Lab members

Andrew Peden

I undertook my undergraduate degree at the University of Edinburgh in the Department of Biochemistry.  I discovered my love of intracellular trafficking when I performed my summer project in the lab of James Pryde. I did my PhD with Scottie Robinson at the University of Cambridge where I worked on the cloning and characterisation of the AP-3 adaptor complex. I was really keen to understand how SNARE proteins are packaged into transport vesicles so I went to Richard Scheller's lab at Stanford University funded by a Wellcome Trust fellowship. My time in Richard's lab was very interesting as I got the chance to move to Genentech when he took up the role as head of Research. The opportunity to work in industry really increased my interest in the application of basic science to solve real life problems

Sam Lewin

I studied at Sheffield for my undergraduate years, and in my fourth year I focused on extracellular vesicles and their interactions with the extracellular matrix. I am now a PhD student in Andrew’s lab, and am investigating how extracellular signalling regulation of constitutive secretion in CHO cells. Answering this question excites me in part due to its relevance in increasing recombinant protein yield in CHO cells, which are the primary means through which biological therapeutics are manufactured. Outside of the lab, I enjoy oil painting and I also have a keen interest in tropical fish-keeping. 

I completed my MSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Sheffield. While studying for my degree, I discovered that I had a strong interest in the process of B cell antibody secretion in immunology. My project is investigating the molecular mechanisms of antibody secretion in plasma cells. I have just completed my first year of confirmation review and have learned a lot of immunology-related techniques during this year. I am very happy to carry out my research in the Peden experimental group. Outside of experimentation, I love film appreciation and music, and am currently studying photography.

Polly Rouse

Prior to starting my PhD, I completed a BSc in Biomedical Science at Oxford Brookes University and an MSc in Neuroscience at King’s College London. My MSc research project was carried out in the Endocrine Signalling Group at the Royal Veterinary College where I investigated the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on neuroendocrine tumour development, inspiring me to continue neuroscience research. I then discovered the pharmaceutical company Ipsen, where I became a graduate intern working in R&D. It was there that I truly discovered the world of botulinum toxins and their therapeutic potential. My project (in collaboration with Ipsen) is focused on elucidating the cellular targets of BoNT/X, a novel neurotoxin. BoNT/X targets different SNAREs than any other known BoNT, therefore this project provides an exciting opportunity to study both the toxin and the functions of the different SNAREs in cellular trafficking. 

I studied at Newcastle University during both my undergraduate degree, in biomedical science, and my Masters of research in cancer. Currently, I am completing the first year of my mechanistic biology PhD in Andrew’s lab and my project (in conjunction with Ipsen) focuses on elucidating the biological function of a novel botulinum toxin, BoNT/X. This toxin cleaves a multitude of SNARE proteins involved in various secretory pathways. Utilising BoNT/X I also aim to uncover which specific SNARE proteins are implicated in constitutive and unconventional protein secretion. The drastic change in subject area from my masters to my PhD may seem surprising but the chance to work with BoNT/X and investigate the underlying biological mechanisms of this potential future novel therapeutic, really excites me.