Newcastle University

Introduction

Dr Caldwell is the University Lecturer in Applied Marine Biology. He is theme leader for 'Ocean and Coastal Resources' within marineNewcastle and is stage 1 coordinator for Marine Science degree programmes.

Roles and Responsibilities

Marine Science B.Sc. Stage 1 coordinator.

SAgE Faculty Enterprise and Exploitation Committee

Strategic Energy Research Committee for Cockle Park 

Qualifications

B.Sc.(Hons 1st Class) Uni. Wales, Bangor.
Ph.D. Newcastle University

Previous Positions

2005-6. Marine Biology Teaching Fellow, Newcastle University

2004. NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (University of Calgary and Environment Canada).

2003-4. Research Associate, Newcastle University, Soil Association Scotland.

1999. Coordinator of a zooplankton community survey with Sherkin Island Marine Station, Co Cork, EIRE.

Memberships

British Phycological Society

International Society of Invertebrate Reproduction and Development

International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae

Challenger Society for Marine Science

International Society for Applied Phycology

Honours and Awards

2004. Runner-Up for the prestigious Westminster Medal for Britain's Younger Scientists, Engineers and Technologists (SET for Britain) in UK Science Week 2004. Awarded to younger scientists working at the cutting-edge of UK science.

2002. School of Marine Science and Coastal Management, Postgraduate Conference award.

1996. Ulster Television Young Environmentalist of the Year. Awarded for research project on water quality assessment and pollution management in the River Lagan catchment basin.

1995. Awarded a Nuffield Science Bursary with the Aquatic Systems Group, Queens University Belfast, to investigate the role of cyanobacterial blooms in the ecology of Lake Baikal, Siberia.

Research Interests

His research interests and activites are broad in nature. The main research themes are described below.

ALGAE BIOFUELS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
He is active in the continued development of algae (both micro- and macroalgae) as potential sources of marine biofuels and bioactive products. He leads a dynamic research group adressing a diverse range of marine bioenergy and biotechnology topics. Currently there are programmes funded by research councils, industry and local and national government. In addition, we have recently completed a new large scale culture facility within the Ridley Building to further our research in this area. He has active programmes in seaweed anaerobic digestion; microalgae culture management for biodiesel production; microalgae bioflocculation and harvesting; and energy production from marine biomass wastes. He also works in partnership with the Seaweed Health Foundation to further develop the role of seaweed as a healthy foodstuff in Western diets.

CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
Interests relate to plant-plant and plant-animal interactions which are mainly modulated by chemically driven processes, principally through the production of toxic metabolites or the production of non-toxic but otherwise biologically active compounds. He is especially interested in the role of algal-derived compounds in driving aquatic food webs and their potential development for biotechnological and pharmaceutical exploitation. Recent work has concentrated on the functioning of bioactive diatom-derived polyunsaturated aldehydes in regulating the reproductive success of invertebrates. He is interested in both the factors and processes contributing to the formation and release of algal-derived bioactive molecules and the physiological and molecular responses of the target animals in respect of toxic endpoints and detoxification/cellular repair mechanisms.

ECOTOXICOLOGY
He is interested in the reproductive response of animals following exposure to xenobiotics. To this end, we operate a state of the art computer assisted sperm tracking system (CASA) for use in determining toxicity to male fertility. This system can analyse sperm motility, concentration, and morphology and DNA damage. We welcome enquiries concerning use of this system from outside agencies and research institutes.

GLYCOBIOLOGY
He has interests in the role of glycoconjugates in signalling reactions in aquatic systems. Particular mechanisms include larval settlement and metamorphosis, fertilisation and mate recognition.

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
He is involved with an active and growing group within MAST researching the potential impacts of ocean acidification scenarios on invertebrate reproduction and development. We operate laboratory micro- and mesocosm facilities managed using pH computers to accurately control pCO2 conditions.

Postgraduate Supervision

Thea Coward - Bioflocculation processes in the development of algal biofuels. EPSRC PhD studentship co-supervised with Dr Jon Lee of the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials.

Hilary Redden - Bioenergy from seaweeds. EPSRC PhD studentship co-supervised with Dr Jon Lee of the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials and Dr Paul Sallis of the School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences.

Susan Fitzer - Sensitivity and predicted population level effects of CO₂-induced ocean acidification in the benthic harpacticoid copepod, Tisbe holothuriae. NERC PhD studentship co-supervised with Prof. Matt Bentley, Prof. Tony Clare, Prof. Rob Ustill-Goddard and Dr John Bishop of Plymouth University and the MBA.

Helen Pagett - Characterising glycans involved in barnacle gregariousness. NERC PhD studentship co-supervised with Prof. Tony Clare, Prof. Pauline Rudd of University College Dublin and Prof. Neil Cameron of University of Durham.

Abdulbaset Abuissa - Assessment of combined effects of ocean acidification and metal toxicity on selected marine invertebrates. Studentship co-supervised with Prof. Matt Bentley.

Helen Graham - Determining the impacts of ocean acidification on reproductive and developmental fitness of marine invertebrates. NERC PhD studentship co-supervised with Prof. Tony Clare and Prof. Matt Bentley.

Rebecca Herdman - Silicone fouling-release coatings: Physical effects on the adhesion of marine fouling invertebrates with particular emphasis on membranous–based barnacles. Industry funded PhD studentship (International Paint) co-supervised with Prof. Tony Clare.

Supanut Pairohakul - Lipid biosynthesis in marine polychaetes. Studentship co-supervised with Prof. Peter Olive and Prof. Matt Bentley.

Norlaila Mohd Zanuri - Effects of environmental insults on invertebrate sperm. Studentship co-supervised with Prof. Matt Bentley.

Alanoud Rawdhan - Ultrastructural studies of micro-algae in infochemical manipulated mass culture. Studentship co-supervised with Dr Gordon Beakes and Dr Rebecca Taylor.

Chelsea Brain - Optimisation of photobioreactor design for microalgae biomass production. Studentship co-supervised with Prof. Gary Montague, Dr Gavin Clark and Prof. Grant Burgess with industrial input from David Van Alstyne of Scottish Bioenergy. 

Alessandra Gallina - The role of polyunsaturated aldehydes in the life and biology of the marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi in culture and in situ. An Open University international studentship co-supervised with Dr Rafaella Casotti of the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples.

Recently completed Ph.D. programmes under my supervision include Dr Rebecca Taylor [The role of diatom aldehydes in the benthos: grazing defence or diatom signal molecule]; Dr Hannah Dunston [Impacts of algal biotoxins on the freshwater survival of Atlantic salmon].

Esteem Indicators

marineNewcastle theme leader (Ocean and Coastal Resources).

Associate Editor for Invertebrate Reproduction and Development.

External examiner for MSc Applied Aquatic Biology, University of Portsmouth.

Funding

Funding sources include:
Carbon Trust (Algae Biofuels Challenge)
Scottish Energy/ITI Energy (Opportunities in Seaweed Anaerobic Digestion)
Other funding sources remain confidential.

Industrial Relevance

The majority of my work is industry orientated, particularly in the area of marine bioenergy and biotechnology.

Projects

• DYNAPLAN: The impact of biochemicals and infochemicals on trophic dynamics and nutrient cycling in planktonic food webs
  Project Leader(s): Dr G S Caldwell
• Invertebrate Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis for Aquaculture and Environmental Monitoring
  Project Leader(s): Dr G S Caldwell

Undergraduate Teaching

MST1004 Introduction to Marine Environmental Technologies(module leader)
MST1010 Marine Microbiology and Primary Producers (module leader)
MST1011 Marine Zooplankton
MST1012 Research Skills
MST2011 Marine Practical Skills
MST2012 Life in Extreme Environments
MST3011 Advanced Marine Biology (Marine Poisons, Venoms and Toxins)
MST3020 Marine Chemical Ecology
MST3022 Marine Biotechnology
MST3099 Research Project: Marine Biology

Recent B.Sc. (Hons) projects supervised have included:

2011/2012

• Heterotrophic growth and lipid production in selected microalgae species.
• Optimising culture conditions for carbohydrate yields from microalgae.
• Incorporation of microalgae into functional microbial fuel cells.
• Bioaccumulation of flame retardants in the marine food web. 

2010/11

• Metabolic exudates from Skeletonema marinoi induce bio-flocculation in marine microalgae.
• The kinetics of nitric oxide generation throughout the culture cycle of the marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi.
• Exploration of the swimming techniques based on physiology and hydrodynamics of a juvenile white beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) using mimic tail design and testing.
• The fatty acid profile of Capitella sp. for use in commercial recirculating aquaculture systems.
•  Analysis of the amino acid composition in Capitella sp. using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography.

2009/2010

• Optimising nutrient levels and harvesting frequency during the culture of Nanochloropsis oculata for biofuel production.
• Anaerobic digestion of Laminaria digitata and co-digestion with glycerol.   
• Effects of diatom-derived polyunsaturated aldehydes on the motility of Nereis virens sperm. 
• Activation of vesicular sperm from three species of barnacle through the elevation of seawater pH. 

• Pagett HE, Abrahams JL, Bones J, O'Donoghue N, Marles-Wright J, Lewis RJ, Harris JR, Caldwell GS, Rudd PM, Clare AS. Structural characterisation of the N-glycan moiety of the barnacle settlement-inducing protein complex (SIPC). Journal of Experimental Biology 2011. In Press.
• Taylor RL, Rand JD, Caldwell GS. Treatment with algae infochemicals promotes flocculation, and enhances growth and neutral lipid content in Nannochloropsis oculata - a candidate for biofuel production. 2011. Submitted.
• Caldwell GS, Hinks J, Redden HL, Disley SJM, Lee JGM, Sallis PJ. Anaerobic digestion of seaweed: potential and constraints. 2011. Submitted.
• Fitzer S, Caldwell GS, Close AJ, Clare AS, Upstill-Goddard RC, Bentley MG. Ocean acidification induces multi-generational decline in copepod naupliar production with possible conflict between somatic and reproductive resource allocation. 2011. Submitted.
• Fitzer SC, Bishop JDD, Caldwell GS, Clare AS, Upstill-Goddard RC, Bentley MG. Visualisation of the copepod female reproductive system using confocal scanning microscopy and two-photon microscopy: an application to investigate the impact of ocean acidification. 2011. Submitted.
• Taylor RL, Caldwell GS, Olive PJW, Bentley MG. The harpacticoid copepod Tisbe holothuriae is resistant to the insidious effects of polyunsaturated aldehyde-producing diatoms. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2012, 413, 30-37.
• Wright S, Caldwell GS, Clare AS. Sperm activation in acorn barnacles by elevation of seawater pH. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development 2011, (epub ahead of print).
• Caldwell GS, Fitzer S, Gillespie CS, Pickavance G, Turnbull E, Bentley MG. Ocean acidification takes sperm back in time. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development 2011, 55(4), 217-221.
• Ianora A, Bentley MG, Caldwell GS, Casotti R, Cembella AD, Engstrom-Ost J, Halsband C, Sonnenschein E, Legrande C, Llewellyn CA, Paldaviciene A, Pilkaityte R, Pohnert G, Razinkovas A, Romana G, Tilman U, Vaiciute R. The relevance of marine chemical ecology to plankton and ecosystem function: an emerging field. Marine Drugs 2011, 9(9), 1625-1648.
• Caldwell GS, Lewis C, Pickavance G, Taylor RL, Bentley MG. Exposure to copper and a cytotoxic polyunsaturated aldehyde induces reproductive failure in the marine polychaete Nereis virens (Sars). Aquatic Toxicology 2011, 104(1-2), 126-134.
• Simon CA, Bentley MG, Caldwell GS. 2,4-Decadienal: Exploring a novel approach for the control of polychaete pests on cultured abalone. Aquaculture 2010,310 1-2 52-60.
• Caldwell GS, Pagett HE. Marine Glycobiology: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Marine Biotechnology 2010. 233 SPRING ST, NEW YORK, NY 10013 USA: SPRINGER, 12(3), 241-252.
• Caldwell GS. The Influence of Bioactive Oxylipins from Marine Diatoms on Invertebrate Reproduction and Development. Marine Drugs 2009. KANDERERSTRASSE 25, CH-4057 BASEL, SWITZERLAND: MOLECULAR DIVERSITY PRESERVATION INTERNATIONAL-MDPI, 7(3), 367-400.
• Smith THE, Caldwell GS. Computational assessment of the fluid flow around coasting mature male blue sharks, Prionace glauca (L.). Journal of Marine Biology 2009, 2009, Article ID 861590.
• Watson SB, Caldwell G, Pohnert G. Fatty acids and oxylipins as semiochemicals. In: Arts, M.T., Brett, M.T., Kainz, M.J, ed. Lipids in Aquatic Ecosystems. Dordrecht: Springer, 2009, pp.65-92.
• Taylor RL, Caldwell GS, Dunstan HJ, Bentley MG. Short-term impacts of polyunsaturated aldehyde-producing diatoms on the harpacticoid copepod, Tisbe holothuriae. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2007, 341(1), 60-69.
• Taylor RL, Caldwell GS, Bentley MG. Toxicity of algal-derived aldehydes to two invertebrate species: Do heavy metal pollutants have a synergistic effect?. Aquatic Toxicology 2005, 74(1), 20-31.
• Caldwell GS, Lewis C, Olive PJW, Bentley MG. Exposure to 2,4-decadienal negatively impacts upon marine invertebrate larval fitness. Marine Environmental Research 2005,59 5 405-417.
• Paffenhofer GA, Ianora A, Miralto A, Turner JT, Kleppel GS, Ribera D'Alcala M, Casotti R, Caldwell GS, Pohnert G, Fontana A, Muller-Navarra D, Jonasdottir S, Armbrust V, Bamstedt U, Ban S, Bentley MG, Boersma M, Bundy M, Buttino I, Calbet A, Carlotti F, Carotenuto Y, D'Ippolito G, Frost B, Guisande C, Lampert W, Lee RF, Mazza S, Mazzocchi MG, Nejstgaard JC, Poulet SA, Romano G, Smetacek V, Uye S, Wakeham S, Watson S, Wichard T. Colloquium on diatom-copepod interactions. Marine Ecology Progress Series 2005,286 293-305.
• Caldwell GS, Watson SB, Bentley MG. How to assess toxin ingestion and post-ingestion partitioning in zooplankton?. Journal of Plankton Research 2004,26 12 1369-1377.
• Lewis C, Caldwell GS, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. Effects of a bioactive diatom-derived aldehyde on developmental stability in Nereis virens (Sars) larvae: An analysis using fluctuating asymmetry. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2004,304 1 1-16.
• Caldwell GS, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. First evidence of sperm motility inhibition by the diatom-derived aldehyde 2E,4E–decadienal. Marine Ecology Progress Series 2004, 273, 97-108.
• Caldwell GS, Bentley MG, Olive PJW. The use of a brine shrimp (Artemia salina) bioassay to assess the toxicity of diatom extracts and short chain aldehydes. Toxicon 2003, 42(3), 301-306.
• Caldwell GS, Olive PJW, Bentley MG. Inhibition of embryonic development and fertilization in broadcast spawning marine invertebrates by water soluble diatom extracts and the diatom toxin 2-trans,4-trans decadienal. Aquatic Toxicology 2002, 60(1-2), 123-137.