Research Group

Cell and Developmental Biology

Rounded shapes and chemistry structures.

We research how cells become specialised, communicate with each other and respond to the environment, leading to an impact on the development of cancer, neurological diseases and the function of the immune system.

About

Our research provides a natural training environment for the next generation of scientists by combining molecular, biochemical, gene editing and imaging approaches with structural biology. This enables advanced investigations into the complex mechanisms of fundamental biology.

We pursue a range of interests including:

  • the molecular organisation of proteins and nucleic acids
  • cell signalling pathways controlling gene expression, autophagy and cell growth
  • mechanisms of chromosome segregation
  • the structure and function of the immune system, plant growth and environmental interactions
  • membrane proteins and cellular function 

Our research provides experimental platforms to collaborate with other researchers in other areas. For instance, we work with our colleagues in medicine to exploit structural and functional studies on how cancer cells evade the immune system.

Research highlights

People, projects and publications

People

Dr Angus Wann PhD

Associate Professor in Cell Physiology

Research interests

  • Mechanobiology
  • Primary Cilia
  • Developing developmental engineering approaches to tissue biology 

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Angus

Dr Claire Clarkin

Assoc Prof in Develpmtl & Skeltl Biology
Connect with Claire

Dr Daniel Kaganovich

Associate Professor of Neurobiology
Connect with Daniel

Dr David Tumbarello

Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences

Research interests

  • Membrane Trafficking
  • Autophagy
  • Mitochondrial Quality Control

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with David

Dr Emily Gwyer Findlay MSci PhD FHEA

Assoc Professor in Biomedical Sciences

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Emily

Dr Joern Werner

Reader in Structural Biology
Connect with Joern

Dr Kif Liakath-Ali MSc, MPhil, PhD.

Lecturer in Advanced Cell Biology

Research interests

  • Regulation of RNA splicing
  • RNA Splicing Misregulation in Neurodegeneration
  • Ribosomes and Alternative Splicing

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Kif

Dr Marcin Przewloka

Lecturer in Molecular Cell Biology

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Marcin

Dr Neil Smyth

Reader
Connect with Neil

Dr Nicole Prior

Lecturer

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Nicole
I am a T cell immunologist. I am interested in how early innate immune responses - particularly neutrophil infiltration and antimicrobial peptide production - affect T cell differentiation and function.
Assoc Professor in Biomedical Sciences