
Professor Ingeborg Hers
M.Sc.(Amst.), Ph.D.(Utrecht)
Current positions
Professor of Pharmacology and Cell Signalling
Bristol Medical School (THS)
Contact
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Research interests
Our group investigates the complex signalling pathways that regulate platelet activation and thrombus formation, with a particular focus on how dysregulated signalling contributes to platelet hyperactivity in cardiovascular disease. A central aspect of our work is the design, synthesis, and evaluation of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as powerful tools to study and manipulate platelet signalling. PROTACs function by recruiting a target protein to an E3 ubiquitin ligase, leading to its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation by the proteasome. This mechanism allows for the complete and selective removal of specific proteins from the cell, rather than simply inhibiting their activity, offering unique advantages in dissecting complex signalling networks. Applying this technology to platelets, anucleate cells with limited protein synthesis, provides an exciting opportunity to study protein turnover and pathway regulation in a system where traditional genetic tools are not feasible. We are particularly interested in using PROTACs to target key signalling mediators such as Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), which plays a central role in GPVI and CLEC-2 pathways. By combining chemical biology with platelet physiology, our goal is to uncover new insights into platelet signalling and to develop innovative anti-platelet therapies that can prevent thrombosis without increasing bleeding risk.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
PROTACs as a novel approach to target tyrosine kinases for degradation in human platelets
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDates
01/10/2023 to 30/09/2026
PROTACs as a novel approach to target tyrosine kinases for degradation in human platelets
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDates
01/10/2023 to 30/09/2026
PGI2-PAH CIC project-additional funding
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDates
01/07/2022 to 30/06/2023
MRC Confidence in Concept (CiC) - Ingeborg Hers
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of BiochemistryDates
01/03/2020 to 30/06/2022
Investigating the role of the STE kinase STK24/MST3 in platelet function and thrombosis
Principal Investigator
Description
STK24/MST3 is a Ser/Thr kinase that has been demonstrated in neutrophils to coordinate Munc13-4 driven release of secretory granules. Similar secretatory machinary exists in platelets and has been demonstrated to…Managing organisational unit
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDates
22/05/2018 to 23/07/2019
Thesis supervisions
The Effect of Hyperglycaemia and Thrombopoietin on Platelet Function
Supervisors
Identification and Elucidation of Novel Platelet Primers
Supervisors
Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras
Supervisors
The Effect of Synthetic Prostanoids on Platelet and Vascular Function
Supervisors
Cognition and motivation in rodent models of neuropsychiatric disorders
Supervisors
Investigating In Vitro Platelet Production Through a Microscopy Lens
Supervisors
Investigating the health and function of murine platelets generated using a new ex-vivo lung system
Supervisors
Defining the molecular pharmacology of ticagrelor
Supervisors
Effects of cigarettes and e-cigarettes on platelet function
Supervisors
Exploring emotional behavior in rodents using models of affective bias and self-awareness
Supervisors
Publications
Recent publications
22/05/2025IL-6 as a Mediator of Platelet Hyper-Responsiveness
Cells
PROTACs in platelets
Current Opinions in Hematology
CryoET reveals actin filaments within platelet microtubules
Nature Communications
Difluorinated thromboxane A2 reveals crosstalk between platelet activatory and inhibitory pathways by targeting both the TP and IP receptors
British Journal of Pharmacology
Alterations in platelet proteome signature and impaired platelet integrin αIIbβ3 activation in patients with COVID-19
Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis


