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Staff Profile

Dr Beth Lawry

Lecturer

  • Email: beth.lawry@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: 0191 208 5490
  • Address: School of Biomedical Sciences
    Faculty of Medical Sciences
    Newcastle University
    Framlington Place
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE2 4HH
Background

I am a lecturer in the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences.

I am the module leader for CMB1003 - Microbiology and Immunology, CMB1005 - Practical skills in Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, BMS3016 - Science Communication and CMB3005 - Study abroad year. I am also the placement lead academic, assisting students in finding year-long and summer placements.

Research interests

  • Vaccine development
  • Bacterial biomarkers
  • Microbiology/ immunology
  • Diagnostics
  • Antibody development
  • Bioinformatics - especially subcellular localisation tools



Research

My research involves the use of a novel bioinformatics system to identify unique biomarkers for pathogenic bacteria, along with laboratory methods to produce and characterise monoclonal antibodies to bind to these biomarkers. These in silico and laboratory systems could be used to identify biomarkers that are suitable for point of care diagnostics, vaccines, epidemiological studies and therapeutics. I work with pathogenic bacteria including C. difficile, MRSA, N. gonorrhoeae, P. aeruginosa and E.coli.

The techniques I use include:

  • Western blot
  • ELISA
  • Antibody production and purification
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy
  • Recombinant protein production
  • Protein purification
  • Flow cytometry
  • Cell culture
  • Lateral flow strips
  • Transmission electron microscopy
  • Microscale thermophoresis
  • Bioinformatics techniques, especially protein localisation tools and epitope prediction tools


I also perform pedagogical research looking into the impact of placements on students and also working with students as collaborators. 



Teaching

I am a microbiology and immunology lecturer, teaching on the following modules:

  • CMB1003 Microbiology and immunology - module leader 
  • CMB1005 Practical skills in biomedical and biomolecular sciences - module leader
  • CMB3016 Science communication - module leader
  • CMB3005 Study abroad year - module leader
  • CMB1004 Cell biology
  • CMB2004 Cell and Molecular Biology of the Immune System
  • BMS2012 Clinical Immunology and Viral Pathogens
  • CMB1006 Practical Skills in Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences 2 
  • BMS2002 Cell Biology and Disease - Seminars only
  • CMB2000 Essential Biomedical Research Skills - Laboratory practicals only
  • CMB3001 Experimental Design and the Process of Research - Final year lab project

I am also the SMBS academic placement lead, providing support for students wanting to find year-long and summer placements.

Publications