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Biography
Dr. Lorna Milne is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow funded by Kidney Research UK, specialising in analytical glycobiology and mass spectrometry imaging. Her current research, based at the University of Nottingham, focuses on the development and application of 3D Orbi-SIMS to investigate glycosaminoglycan (GAG) alterations in renal diseases, including Alport Syndrome and pregnancy-associated pathologies. She plays a key role in several collaborative projects aimed at high-throughput cancer biomarker discovery and method development in imaging mass spectrometry.
Dr. Milne completed her PhD in Analytical Glycobiology at the University of Nottingham, where she pioneered the use of ToF-SIMS as a label-free, in-situ method for GAG analysis across a range of biological systems. Her research has been internationally recognised through numerous talks and awards, and she has contributed to the development of innovative workflows now being applied to disease-specific biomolecular imaging.
She has experience mentoring students, coordinating research collaborations, and leading science communication initiatives. Dr. Milne is an active member of the British Microcirculation and Vascular Biology Society Committee and is passionate about increasing visibility and inclusivity within science.
Expertise Summary
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Analytical Glycobiology - Specialised in spatially resolved, in-situ glycosaminoglycan analysis using imaging mass spectrometry.
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Mass Spectrometry Imaging - Expertise in ToF-SIMS and 3D Orbi-SIMS instrumentation and data analysis using SurfaceLab software.
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Renal Pathophysiology - Application of imaging mass spectrometry to study GAG alterations in renal diseases including Alport Syndrome and physiological states such as pregnancy.
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Stem Cell & Tissue Models - Skilled in human/mouse stem cell culture and glycosaminoglycan synthetic mutants in 2D and 3D environments.
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Interdisciplinary Collaboration - Proven track record of establishing and supporting international academic and industrial research partnerships.
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Teaching & Mentoring - Experience in supervising undergraduate, MSc, and PhD students, as well as contributing to postgraduate teaching.
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Public Engagement & Outreach - Long-standing involvement in science communication initiatives including Pint of Science and Science Brainwaves.
Research Summary
Dr. Lorna Milne's research is situated at the intersection of analytical glycobiology, renal pathophysiology, and cutting-edge imaging technologies. Her work primarily focuses on developing and… read more
Current Research
Dr. Lorna Milne's research is situated at the intersection of analytical glycobiology, renal pathophysiology, and cutting-edge imaging technologies. Her work primarily focuses on developing and applying time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and 3D Orbi-SIMS as novel, label-free approaches for the in-situ characterisation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), particularly within complex biological tissues and disease models.
During her PhD at the University of Nottingham, Dr. Milne established a robust workflow for spatially resolved GAG analysis using ToF-SIMS, validating the technique across diverse sample types including cell lines, tissue sections and liquid biopsies. Her work revealed new insights into the spatial distribution and sulphation patterns of GAGs without the need for labels or extensive sample preparation. As part of this, she initiated and contributed to multiple international collaborations with academic and industrial partners, accelerating the translational potential of mass spectrometry imaging in biomedical research.
Now funded by Kidney Research UK, Dr. Milne's postdoctoral research applies 3D Orbi-SIMS to investigate structural changes in the endothelial glycocalyx and glomerular filtration barrier in renal diseases such as Alport Syndrome and pregnancy-related nephropathy. Her interdisciplinary approach combines imaging mass spectrometry, disease modelling and image analysis to uncover molecular biomarkers and improve our understanding of renal microvascular biology.
Beyond renal research, Dr. Milne is also involved in several collaborative projects using SIMS for high-throughput cancer biomarker discovery and platform development. Her broader interests include extracellular matrix biology, stem cell-based disease modelling, and advancing imaging technologies for precision medicine.