Elizabeth Seward

Dr. Elizabeth Seward is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, UK. She holds expertise in neuroscience, immunology, and cell signaling, focusing on secretion mechanisms in neurological and inflammatory diseases. Her career includes academic roles at the University of Leicester and University of Bristol, alongside postdoctoral research across institutions in the UK, Switzerland, and the US.

Education:

• PhD in Pharmacology, University of Cambridge (1986-1990)
• MPhil in Pharmacology, University of Cambridge (1985)
• BSc (First Class Honours) in Biochemistry, McGill University (1981-1984)

Research Interests:

Her lab investigates signaling pathways controlling secretion from neurons and mast cells, emphasizing calcium channels (e.g., P2X, TRPC, Orai) and GPCRs. Key projects include ATP-sensitive P2X receptors in asthma pathogenesis, Munc13’s role in GPCR-regulated secretion, and synaptotagmin’s modulation of calcium sensitivity. Techniques employed include patch-clamp electrophysiology, amperometry, and fluorescence microscopy.

Grants and Collaborations:

Awarded grants from the Wellcome Trust, HEFCE, GSK, AstraZeneca (AZ), and BBSRC. Collaborators include Dr. Walter Marcotti, Dr. Peter Peachell, and Prof. G. Battaglia.

Teaching:

Coordinates undergraduate and postgraduate modules in membrane receptors, pharmacology, and physiology, including BMS109, BMS242, and MSc-level courses.

Labs/Teams:

Affiliated with the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Sheffield, focusing on neuroimmunological interfaces and exocytosis modulation in disease.