Dr Andrew Knight
Lecturer

  • Email: andrew.knight@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 7062
  • Fax: +44 (0) 191 222 8988
  • Address: Institute of Cellular Medicine
    3rd Floor, William Leech Building
    Framlington Place
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE2 4HH

Qualifications

Professional Certificate in University Teaching (Stages 1/2). University of Edinburgh.  2003

Ph.D. (Immunogenetics); MRC Clinical Research Centre, Harrow. Middx. 1993
Grad. I. Biol. (Biochemistry); North East Surrey College of Technology, Ewell. Surrey. 1987

Previous Positions

2003-2005
Wellcome Trust Teaching Fellow.
Institute for Immunology and Infection Research (IIIR), School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh

1999-2003
Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow
Institute for Immunology and Infection Research (IIIR), School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh

1994–1999
Senior Post-Doctoral Research Assistant, Department of Biochemistry, Medical Sciences Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee

1988-1993
Scientific Officer (part-time Ph.D. student) Transplantation Biology Section, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex

1986
Junior Research Technician, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey

Memberships

British Society For Immunology (BSI)
Secretary for Immunology North East (BSI Regional group)

Research Interests

For the initiation of the CD4+ T cell response, native protein antigens (Ag.) must be captured, intra-cellularly processed, complexed with molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II region and re-expressed on the cell surface of antigen presenting cells (APC).

The use of specific Ag. receptors expressed on the surface of APC has been shown to enhance this process by several orders of magnitude. As well as producing antibodies, B cells function as APC and express several surface Ag. receptors.

My interest lies in these specialized antigen receptors and is aimed primarily at understanding the role of B cells as APC in mediating immunity to invading pathogens. I am also interested in situations where B cell APC function has apparently become de-regulated leading to the development of autoimmunity (in collaboration with Jeremy Palmer and John Robinson (Musculoskeletal Research group)as well as a possible role for B cells in tumour surveillance (in collaboration with John Kirby).

Postgraduate Supervision

Current Ph.D. studentships

1. Arthritis Research UK-funded PhD studentship: "The role of B cells as antigen presenting cells in a model of Rheumatoid Arthritis." 2009-12.

2. Faculty of Medicine/Institute of Cellular Medicine-funded PhD studentship: "Biliary autoantigen acquisition and presentation by B lymphocytes." 2010-13.

Previous Ph.D Studentships:

1. Arthritis Research Campaign -funded Ph.D. Studentship "The Role of B Lymphocytes in Processing and Presentation of the Candidate Joint Autoantigen, Aggrecan in a Model of Rheumatiod Arthritis." 2006-2009. The University of Newcastle upon Tyne

2. Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) Breast Clinic Appeal-funded Ph.D. Studentship.
"Understanding the mechanisms involved in the immuno-recognition of breast cancer cells" 2006-2009. The University of Newcastle upon Tyne

3. BBSRC Case Studentship. "The Novel C3d Co-presentation Approach to Developing a Vaccine Targeting PfEMP-1." 2001-2004. The University of Edinburgh/Adprotech Ltd. ; Co-supervisor

4. Wellcome Trust 4-Year Ph.D. Programme. "Presentation of native antigen to B cells." 2000-2004. The University of Edinburgh; Main supervisor

5. Self-funded Studentship. “Host and Parasite Genes Involved in Immunity to Plasmodium chabaudi.” 2000-2003. The University of Edinburgh; Co-supervisor.

Keywords

B cells, antigen processing and presentation, complement receptors, autoimmunity, cancer immunology.

Undergraduate Teaching

Phase I/II MBBS Personal Tutor
MBBS facilitator for "Immunology and Medicine" Theme.

Stage 2 BDS Immunology and Healthcare 

Postgraduate Teaching

MRes in Medical and Molecular Biosciences, Applied Immunobiology and Current Trends in Musculoskeletal Research Modules; lectures include:


Antigen recognition (Innate versus acquired)
Antigen processing and presentation 
B cell activation

Acquired immune mechanisms in inflammatory arthritis