Epithelial Research Group
Research Achievements
The Newcastle Epithelial Research Group is recognised internationally as one of the best epithelial groups world-wide. Our mission is to understand epithelial transport processes at the cellular and molecular level and how their function and dysfunction relates to the whole organism in vivo. Over the past ten years we have assembled a group of active researchers who can deploy a variety of methodologies ranging from sophisticated electrophysiological techniques through to whole animal physiology. Current active research funding includes support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Food Standard Agency, Royal Society, Cancer Research UK, Kidney Research UK, Northern Counties Kidney Research Fund, Hypertension Trust, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Sanoffi-Aventis and Syngenta. Since the 2001 RAE we have published in journals such as Nature Genetics, Gastroenterology, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Lancet, Journal of Physiology, and British Journal of Pharmacology.
Research Strategy
Our overall goal for the next decade is to be at the forefront of translational research bridging between genomic/proteomic data to functional characterisation/applied research in nutrition, disease states (cystic fibrosis, renal cyst disease, inflammatory bowel disease, neuroblastoma), microbial-epithelial interactions, and pharmacokinetics. Research falls into three main areas:
- Nutrient, micronutrient and drug transport
- Electrolyte movement and control of epithelial microenvironment
- Epithelial defence
We have maintained a broad range of technical expertise in Newcastle to allow key questions posed by high throughput technologies in genomics and proteomics to be addressed with respect to organ and whole animal physiology and human studies. With the emergence of polymorphic variation in transport kinetics as a major determinant of individual response to chemotherapy an immediate goal is to capitalise on Pharma led identification of molecular targets in oral absorption and renal excretion. Individual group goals include dietary regulation of health and drug absorption, role of SNPs in altered pharmacokinetics, proof-of-concept testing for CF treatment, identification of antimicrobials and role in health and disease. We maintain active links (evidenced by joint grants/publications) with clinical centres in Newcastle, international collaborations in North America (Augusta, Chapel Hill, Dallas, Baltimore, Toronto), Europe (Zürich, Antwerp, Munich, Göttingen, Copenhagen, Poitier, Bari, Szeged), UK (Imperial, Mill Hill, Manchester, Dundee, Belfast, East Anglia), and major Pharma (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Sanoffi-Aventis, Syngenta).
The Epithelial Research Group is part of the Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences. Lists of recent publications can be found on the individual staff members web pages within the Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences and the Epithelial Research Group website.
Staff List
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Professor Barry Argent
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Dr Colin Brown
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Professor Dianne Ford
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Dr Michael Gray
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Dr Judith Hall
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Professor Barry Hirst
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Professor Jeffrey Pearson
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Dr John Sayer
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Professor Nicholas Simmons
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Professor David Thwaites
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Dr Ruth Valentine
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Dr Christopher Ward
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Dr Andreas Werner
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