Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
centre for biomedical science research


Our aim is to carry out high-quality and rigorous research that results in significant new knowledge to each relevant discipline. In addition to fundamental and basic science, we carry out applied research, with the aim of contributing to finding solutions to some of the key issues currently facing humankind.
Expertise within the group covers a broad range of disciplines including:
- Molecular biology
- Cell biology
- Yeast genetics and fungal biology
- Biochemistry and biophysics
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Virology
- Microbiology and antimicrobials
- DNA repair
- Platelet biology
- Neurodegenerative diseases and cell signalling
-
Global collaboration and impact
Our principal investigators have well-established successful collaborations with excellent research groups based in Brazil, China, India, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the USA, in addition to many UK-based collaborations. In recent years members of the CBSR have published their work in leading scientific journals such as Cell, PNAS, Plant Cell, Nature Protocols, JACS, JBC, NAR PLOS Pathogens, PLOS Computational Biology, PLOS Genetics, Genome Research, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, amongst others.
our experts
-
Professor Gary Jones
Director of Research / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Duncan Sharp
Dean of School / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Carine De Marcos Lousa
Reader / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences
our experts
-
Professor Gary Jones
Director of Research / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Duncan Sharp
Dean of School / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Carine De Marcos Lousa
Reader / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Alex Liversidge
Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Andrew Paterson
Senior Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Donna Johnson
Course Director / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Ghazala Tabasam
Senior Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Ian Hurley
Senior Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr John George
Reader / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Margarita Gomez Escalada
Senior Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Nat Milton
Principal Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Osama Tashani
Senior Research Fellow / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Sareen Galbraith
Senior Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Steve Atkinson
Immunology -
Dr Steve Martin
Cell signalling -
Dr Sue Lang
Senior Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Tara Sabir
Senior Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Vincent Postis
Reader / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Dr Wayne Roberts
Course Director / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences -
Helen Battersby
Lecturer / School of Clinical & Applied Sciences
Research projects
Researcher: John George
The outer surface of gram-negative bacterial cells is made up of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The synthesis of this essential molecule has to be tightly controlled and modulated in response to changing environmental conditions. Importantly, the LPS layer is known to protect the bacterial cell from physical or chemical attack, including antibiotic treatment. This study uses computational network analysis alongside traditional biochemistry to probe the regulatory mechanisms which operate during the synthesis of the bacterial cell envelope. Our work produced new insights into the ways that bacteria are able to synchronise the key elements involved in envelope biogenesis. Additionally, this work has highlighted potential antibiotic targets which could help in the fight against the antimicrobial resistance crisis.

Researcher(s): Dr Wayne Roberts
Platelet blood cells become activated in patients with atherosclerosis, resulting in platelet-microparticle (PMP) formation. PMPs are small membrane structures containing a range of bioactive molecules. The critical event driving heart attacks in patients with atherosclerosis is rupture of atherosclerotic plaques, causing clot formation in major blood vessels. PMPs have been proposed to contribute towards plaque rupture through inducing angiogenesis (forming leaky blood vessels through the plaque) however the underlying mechanisms were unknown. In this article we demonstrated that PMPs deliver the micro-RNA (small non-coding RNAs that control gene expression) Let-7a to endothelial cells (the cell type lining blood vessels) inducing angiogenesis. Through a range of molecular biology techniques, we demonstrated that Let-7a switched off the ability of endothelial cells to produce the anti-angiogenic protein thrombospondin-1 (THBS-1), resulting in angiogenesis. This study describes a new molecular mechanism by which PMPs induce tubule formation, opening up potential therapeutic avenues for treating cardiovascular disease.
Researcher(s): Professor Gary Jones
Hsp70 is a protein found in all living organisms. It carries out a variety of essential functions in cells including helping other proteins to fold into their correct functional three-dimensional structures. When proteins do not fold correctly this can result in a variety of human diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Prion diseases and cancer. This Scientific Reports article utilises a well-characterised yeast model to investigate the regulation of Hsp70 through a process called post-translational modification. It identifies key residues, that are conserved in human Hsp70 proteins, that are modified in vivo and modify Hsp70 function. This work identified new residue in this protein that undergo acetylation and provide a proof-of-principle that Hsp70 function can be manipulated through targeting of proteins that directly modify Hsp70, rather than targeting this essential protein directly. This opens up new potential avenues for Hsp70-targeted therapeutics. The importance of this work was highlighted by Faculty 1000 Prime.
Researcher(s): Dr Andrew Paterson, Dr Nat Milton, Dr Margarita Gomez Escalada
Formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) have a long-established signalling role in the immune system. They are also known to be present in the central nervous system where their role(s) are not yet fully understood. In this article published in PLoS One three cell lines of neural origin were studied to determine the impact of small molecule FPR ligands on neuronal differentiation and morphology. Novel differentiated morphological forms of the cells were identified following treatment with FPRa14, and actions via FPRs were confirmed using both pharmacological and siRNA knockdown interventions. This discovery will allow development of novel methods to produce cellular models of neurodegenerative diseases. The development of treatments for a range of neurological conditions including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, neurological cancers and neuropathic pain, as well as the field of neural regeneration could all benefit from the use of small molecule ligands to target neuronal FPRs.
state-of-the-art facilities
Leeds Beckett University has invested close to £1m in new resources for biomedical science research. This includes a newly refurbished biomedical research laboratory, which is stocked with state-of-the-art biochemical and cell biology equipment.
Our facilities include: hi-tech AKTA protein purifier, Seahorse Metabolic Analyser, FACS, RT-PCR, microbial fermenter, Nanosight particle analyser, advanced plate-readers, amongst other available resources. Our biomedical laboratory facilities allow us to carry out advanced microbiology, biochemistry and cell biology research that can produce high-impact publications.
- Dr John George: 2016 publication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA: Significant discovery for antimicrobial resistance, showing crosstalk between two key pathways important for constructing the outer membrane of gram -ve bacteria.
- Dr Vincent Postis: 2016 publication in Nature Protocols: Significant advancement in the purification procedure of membrane proteins. These proteins are notoriously difficult to purify, this new method provides a way of purifying within a lipid environment using SMALPs.
- Dr Carine De Marcos Lousa: 2016 publication in Journal of Experimental Botany: Significant finding regarding first characterisation of non-SNARE proteins called phytolongins with respect to their sub-cellular localization and intracellular trafficking.
- Dr Wayne Roberts: 2018 publication in BBA - Molecular Basis of Disease: Significant finding regarding the mechanism underlying how platelet derived microparticles induce angiogenesis. Identified miRNA Let-7a as a key player.
- Dr Duncan Sharp and Dr Andrew Paterson: 2018 publication in Biosensors and Bioelectronics: Significant advancement in electrochemistry through the improved design of carbon printed electrodes in determining and accurately measuring pH in complex culture media.
- Professor Gary Jones: 2018 publication in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences: Significant advancement in our understanding of how the Hsp70 protein coordinates communication across its peptide-binding domain to facilitate structural and functional change.