Newcastle University

North East Fungal Forum (NEFF)

The participants of NEFF use fungi as model eukaryotic systems to understand various aspects of cell biology. 

Theme Leader

David Lydall

Major Research Themes

Members of NEFF use a range of fungal model systems including budding yeast, fission yeast, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans.  

Areas of specific interest include:

• RNA biology
• cell stress responses
• infection
• DNA damage responses
• metal biology
• chromosome biology.

Expertise

Standard molecular genetic and cell biological approaches are used.   The members also have expertise in high-throughput (robotic) approaches.

Key Collaborations

NEFF provides an opportunity for researchers across the faculty to come together along with the laboratory of Martin Schröder from Durham university.  Since NEFF was initiated a number of collaborative papers and grants have resulted from collaborations initiated or cemented through NEFF.

Developing Researchers

NEFF provides a platform for PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and senior researchers to present their data in a friendly and supportive environment. This is especially important for PhD students, for many of whom this is the first opportunity to communicate their research findings.  NEFF is also organised by students supervised by NEFF group leaders allowing students the opportunity to gain organisational skills and experience of chairing a scientific meeting. 

Impact and Engagement

NEFF meetings take place four times a year where seminars are given by a mixture of internal and external speakers from other leading universities.  These meetings provide a constructive environment for the exchange of ideas and the setting up of potential collaborations.

Related Websites

• NEFF Research site
  

Staff List