Welcome to the Emmott Lab!
What we do: RNA virology & proteomics!
The Emmott Lab uses and develops proteomic methods such as single-cell proteomics to study viruses and how they replicate and interact with their hosts. In particular, we are interested in RNA viruses important for human and animal health such as Norovirus and SARS-CoV-2. The lab does what is known as ‘basic science’: early-stage investigations which lay the groundwork for more applied or clinical studies. We also apply proteomics to other areas of biology, and have long-standing clinical proteomics projects to study cystic fibrosis.
Why we do it?
By learning the fundamentals of how these viruses replicate and interact with the cells they infect, we can learn how to treat or diagnose infections, design better vaccines or antiviral drugs, or even convert viruses from pathogens into useful gene therapy or anticancer tools. The methods we develop can also be applied more broadly to problems in biology or in the clinic.
How we do it?
The lab makes extensive use of and develops mass spectrometry-based proteomic methods in its work, including single-cell proteomics and N-terminomics. These methods are used alongside virology, molecular biology, microscopy, and integrative ‘omics approaches to answer questions on how RNA viruses replicate and interact with the host cell.
Research themes:
Research in the lab falls under three main themes:
Where to find us:
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Centre for Proteome Research, University of Liverpool |
Liverpool, UK |
| The Emmott Lab is part of the Centre for Proteome Research (CPR) at the University of Liverpool alongside the Eyers, Scheltema and Chetwynd labs, which all employ and develop mass spectrometry-based methods to answer biological questions. The CPR’s remit is the ‘advancement of technological capabilities for proteomics analysis across the biological and biomedical sciences’. All four groups are also part of the Department of Biochemistry, Cell & Systems Biology, within the Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology.
Alongside research, the CPR has a role as one of the University of Liverpool’s Shared Research Facilities (SRF). The SRF provides a proteomics service and collaborative access to academic and industry users wishing to apply mass spectrometry to their own research. For more details on the SRF, please see here. |
Liverpool is a historic port city in the North-West of England, with around 490,000 people, and roughly 2.2 million across the wider city region. It has one of the richest cultural offerings of any UK city outside London, including more national museums and galleries than anywhere outside the capital, UNESCO City of Music status, and a steady calendar of major cultural and sporting events. Internationally, it’s best known for its music, its football (Liverpool F.C. and Everton), and its waterfront architecture. Liverpool also offers researchers an excellent quality of life. The cost of living is far lower than in London and the South-East, the campus within walking distance of the city centre, and there are good transport links by rail and road to Manchester, Birmingham and London, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport adding domestic and international flights, and Manchester Airport only slightly further afield. |
Funding:
The Emmott lab is very grateful to its funders for their support. Research in the Emmott lab is currently supported by a Wellcome Career Development Award [227831/Z/23/Z], and by the MRC including [MR/X000885/1], BBSRC, IAA funding, and two CF-Trust/LifeArc Innovation hubs (CF-TRAILFINDER and PULSE-CF).
We also receive industry support for our work from Pro-lab Diagnostics & Cellenion.
Previously the lab has received support from the Royal Society, UK-ICN (UK-International Coronavirus Network), the Houghton Trust, Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard Award, and University of Liverpool Wellcome ISSF funds.
