Frontiers of Sexual Plant Reproduction III, Marriot University Park, Tuscon, Arizona (p. 60 of abstract book see online)
BJH de Graaf, NE Hadiosif, MJ Wheeler, NS Poulter, RM Perry, K Osman VE Franklin-Tong & FCH Franklin. (2007) Identification and functional analysis of the pollen determinant of self-Incompatibility in Papaver rhoeas. Keystone Meeting, Idaho, USA.(co-author)
Wheeler MJ, Berditchevski F, Hotchin N (2007) Interaction of syntenin-1 with tetraspanins in the plasma membrane. CRUK Midlands Conference, Hilton-Metropole, Birmingham
Wheeler MJ, Ride JP, Holub E, Franklin-Tong VE, Franklin FCH. (2005) The SPH family A family of novel protein ligands implicated in the Arabidopsis pathogen response. Keystone Symposium: Plant Cell Signalling In Vivo and Omics Approaches, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Wheeler, MJ, Davies, EM, Ride, JP and Franklin FCH. (2003). SPH1 a novel class of protein signal molecule from Arabidopsis is implicated in vascular tissue development. Plant GEMs/GARNet 2003 p.138.
Wheeler, MJ and Franklin, FCH. (2002). Dissection of the SI reaction in Papaver rhoeas. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 132/A. S130-S131.
Wheeler, MJ, Jordan, ND, Franklin-Tong, VE and Franklin, FCH. (2000). Self-incompatibility in Papaver rhoeas The molecular basis of pollen stigma interactions. 18th International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. p.198.
Wheeler, MJ and Franklin, FCH. (2000). Pollen-pistil interactions in the self-incompatibility response of Papaver rhoeas. SEB Annual Meeting, University of Exeter. Journal of Experimental Botany. 51: March supplement: p.28.
Publications
Cherry, AL, Wheeler, MJ, Mathisova, K and Di Miceli, M (2024) In silico analyses of the involvement of GPR55, CB1R and TRPV1: response to THC, contribution to temporal lobe epilepsy, structural modeling and updated evolution. Frontiers in Neuroinformatics. 18 1-20.
Rajasekar KV, Ji S, Coulthard RJ, Ride JP, Reynolds GL, Winn PJ, Wheeler MJ, Hyde EI and Smith LJ (2019) Structure of SPH (self-incompatibility protein homologue) proteins: a widespread family of small, highly stable, secreted proteins. Biochemical Journal 476(5) 809-826
Hurley K, Wharton L, Wheeler M, Skjøth C, Niles C and Hanson M. (2019) Car Cabin Filters as Sampling Devices to Study Bioaerosols Using eDNA and Microbiological Methods. Aerobiologia. 35(2). 215-225
SH Prankel, M Wheeler, L Swift, J Amos (2012). DVD ‘A Life worth Living’ on a Theatre in Education play on Animal Welfare and Ethics
Poulter NS, Wheeler, MJ, Bosch M and Franklin-Tong VE (2010) Self-incompatibility in Papaver: identification of the pollen S-determinant PrpS. Biochemical Society Transactions. 38 588-592
Wheeler, MJ, Vatovec, S and Franklin-Tong, VE. (2010) The pollen S-determinant in Papaver: comparisons with known plant receptors and protein ligand partners. Journal of Experimental Botany. 61 2015-2025
Wheeler, MJ, de Graaf, BHJ, Hadjiosif, N, Perry, RM, Osman K, Poulter NS, Vatovec S, Harper A, Franklin, FCH and Franklin-Tong, VE. (2009) Identification of the pollen self-incompatibility determinant in Papaver rhoeas. Nature. 459 992-995
Wheeler, MJ & Franklin-Tong, VE. (2007). Specifying self-recognition: peptides lead the way. New Phytologist. 175 597-599
de Graaf BHJ*, Rudd JJ*, Wheeler MJ*, Bell EM, Osman K, Perry, R, Franklin FCH and Franklin-Tong VE. (2006) Self-incompatibility in Papaver targets soluble inorganic pyrophosphatases in pollen. Nature. 444 490-493
*joint first author.
Thomas S, Osman K, de Graaf BHJ, Shevchenko G, Wheeler MJ, Franklin FCH, Franklin-Tong VE (2003) Investigating mechanisms involved in the self-incompatibility response in Papaver rhoeas. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences. 358 1033-1036
Wheeler MJ, Armstrong SA, Franklin-Tong VE and Franklin FCH. (2003). Genomic organisation of the Papaver rhoeas self incompatibility S1 locus. Journal of Experimental Botany. 54: 131-139
Wheeler MJ and Franklin FCH. (2002) How plants see themselves - self-incompatibility in flowering plants. The Biologist. 49 (2) 68-72
Wheeler, MJ, Franklin-Tong, VE and Franklin, FCH. (2001). The molecular and genetic basis of pollen-pistil interactions. New Phytologist. 151: 565-584
Wheeler, MJ, Allan, AC, Jordan, ND, Rudd, JJ, Franklin-Tong, VE and Franklin, FCH. (1999). The intracellular events triggered by the self-incompatibility response in Papaver rhoeas. Protoplasma. 208: 99-106
Research Interests
Plant Cell Signalling
Mike's interest in this area stems from research that he carried out for his PhD at the University of Birmingham which resulted in the isolation and characterisation of the pollen receptor that controls self-incompatibility (SI) in the field poppy, Papaver rhoeas (Wheeler et al 2009). The SI system in poppy is controlled by polymorphic secreted ligand proteins (PrsS) and a pollen-specific membrane receptor (PrpS). While no homologues of PrpS have been found in other plants there are known to be homologues of PrsS, the secreted ligand protein (Ride et al 1999, Rajasekar et al 2019). These proteins are found as a large family (84 members) in Arabidopsis thaliana and also in the model moss, Physcomitrella patens.
A current focus of Mike's research is to elucidate the function of these proteins. We know that these proteins are secreted as they each have an N-terminal signal peptide and immunogold studies suggest they localise outside of the cell (figure 2). The Arabidopsis SPH family members are mostly expressed in floral tissues with some being pollen-specific and many others ovule-specific. However one problem with this family is that they appear to contain many duplicate copies and thus are difficult to analyse using traditional gene knockout strategies. Mike is currently attempting to elucidate their function by misexpressing and overexpressing pollen-specific and ovule-specific SPH proteins in Arabidopsis.
Because of the difficulties of studying such a large family of genes Mike is also currently examining the SPH gene family in Physcomitrella patens in association with a colleague at the University of Birmingham, Dr Juliet Coates. The advantage of using Physcomitrella is that there are only 6 SPH genes and the Physcomitrella genome is also known to have less duplication of genes. Additionally this plant is amenable to targeted gene replacement by homologous recombination. Mike is currently investigating the function of these genes via a gene knockout and reporter fusion strategy. In addition, Mike is using a phage display strategy to attempt to find receptors for these proteins.
Molecular Ecology
Mike is also interested in Molecular Ecology. He has worked with several undergraduates and postgraduates in projects aiming to utilise eDNA to detect species as diverse as crayfish, water voles, marsh frogs and otters. Mike is interested in developing research relationships outside the University in this area. Mike is also currently involved in a partnership with the local RSPB group on helping farmland birds by providing winter supplementary feed. Mike has jointly supervised two MRes projects – with Dr John Dutton a project by an MRes student, Dominique Cragg, examining the effects of farmland management on Corn Buntings and with Prof. Ian Maddock, a project by an MRes student Chris Greensmith which examined the possibilities of using eDNA detection of otters in riverine systems.
Mike is also interested in speciation in birds and the role that birdsong, plumage and genetics plays in this process.” He has recently supervised dissertation projects on the subspecies in the Cape White-eye (Zosterops virens) and bare skin colouration in tropical forest birds.