Dr Jennifer Paxton

Senior Lecturer in Anatomy

Dr Jennifer Paxton

Senior Lecturer in Anatomy

  • University of Edinburgh

Contact details

Address

Old Medical School
Teviot Place
EH8 9AG

Other affiliations

Biography

Jennifer began her academic journey at the University of Glasgow, earning a BSc (Hons) in Anatomy in 2004. She then completed an MSc in Bioengineering at the University of Strathclyde, where she integrated her anatomical knowledge with engineering principles to explore healthcare innovations. This experience sparked her interest in Tissue Engineering, leading her to pursue a PhD in the field at the University of Dundee, which she completed in 2009.

Following her PhD, Jennifer conducted postdoctoral research in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham from 2009 to 2013.

In early 2014, she joined the University of Edinburgh as a Lecturer in Anatomy and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2020. In 2021, she was elected a Fellow of The Anatomical Society and was honoured to be named as New Fellow of the Year.

Jennifer has published extensively in leading journals focused on Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials, and she frequently serves as a reviewer for journals and funding bodies in these areas. She is on the Editorial Board of several journals and has served as Guest Editor for a Journal of Anatomy Special Issue. 

She is an active member of several professional societies, including the Tissue and Cell Engineering Society (TCES), The Anatomical Society, the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS), and the UK Society of Biomaterials (UKSB). She also contributes to The Anatomical Society as a member of its Research Advisory Committee and leads its Outreach and Engagement group of the Education Committee.

Teaching overview

Jennifer is the Programme Director for the Anatomical Sciences postgraduate programme—an online anatomy qualification that she established in 2015. In this role, she manages the overall academic delivery and also serves as course organiser for four courses. In this role, she had led the introduction of innovative online educational approaches and enhanced the online student experience with the use of new software, collaborative tools and 3D scanning and printing outputs from The ATLAS Facility.

In addition to her leadership in the postgraduate programme, Jennifer is actively involved in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and assessment on campus at the University of Edinburgh. Her teaching spans across the MBChB programme (Years 1–5), the MSc in Human Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, as well as key contributions to courses including Anatomy & Pathology 2, Anatomy & Development 3 & 4, Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences core courses.

Research Overview

Anatomically relevant tissue engineering

The Paxton Lab focuses on the tissue engineering of musculoskeletal structures and their interfaces. Tissue engineering aims to create functional replacement tissues in the lab by integrating biological and engineering principles. Our specific interests lie in the development of laboratory-grown ligaments and tendons, as well as the recreation of complex interfaces between these tissues and bone.

Our multidisciplinary research incorporates a variety of advanced techniques, including 3D cell culture, imaging, bioreactor design, and mechanical testing. Current projects include:

  1. Mechanisms of Musculoskeletal Tissue Interface FormationWe use 2D and 3D culture systems to study co-cultured cell populations, focusing on their behaviour, organisation, and interactions.
  2. Engineering Multiphasic Tissue Constructs for ImplantationBy combining scaffolds with specific cell populations, we aim to manufacture complete tissue constructs such as bone-to-bone ligaments, osteochondral plugs, and bone-tendon grafts for clinical use.
  3. Developing 3D In Vitro Models for Disease and Repair StudiesOur 3D culture platforms provide anatomically relevant models to explore musculoskeletal diseases and potential treatments.
  4. Using Anatomical Dissection to Explore Tissue Architecture and Inform Design of Tissue-engineered Replacements.

Our tissue-engineered replacements are carefully designed based on human morphometric data analyses from cadaveric studies. 

Students interested in these areas of research are encouraged to contact Dr. Paxton via email.

3D Scanning and Printing in Anatomical Sciences

Dr. Paxton recently launched the ATLAS (Anatomy Teaching Lab Additive Manufacturing and Scanning) project within Anatomy@Edinburgh. This initiative explores the use of 3D scanning and printing technologies to develop customised, interactive teaching tools in both digital and physical formats.

These innovative tools are being used to enhance anatomy education across online and on-campus settings, while also serving as engaging resources for public outreach and engagement. Dr. Paxton’s efforts and leadership of the ATLAS Facility were recognised with a College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Student Experience Award in 2024.

Recent ATLAS projects include:

  • Developing interactive digital models for anatomy education using 3D scanning
  • Creating physical teaching tools by combining 3D scanning with additive manufacturing
  • Developing novel 3D printed tools for anatomy learning 

Public Engagement

Jennifer is a passionate science communicator and an active STEM ambassador, frequently engaging with school children to inspire interest in science and promote careers in STEM. She has participated in a range of science communication initiatives, including ‘I’m a Scientist…Get Me Out of Here!’, where she was voted winner of the Health Zone in 2013 and the Enquiry Zone in 2018.

In 2018, Jennifer received funding from The Royal Society to lead a collaborative outreach project titled Building Body Parts—an anatomy and tissue engineering programme delivered in a local primary school. She continues to develop this initiative for further school engagement sessions and as part of the Anatomy@Edinburgh Public Workshop series. 

Most recently, she authored the popular anatomy book Anatomicum, a beautifully illustrated and accessible exploration of the human body. Anatomicum is published by Big Picture Press in collaboration with the Wellcome Collection and is part of the acclaimed Welcome to the Museum series, aimed at engaging readers of all ages with the wonders of human anatomy.

Publications

Books

  • Paxton J.Z. (2019) Anatomicum published by Big Picture Press in collaboration with the Wellcome Collection– a popular science book describing the anatomy of the human body (age 9-upwards). Co-editions published in 17 other languages. (also see public engagement).
  • Paxton J.Z. (2020) Anatomicum Activity Book published by Big Picture Press.
  • Paxton J.Z. (2020) Anatomicum Junior Edition published by Big Picture Press in collaboration with the Wellcome Collection. A simplified version of Anatomicum for younger readers (6-9 years).
  • Paxton J.Z. (2021) Anatomicum Postcards. A collection of illustrated postcards from the Anatomicum series 

Book chapters

  • Woodhead J. and Paxton J.Z (2023) Production of human osteological replicas using a combination of structured light scanning and 3D printing technologies accepted in Biomedical Visualisation: Applications of Digital Visualisation in Life Sciences Education and Public Engagement ISBN: 978-3-031-73269-0
  • Kelly E., Elcock K., Gibson-Watt., T., Wilson L., Boyd M., Paxton J.Z. (2023) Developing digital resources for anatomy teaching using structured light scanning technology: a student and educator opinion-based study. Accepted in Biomedical Visualisation: Applications of Digital Visualisation in Life Sciences Education and Public Engagement. ISBN: 978-3-031-73269-0
  • Paxton J.Z. and Murray L.M. (2017) Prenatal development of the musculoskeletal system in the human. Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Child Development. Edited by Hopkins, Geangu and Linkenauger. Cambridge University Press. 

Papers

  • Mok S., Simpson A.H.W., Paxton J.Z. (2025) Development and Validation of a novel approach for quantifying dimensions of the lateral ligaments of the ankle. Accepted in Journal of Anatomy (special issue)
  • Mortimer J.M., Rust., P.A., Paxton J.Z. (2024) Anatomical Design and Production of a Novel 3-Dimensional Co-Culture System Replicating the Human Flexor Digitorum Profundus Enthesis J Anat. 2024 Feb 23. doi: 10.1111/joa.14027 Journal of Anatomy (special issue)
  • Krivankova B., Burns M., Gasser I., Dewet C., Gohil R., Hathorn I., Paxton J.Z., Okasha M., Peden R., Hughes M. (2024) Repair of lateral temporo-sphenoidal encephalocoele via an endoscopic transorbital approach: ex vivo 3D printed simulation followed by in vivo deployment. British Journal of Neurosurgery https://doi.org/10.1080/02688697.2023.2297878
  • Prabhakaran V., Melchels F.P.W., Murray L.M., Paxton J.Z. (2023) Biofabrication of 3D bone mini-tissues by guided fusion of cell spheroids. Front Endocrinol 19;14:1308604. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1308604. Invited contribution to Women in Bone Research Special Issue.
  • Bartel T., Mortimer J.W., Zylka W., Paxton J.Z., Vorstius J. (2023) Design and development of a bioreactor system for mechanical stimulation of musculoskeletal tissue Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering 2023;9(1): 122-125 (special issue of Biomedical Engineering).
  • Loukopoulou C, Mortimer JW, Paxton JZ. (2022) Making connections: using anatomy to guide tissue engineering approaches at the enthesis. Eur Cell Mater. May 5;43:162-178. doi: 10.22203/eCM.v043a14. PMID: 35510558.
  • Mortimer JW, Alsaykhan H, Vadibeler S, Rust PA, Paxton JZ. (2021) Anatomy and histomorphology of the flexor digitorum profundus enthesis: functional implications for tissue engineering and surgery. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 10;22(1):1032. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04922-1. PMID: 34893040;
  • Liew, M. Y., Mortimer, J., Paxton, J. Z., Tham, S., & Rust, P. (2021) Histomorphology of the subregions of the scapholunate ligament and its enthesis Journal of Wrist Surgery DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1723792
  • Alsaykhan H. and Paxton J.Z. (2020) Investigating materials and orientation parameters for the creation of a 3-D musculoskeletal interface co-culture model. Regenerative Biomaterials 7(4) 413-425
  • Kelsey A., McCulloch V. Gillingwater TG., Findlater G., Paxton JZ (2019) Anatomical Sciences at Edinburgh: Initial experiences of teaching anatomy online. Translational Research in Anatomy 19, 100065.
  • Wang A., Williams R.L., Jumbu N., Paxton J.Z., Davis E.T., Snow M.A., Ritchie A.C., Johansson C.B., Sammons R.L. Grover L.M. (2016) Development of tissue engineered ligaments with titanium spring reinforcement. RSC Advances 100
  • Smith A.M., Paxton J.Z., Hung Y.P., Hadley M.J., Bowen J., Williams R.L., Grover L.M. (2015). Nanoscale crystallinity modulates cell proliferation on plasma sprayed surfaces. Materials Science & Engineering C. 48(5-10).
  • Wudebwe U.N.G., Bannerman A., Goldberg-Oppenheimer P., Paxton J.Z., Williams R.L., Grover L.M. (2015). Exploiting cell-mediated contraction and adhesion to structure tissues in vitro. Philosophical transactions B. 370(1661).
  • Lebled C., Grover L.M, Paxton J.Z. (2014) Combined decellularisation and dehydration improves the mechanical properties of tissue-engineered sinews. Journal of Tissue Engineering. 23;5.
  • Tan Y., Liu Y., Zhao Z., Paxton J.Z., Grover L.M (2014) Synthesis and in vitro degradation of a novel magnesium oxychloride cement. J Biomed Mater Res A. 103(1):194-202
  • Jordan R, Saithna A, Paxton JZ, Grover L, Krikler SJ, Thompson P. (2014) Early loosening of tantalum patellar augments in the post-patellectomy knee. Current Orthopaedic Practice.25(5) 472-477.
  • Koburger S.K., Bannerman A., Grover L.M., Mueller F., Bowen J., Paxton J.Z. (2014) A novel method for monitoring mineralisation in hydrogels at the engineered hard/soft tissue interface. Biomaterials Science. 2(1) 41-51. Selected for front cover.
  • Bannerman A., Paxton J.Z., Grover L.M. (2013) Imaging the hard/soft tissue interface. Biotechnology Letters. Epub. PMID:24129952.
  • Paxton J.Z., Baar K., Grover L.M. (2012) Current progress in enthesis repair: strategies for interfacial tissue engineering. Orthopaedic and Muscular system special issue. 2012 S1.
  • Paxton J.Z., Wudebwe U., Wang A., Woods D., Grover L.M. (2012) Monitoring sinew contraction during formation of tissue-engineered fibrin-based ligament constructs. Tissue Eng Part A 18(15-16):1596-607
  • Paxton J.Z., Hagerty P., Andrick J.J., Baar K. (2012) Optimizing an intermittent stretch paradigm using ERK1/2 phosphorylation results in increased collagen synthesis in engineered ligaments. Tissue Eng Part A 18(3-4) 277-84.
  • Mehrban N, Paxton J.Z., Bowen J., Bolarinwa A., Vorndran E., Gbureck U., Grover L.M. (2011) Comparing physicochemical properties of printed and hand cast biocements designed for ligament replacement Advances in Applied Ceramics 110  3 162-167.   
  • Jahromi S.H., Grover L.M., Paxton J.Z., Smith A.M. (2011) Degradation of polysaccharide hydrogels seeded with bone marrow stromal cells. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 4(7):1157-66.
  • Paxton J.Z., Grover L.M. and Baar K.(2010) Engineering an in vitro model of a functional ligament from bone to bone. Tissue Eng Part A 16(11):3515-25
  • Paxton J.Z., Donnelly K, Keatch RP, Baar K, Grover LM. (2010)  Factors affecting the longevity and strength in an in vitro model of the bone-ligament interface. Ann Biomed Eng. 38(6):2155-66.
  • Maher P.S., Keatch R.P., Donnelly K., Mackay R. Paxton J.Z.  (2009) Construction of 3D Biological Matrices using Rapid Prototyping Technology. Rapid Prototyping Journal. 15(3) 204-210.
  • Paxton J.Z., Donnelly K., Keatch R.P., Baar K. (2009) Engineering the bone-ligament Interface using Polyethyene glycol diacrylate incorporated with hydroxyapatite. Tissue Eng Part A.15(6):1201-9.
  • Khodabukas A.K., Paxton J.Z., Donnelly K., Baar K. (2007) Engineered muscle: a tool for studying muscle physiology and function. Exerc. Sport Sci.Rev. 35(4):186-91.
  • Paxton J.Z. and Baar K. (2007) Tendon Mechanics: the argument heats up. J. Appl. Physiol.103(2) 423-4 .

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