Cells, Genes and Molecules
We investigate the fundamental cellular, genetic, and molecular mechanisms of life, in health and disease.
We are a group of bioscientists investigating life at the cellular, genetic, epigenetic, and molecular levels in both health and disease. Our multi-disciplinary approach encompasses fundamental, applied, and translational research. Focus areas include:
- Cell division
- Cell signalling
- Chromosomes and genome instability
- Gene expression, epigenetics, chromatin
- RNA biology and protein translation
- Technology and drug development
Our research has a wide impact in understanding disease and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues. This includes informing our understanding of infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.
We encourage translation of our fundamental research towards application in healthcare and biotechnology. We have research strengths in:
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Microbiology
- Reproductive biology
Research Impact
Technology developed by theme researchers forms the basis for spin-out companies such as 3DBT, Atelerix, FibroFind, GlycoScore, MarraBio and AMLo Biosciences.
Cancer is one of our focus areas. Many of our members are part of the Newcastle Centre for Cancer. This centre of excellence brings together all cancer researchers and clinicians in Newcastle. This multidisciplinary approach accelerates new discoveries and therapies.
Our researchers have discovered genetic abnormalities that improve diagnosis of leukaemia. This has led to changes in the therapy given to patients. We have identified kinases that control cell division. We have developed inhibitors of cell cycle kinases that serve as leads for drug development. We participated in the development of the PARP inhibitor drug Rubraca. This has now been licenced for the treatment of ovarian cancer. We have uncovered novel cancer signalling pathways and mechanisms of resistance to cancer treatments that will spur the development of new therapeutic approaches.
We conduct leading research in meiosis. Newcastle is one of the few UK centres with access to human oocytes for research purposes. This has facilitated the introduction of oocyte manipulation as a mitochondrial disease therapy. Moving this innovation into the clinic required changes to UK fertility legislation. Theme member Mary Herbert played a significant role in changing these laws.
We have identified genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal diseases including osteoarthritis and used epigenomic approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets for pharmacological intervention.
Researchers in the theme hold programme, project and personal awards from major funders. These include Wellcome, BBSRC, MRC, Horizon2020, Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, Blood Cancer UK, the Lister Institute, and the CF Trust. We provide a dynamic and supportive environment for career development at all stages. We are particularly proud of our early career fellows. They hold Career Development Awards from the MRC, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, and Versus Arthritis.
We aim to communicate the importance of our work to other scientists and to the public. We work with local schools through the 'Leading Edge' project and host students on work experience. We have taken part in the 'Cell Detectives' and 'Genetics Matters' events organised by our core facilities. These fun and engaging sessions allow us to introduce cell and molecular biology to non-scientists.
All life requires that cells can divide to form daughter cells. We study how normal cells carry out cell division. We investigate how defective cell division contributes to cancer, infertility and birth defects. We aim to find ways to prevent cell division to develop new cancer therapies and antibiotics.
Eukaryotic cell division
We want to understand how cells divide and segregate their chromosomes and mitochondria during mitosis and meiosis. To do this, we use mammalian cells, worms and yeast, as well as molecular and structural approaches.
- David Elliott
- Jane Endicott
- Mary Herbert
- Jonathan Higgins
- Mark Levasseur
- David Lydall
- Suzanne Madgwick
- Brian Morgan
- Tom Nicholls
- Josana Rodriguez
Prokaryotic cell division
We study how bacteria accomplish replication and cell division. We are interested in how they can be targeted to develop antibiotics.
Cell signalling is the process by which cells communicate information to each other. These mechanisms allow cells to respond to both extra and intracellular signals. Disruption of these pathways can cause or contribute to the pathology of many diseases. Targeting these pathways forms the basis of many current and future clinical therapies.
Stress responses
We need to understand how cells maintain normal homeostasis and respond to stress and ageing. Failure to protect against the damage caused by cell stress is implicated in many diseases.
- Catherine Arden
- Mike Briggs
- Michael Gray
- Laura Greaves
- Viktor Korolchuk
- Philip Manning
- Brian Morgan
- Brian Ortmann
- Janet Quinn
- Elizabeth Veal
- Katarzyna Pirog
Signalling in cancer
We investigate the pathways leading to cancer development and resistance to therapy. Our aim is to improve current treatments and identify targets for new anti-cancer drugs.
- Shoba Amarnath
- Kelly Coffey
- Jane Endicott
- Luke Gaughan
- Laura Greaves
- John Lunec
- Derek Mann
- Mathew Martin
- Martin Noble
- Neil Perkins
- Craig Robson
- Emma Scott
Immunity and inflammatory responses
Immune and inflammatory responses are regulated by multiple signalling pathways. These determine immune activation versus immune tolerance. Understanding the role of these signalling pathways is critical for the effective use of new immunotherapies.
Chromosome abnormalities influence cell behaviour, particularly in cancer. We study the origins and consequences of these abnormalities.
Chromosome aberrations and aneuploidy
We are interested in the causes and consequences of chromosome aberrations in cancer. These include translocations, rearrangements, gene fusions and mis-regulated genes. We are also interested in why and how cancer cells have the wrong number of chromosomes.
- Christine Harrison
- Jonathan Higgins
- Aneta Mikulasova
- Daniel Rico
- Lisa Russell
- Sarra Ryan
- Paul Sinclair
DNA damage and genome instability
As we age, DNA suffers damage that can influence cell behaviour. This damage can cause cancer or be transmitted to our offspring. We study how this damage is acquired and how our cells respond to it. Our aim is to exploit this response to develop new therapies.
- Caroline Austin
- Ian Cowell
- Ian Hickson
- David Lydall
- Laura Maringele
- Neil Perkins
- Mauro Santibanez-Koref
Cell-specific gene expression programmes are vital for normal cell function. These programmes depend on transcription factors, and they are also influenced by chromatin structure and epigenetic modifications. We study these functions in health, ageing, and diseases such as prostate cancer and arthritis.
Cell and molecular biology of chromatin and transcription
We are interested in the mechanisms that control transcription and alter chromatin structure. We study these processes in mammals, yeast and bacteria.
- Caroline Austin
- Ian Cowell
- Jane Endicott
- Jonathan Higgins
- David Lydall
- Simon Whitehall
- Adam Wollman
- Yulia Yuzenkova
- Nikolay Zenkin
Gene function and epigenetics in disease
We study how genetic and epigenetic factors influence gene expression in disease, including arthritis, cancer, and mitochondrial disease.
- Simon Bamforth
- Marina Danilenko
- David Elliott
- Luke Gaughan
- Sophie Hambleton
- John Loughlin
- Aneta Mikulasova
- Helen Phillips
- Rachel Queen
- Louise Reynard
- Sarah Rice
- Daniel Rico
- Craig Robson
- Jim Stewart
- Dan Williamson
- David Young
RNA plays a fundamental role in gene expression. RNAs can function as messenger or regulatory molecules. They can also serve as components of ribosomes to direct protein synthesis. We study how RNAs are made and utilised in cells.
- Zofia Chrzanowska-Lightowlers
- David Elliott
- Robert Lightowlers
- Sergey Melnikov
- Claudia Schneider
- Andreas Werner
- David Young
Our researchers are developing a range of tools that may provide new diagnostics, therapeutics, and research technologies.
- Che Connon (Tissue engineering)
- Jane Endicott (Kinase inhibitors)
- Jonathan Higgins (Kinomics)
- Jeremy Lakey (Biomaterials)
- Penny Lovat (Melanoma biomarkers)
- Derek Mann (Precision cut tissue slices)
- Philip Manning (Biosensors)
- Jennifer Munkley (Prostate cancer biomarkers)
- Martin Noble (Anti-cancer drug design)
- Matthias Trost (Proteomics)
- Adam Wollman (Single-molecule microscopy)
- Wyatt Yue (Modulators of metabolism)
Research Culture
We supervise approximately 70 PhD students within our theme. We provide research-led teaching in cell and molecular biology at all levels, including the MRes modules 'Chromosome Biology and Cell Cycle Control in Health and Disease', ‘Therapeutic Applications of Cell Signalling Pathways’, ‘Genetics of Common Disease’ and ‘Biomolecular Research in Health and Disease’.
The majority of our undergraduate teaching is on courses in the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Science.
We provide a dynamic and supportive environment for career development at all stages. We organise mentorship and personalised career advice including for fellowship applications.
We promote the values of EDI in everything we do.
Deputy Theme Leads: David Elliott and Sarah Rice.
EDI Leads: Emma Scott, Rachel Queen and Brian Ortmann.