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Staff Profile

Dr Judith Hall

Reader in Molecular Urology

  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 8346
  • Address: Newcastle University Biosciences Institute
    M2.019, Cookson Building,
    University of Newcastle
    Medical School
    Framlington Place
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    NE2 4HH
Background

Qualifications

BSc Biochemistry, University of Warwick
PhD University of Newcastle

Memberships

Society for Immunology; Society for General Microbiology ; Biochemical Society




Teaching

Newcastle University Biosciences Institute Director of Education

Education Theme lead for Microbes in Health & Disease


Teaching : 

CMB1003;Microbiology & Immunology (UG)

CMB1006; Practical Skills in Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences (UG)

PSC3011/13; Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract (UG)

MMS8102.Human Health & Impact of Microbial Genomics (PG)

Supervision of Stage 3 & 4 UG research projects and MRes research projects 



Research

Research Interests


    

Innate Defences of the Urinary Tract: Antimicrobial Proteins and Peptides

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major health issue with up to 50% of the female population experiencing at least one episode in their lifetime and 1:4 suffering recurrent infections. Antibiotics are the mainstay treatment, but the use of such agents has led to increasing antimicrobial resistance amongst uropathogens.   My group is focused on understanding how the urinary tract defends itself against infection and why some people are more susceptible to recurrent urinary tract infections. Collaborators include Mr Chris Harding (Newcastle University & Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust), Dr Phillip Aldridge (Newcastle University), Professor Jenny Southgate (University of York), Mr Ased Ali (Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield) and Prof Soman Abraham (Duke University).  

Our focus has been on studying uncomplicated UTIs and our aims are to use clinical and in vitro approaches to:

  1. Investigate whether patients suffering repeated uncomplicated rUTIs are genetically predisposed to such infections.

  2. Understand the molecular interactions occurring between uropathogens and the vaginal and bladder epithelia.

  3. Explore potential urothelial defence mechanisms that can be exploited in the development of new therapies to be used alongside or instead of antibiotics.

A new area of research focusses on complicated UTIs and particularly those linked to the use of intermittent single use catheters (ISC). This study has exploited clinical samples banked from a NIHR funded clinical trial called AnTIC, led by Professor Pickard (deceased). The study is exploring potential links between patient host genetics, infection and the isolation of antibiotic resistant uropathogens.   

We acknowledge the support of funders including the Rosetrees Trust, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Dr William Edmund Harker Foundation.

We are open to enquiries from prospective PhD students and Post-doctoral Fellows. 

Past funders include The Wellcome Trust; Wellbeing of Women, BRC and MRC .   

Publications