Anastasia Callaghan

Anastasia Callaghan is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the Faculty of Science & Health and the School of the Environment and Life Sciences. She is also associated with the Centre for Enzyme Innovation, the Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare, and the Future of Law, Innovation and Technology Research Centre. She is an active PhD supervisor and leads a research group focused on RNA biology and molecular biophysics.

Her research expertise lies in RNA biology, particularly post-transcriptional gene regulation, RNA degradation mechanisms involving ribonucleases like RNase E, and the role of RNA chaperones such as Hfq in bacterial virulence. She also investigates the communication between RNA degradation machinery and central metabolism, and develops novel technologies like RNA arrays for studying RNA interactions. Her work has significant implications for antibacterial drug discovery and biosensor development.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on RNA-based molecular tools, antibacterial targeting, and environmental biosensing. Trends include the development of RNA array technologies, investigation of RNase E and Hfq in pathogenic bacteria, and application of biosensors for public health surveillance, including wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2. Her work bridges fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational applications in health and environmental sustainability.

She has received research funding and support from prominent organizations including the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). She is a Principal Investigator (PI) on projects such as 'RNA Array Technology: Developing a High Throughput RNA Epigenetics Tool' and 'A wastewater biosensor enabling detailed COVID-19 population surveillance,' and a Co-Investigator on the Centre for Enzyme Innovation and the Preventing Plastic Pollution with Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub.

She leads a laboratory within the Molecular Biophysics Research Group at the University of Portsmouth, collaborating with researchers such as Andy Pickford and Darren Gowers. Her lab combines biophysical, biochemical, structural, and molecular techniques to study post-transcriptional gene regulation and develop innovative RNA technologies.