Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Dr Jonathan Ball

Dr Jonathan Ball

Senior Research Fellow

 J.Ball@exeter.ac.uk

 Not Known

 Geoffrey Pope 223

 

Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter , Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK

Overview

I joined Exeter University from AstraZeneca as part of the Zebrafish Research team in May 2014.

I have considerable experience of environmental toxicology from my Ph.D and post-doctoral research on the effects of Ethinyl oestradiol on gene expression and sexual development of the Zebrafish, and investigating the effects of environmental pollutants on a range of fish species, respectively.

For 7 years I have worked in external commercial industry using the Zebrafish as a toxicity model with 5 years based at Brixham Environmental research Laboratories working for AstraZeneca. At AstraZeneca I was the technical lead for non-mammalian alternatives for the assessment of Developmental Toxicology.  Recognized as an industry expert and the industry technical lead for an international consortium of five leading pharmaceutical companies (AZ, Pfizer, BMS, Amgen and Abbott), who joined forces to standardise the Zebrafish Developmental toxicity assay. 

Initiated and led the training of technical experts across the consortia.  Supporting a new research collaboration to identify novel complimentary techniques using the Zebrafish model, to extend its application and to encourage wider acceptance and usage within industry.  Use my knowledge and expertise to support research colleagues in the development of other novel zebrafish assays for the assessment of human safety.

Broad research specialisms:

  • Zebrafish
  • Developmental toxicity
  • Environmental safety
  • Human safety

Qualifications

1996-2000 B.Sc., Biochemistry, Cardiff University
2000-2004 Ph.D., Biology, Exeter University

Career

2004-2007: Research technician, University of Exeter

2007-2009: Research Scientist Summit Plc

2009-2014: Research Scientist Safety,  Health and Environment (SHE) specialist
Brixham Environmental Laboratory, AstraZeneca

2014-Present: Research Fellow, University of Exeter

Research group links

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Research

Research interests

  • Developmental biology
  • Zebrafish
  • Drug safety
  • Alternative models

Research projects

Pharmaceutical industrial partnership for the assesment for developmental toxicity

Agrochemical industrial partnership for the assesment for developmental toxicity

Confidence in Concept Platform: Promoting Innovation and collaboration: Translational Medicine in Exeter 2 (PICTME2) - MRC

European Teratology Society Zebrafish Research Project

Estimation of volume and morphological abnormalities in larval zebrafish using machine learning

Research networks

Europeant Teratology Society (Zebrafish)

Ecotoxicology and Aquatic Biology Research Group

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Publications

Journal articles

Winter MJ, Ono Y, Ball JS, Walentinsson A, Michaelsson E, Tochwin A, Scholpp S, Tyler CR, Rees S, Hetheridge MJ, et al (2022). A Combined Human in Silico and CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated in Vivo Zebrafish Based Approach to Provide Phenotypic Data for Supporting Early Target Validation. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13
Winter MJ, Pinion J, Tochwin A, Takesono A, Ball JS, Grabowski P, Metz J, Trznadel M, Tse K, Redfern WS, et al (2021). Functional brain imaging in larval zebrafish for characterising the effects of seizurogenic compounds acting via a range of pharmacological mechanisms. Br J Pharmacol, 178(13), 2671-2689. Abstract.  Author URL.
Hoyberghs J, Bars C, Pype C, Foubert K, Ayuso Hernando M, Van Ginneken C, Ball J, Van Cruchten S (2020). Refinement of the zebrafish embryo developmental toxicity assay. MethodsX, 7 Abstract.
Winter MJ, Windell D, Metz J, Matthews P, Pinion J, Brown JT, Hetheridge MJ, Ball JS, Owen SF, Redfern WS, et al (2018). Author Correction: 4-dimensional functional profiling in the convulsant-treated larval zebrafish brain. Sci Rep, 8(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Brown AR, Green J, Moreman J, Gunnarsson L, Mourabit S, Ball J, Winter M, Trznadel M, Correia A, Hacker C, et al (2018). Cardiovascular Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Bisphenol a and its Metabolite MBP in Zebrafish. Environmental Science and Technology
Verbueken E, Bars C, Ball JS, Periz-Stanacev J, Marei WFA, Tochwin A, Gabriëls IJ, Michiels EDG, Stinckens E, Vergauwen L, et al (2018). From mRNA Expression of Drug Disposition Genes to in Vivo Assessment of CYP-Mediated Biotransformation during Zebrafish Embryonic and Larval Development. Int J Mol Sci, 19(12). Abstract.  Author URL.
Winter MJ, Windell D, Metz J, Matthews P, Pinion J, Brown JT, Hetheridge MJ, Ball JS, Owen SF, Redfern WS, et al (2017). 4-dimensional functional profiling in the convulsant-treated larval zebrafish brain. Sci Rep, 7(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Zhang C, Ball J, Panzica-Kelly J, Augustine-Rauch K (2016). In Vitro Developmental Toxicology Screens: a Report on the Progress of the Methodology and Future Applications. Chem Res Toxicol, 29(4), 534-544. Abstract.  Author URL.
Parker T, Libourel P-A, Hetheridge MJ, Cumming RI, Sutcliffe TP, Goonesinghe AC, Ball JS, Owen SF, Chomis Y, Winter MJ, et al (2014). A multi-endpoint in vivo larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) model for the assessment of integrated cardiovascular function. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods, 69(1), 30-38. Abstract.  Author URL.
Corcoran J, Lange A, Cumming RI, Owen SF, Ball JS, Tyler CR, Winter MJ (2014). Bioavailability of the imidazole antifungal agent clotrimazole and its effects on key biotransformation genes in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Aquat Toxicol, 152, 57-65. Abstract.  Author URL.
Ball JS, Stedman DB, Hillegass JM, Zhang CX, Panzica-kelly J, Coburn A, Enright BP, Tornesi B, Amouzadeh HR, Hetheridge M, et al (2014). Fishing for teratogens: a consortium effort for a harmonized zebrafish developmental toxicology assay. Toxicological Sciences, 139(1), 210-219. Abstract.
Gustafson A-L, Stedman DB, Ball J, Hillegass JM, Flood A, Zhang CX, Panzica-Kelly J, Cao J, Coburn A, Enright BP, et al (2013). Inter-laboratory assessment of a harmonized zebrafish developmental toxicology assay—Progress report on phase I. Reproductive Toxicology, 41
Santos EM, Hamilton PB, Coe TS, Ball JS, Cook AC, Katsiadaki I, Tyler CR (2013). Population bottlenecks, genetic diversity and breeding ability of the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from three polluted English Rivers. Aquatic Toxicology, 142-143, 264-271. Abstract.
Gustafson A-L, Stedman DB, Ball J, Hillegass JM, Flood A, Zhang CX, Panzica-Kelly J, Cao J, Coburn A, Enright BP, et al (2012). Inter-laboratory assessment of a harmonized zebrafish developmental toxicology assay - progress report on phase I. Reprod Toxicol, 33(2), 155-164. Abstract.  Author URL.
Gustafson A-L, Stedman DB, Ball J, Hillegass JM, Zhang CX, Panzica-Kelly J, Coburn A, Enright BP, Amouzadeh HR, Tornesi MB, et al (2012). Zebrafish As a Model for Predicting Developmental Toxicity. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH PART A-CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR TERATOLOGY, 94(5), 309-309.  Author URL.
Katsiadaki I, Williams TD, Ball JS, Bean TP, Sanders MB, Wu H, Santos EM, Brown MM, Baker P, Ortega F, et al (2010). Hepatic transcriptomic and metabolomic responses in the Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) exposed to ethinyl-estradiol. Aquat Toxicol, 97(3), 174-187. Abstract.  Author URL.
Santos EM, Ball JS, Williams TD, Wu H, Ortega F, van Aerle R, Katsiadaki I, Falciani F, Viant MR, Chipman JK, et al (2010). Identifying health impacts of exposure to copper using transcriptomics and metabolomics in a fish model. Environ Sci Technol, 44(2), 820-826. Abstract.  Author URL.
Williams TD, Wu H, Santos EM, Ball J, Katsiadaki I, Brown MM, Baker P, Ortega F, Falciani F, Craft JA, et al (2009). Hepatic transcriptomic and metabolomic responses in the stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of dibenzanthracene. Environ Sci Technol, 43(16), 6341-6348. Abstract.  Author URL.
Williams TD, Brown M, Chipman JK, Falciani F, Ortega F, Geoghegan F, Craft JA, Katsiadaki I, Ball J, Tyler CR, et al (2008). Development of a stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) cDNA microarray and gene expression responses to dibenzanthracene, ethinyl-estradiol and copper. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, 66(1), 140-140.  Author URL.
Schulz RW, Bogerd J, Male R, Ball J, Fenske M, Olsen LC, Tyler CR (2007). Estrogen-induced alterations in <i>amh</i> and <i>dmrt1</i> expression signal for disruption in male sexual development in the zebrafish. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 41(17), 6305-6310.  Author URL.
Booth T, Gilbert J, Neufeld JD, Ball J, Thurston M, Chipman K, Joint I, Field D (2007). Handlebar: a flexible, web-based inventory manager for handling barcoded samples. BioTechniques, 42(3), 300-302.

Chapters

Tyler CR, Filby AL, van Aerle R, Lange A, Ball J, Santos EM (2008). Fish toxicogenomics. In  (Ed) Advances in Experimental Biology, Elsevier.

Conferences

Winter MJ, Ball J, Goonesinghe A, Hetheridge M (2013). The utility of the zebrafish for drug safety assessment: an industry perspective.  Author URL.
Gustafson A-L, Stedman DB, Ball J, Hillegass JM, Flood A, Zhang CX, Panzica-Kelly J, Coburn A, Enright BP, Tornesi BM, et al (2012). Inter-laboratory assessment of a harmonized zebrafish developmental toxicology assay.  Author URL.
Tyler CR, Ball J, Maack G, Paull G, Santos EM (2002). Endocrine disruption in vertebrate wildlife - Today's story.  Author URL.

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External Engagement and Impact

Committee/panel activities

Bioscience EDI


Invited lectures

British Teratogenic Society 2013

European Teratogenic Society 2013


Journal and book series Editorships and Editorial board membership

Frontiers in Toxicology as Review Editor for the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology section

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Office Hours:

Monday-Friday

9am to 5pm

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