Newcastle University

Introduction

I am a mathematical biologist (post-doctoral research scientist) working in the Lydall lab in the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biosciences (ICaMB) at Newcastle University.

I am particularly interested in computational and mathematical models of biological systems and the assessment and development of such models (usually dynamic, mechanistic simulation models).  Currently, I am developing high-throughput, robotic, growth assays for carrying out genome-wide screens in the model organism S. cerevisiae (budding yeast).  The Lydall lab uses these techniques to further understand how the telomere cap works, which may improve our understanding of replicative senescence (relevant for ageing) and cancer.  Much of my previous work has involved studying replicative senescence and ageing in human cell cultures and I enjoy drawing parallels between the two model systems.

My university website contains other things I am interested in.

Research Interests

Mathematical modelling, numerical simulation, stocastic simulation, SBML models, systems biology, optimisation, parameter estimation, quantitative growth assays, automated microscopy, robot-assisted science.

High-quality screening

Currently I am working on genome-wide screens in S. cerevisiae to understand the function of the telomere cap.  I have developed an image analysis tool: Colonyzer and complementary Quantitative Fitness Analysis (QFA) workflows to infer growth rates and genetic interaction strengths from robot-assisted timelapse photography of thousands of independent microorganism cultures growing in parallel on solid agar plates.  I am also a member of the team running the High-throughput Screening service at Newcastle. 

Other Expertise

Python programming, R programming, C++ programming, Mathematica programming

Projects

• Development and application of high-throughput approaches for yeast genetics
  Project Leader(s): David Lydall
• Mechanisms of dietary restriction in mice – mitochondrial function
  Project Leader(s): Thomas von Zglinicki
• The Biology of Ageing e-Science Integration and Simulation system (BASIS)
  Project Leader(s): Darren Wilkinson
• The role of subcellular telomerase shuttling for treatment outcome of cancer cells
  Project Leader(s): Gabriele Saretzki

Introduction to Python for Scientists

Each year I run a half day workshop introducing Python programming to biology research scientists in the medical school.  The notes are available online.

• Nelson G, Wordsworth J, Wang CF, Jurk D, Lawless C, Martin-Ruiz C, von Zglinicki T. A senescent cell bystander effect: senescence-induced senescence. Aging Cell 2012, 11(2), 345-349.
• Lawless C, Jurk D, Gillespie CS, Shanley D, Saretzki G, von Zglinicki T, Passos JF. A Stochastic Step Model of Replicative Senescence Explains ROS Production Rate in Ageing Cell Populations. PLoS One 2012, 7(2), e32117.
• Chang H, Lawless C, Addinall SG, Oexle S, Taschuk M, Wipat A, Wilkinson DJ, Lydall D. Genome-Wide Analysis to Identify Pathways Affecting Telomere-Initiated Senescence in Budding Yeast. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics 2011, 1(3), 197-208.
• Addinall SG, Holstein EM, Lawless C, Yu M, Chapman K, Banks AP, Ngo HP, Maringele L, Taschuk M, Young A, Ciesiolka A, Lister AL, Wipat A, Wilkinson DJ, Lydall D. Quantitative Fitness Analysis Shows That NMD Proteins and Many Other Protein Complexes Suppress or Enhance Distinct Telomere Cap Defects. PLoS Genetics 2011, 7(4), e1001362.
• Chen YH, Lawless C, Gillespie CS, Wu J, Boys RJ, Wilkinson DJ. CaliBayes and BASIS: integrated tools for the calibration, simulation and storage of biological simulation models. Briefings in Bioinformatics 2010, 11(3), 278-289.
• Lawless C, Wilkinson DJ, Young A, Addinall SG, Lydall DA. Colonyzer: automated quantification of micro-organism growth characteristics on solid agar. BMC Bioinformatics 2010, 11(1), 287.
• Miwa S, Lawless C, von Zglinicki T. Correction of radiolabel pulse-chase data by a mathematical model: application to mitochondrial turnover studies. Biochemical Society Transactions 2010, 38, 1322-1328.
• Lawless C, Wang CF, Jurk D, Merz A, von Zglinicki T, Passos JF. Quantitative assessment of markers for cell senescence. Experimental Gerontology 2010, 45(10), 772-778.
• Henderson DA, Boys RJ, Krishnan KJ, Lawless C, Wilkinson DJ. Bayesian emulation and calibration of a stochastic computer model of mitochondrial DNA deletions in substantia nigra neurons. Journal of the American Statistical Association 2009, 104(485), 76-87.
• Miwa S, Lawless C, von Zglinicki T. Mitochondrial turnover in liver is fast in vivo and is accelerated by dietary restriction: application of a simple dynamic model. Aging Cell 2008, 7(6), 920-923.
• Lawless C, Semenov MA, Jamieson PD. Quantifying the effect of uncertainty in soil moisture characteristics on plant growth using a crop simulation model. Field Crops Research 2008, 106(2), 138-147.
• Lawless C, Semenov MA, Jamieson PD. A wheat canopy model linking leaf area and phenology. European Journal of Agronomy 2005, 22(1), 19-32.
• Lawless C, Semenov MA. Assessing lead-time for predicting wheat growth using a crop simulation model. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 2005, 135(1-4), 302-313.