Barbara Jennings

Dr Barbara Jennings is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at Oxford Brookes University, serving as Subject Co-ordinator for the BSc Biomedical Science programme and Module Leader for Professional and Experimental Skills as well as Biochemistry of Cell Function.

Education & Training
While explicit degree details are not supplied on the page, Dr Jennings demonstrates extensive expertise in molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry through her long-standing research career.

Research Interests
Her laboratory investigates the mechanisms that transcription factors employ to regulate gene expression during animal development. Using Drosophila as a powerful model, the group combines classical genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and immunohistochemistry to dissect how transcriptional co-repressors such as Groucho/TLE sculpt cell-type-specific gene profiles. A particular focus is the interplay between chromatin state, transcriptional elongation checkpoints and cell-cycle control, with implications for both developmental patterning and tumourigenesis.

Recent publications reveal a sustained emphasis on the Groucho/TLE family, the elongation factor Spt5, and tumour-suppressor Merlin/NF2, highlighting how disruption of early transcriptional pausing can lead to developmental defects and oncogenesis.

Professional Memberships & Service

• Academic Editor, PLOS ONE
• Member, British Society of Developmental Biology
• Member, British Society of Cell Biology
• Member, The Genetics Society

Advising & Mentorship
Dr Jennings currently supervises doctoral research students; one recently completed DPhil project examined the functional role of NFXL1 in brain development and speech-language pathways. She welcomes enquiries from prospective postgraduate researchers interested in transcriptional regulation and developmental genetics.

Laboratory & Collaborations
The Jennings Lab operates within the School of Biological and Medical Sciences at Oxford Brookes, fostering collaborations that span fly genetics, biochemistry and translational cancer biology.