Dr Stephen Brown

School of Biosciences

RNAi Screening Facility Manager

SRSF Manager

stephen.brown@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 3690

Full contact details

Dr Stephen Brown
School of Biosciences
B2 223
Alfred Denny Building
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile
  • 2008 - present: University of Sheffield (School of Biosciences), Sheffield RNAi Screening Facility Manager (SRSF)
  • 2004 - 2008:  University of Manchester (Faculty of Life Sciences), MRC Career Development Fellowship
  • 2004: University of Cambridge (Pathology), Post-Doctoral research
  • 1997 - 2003: University of Cambridge (Zoology), Post-Doctoral research
  • 1997: University of Nottingham, PhD 
Research interests

Functional genomics, siRNA genome screens, drug screening, cell models of Human disease.

Functional Genomics and RNAi Screening

  • Many diseases have an unknown or poorly defined molecular diagnosis. There is a need to identify the molecular nature of these orphan diseases and the changes these mutations cause to cells and tissues.
  • The Sheffield RNAi Screening Facility uses robotics and automated systems to leverage RNAi/small molecules and genome editing tools to identify novel biological and disease candidates.
  • I use Drosophila and Human cell models of disease. In particular, I use normal, cancer and Human embryonic stem cells. Recently we have been growing 3D tumour spheroids for screening.
  • I collaborate with Dr. Xiubo Zhao using self-assembling nano-peptides, Dr. Ivana Barbaric and Dr. Paul Gokhale investigating miR regulation of Human embryonic stem cells and Dr. Martin Zeidler identifying new members of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway.

I have managed over 50 RNAi library screens for both UK and international scientists. My laboratory uses both automation (robotics) and molecular cell biology to identify genes involved in disease. I am also involved in teaching Masters and PhD students in the art of “Functional Genomics”.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

There has been a problem showing favourites. Please try again later.

All publications

There has been a problem showing this information. Please try again later.

Grants
  • Fabrication of antibody functionalized silk fibroin micro-well arrays using reactive inkjet printing for circulating tumour cell capture. Dr. X. Zhao (Chem Eng) and Dr. S. Brown
  • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Nov 2016 - Oct 2019 (£333,657)
Teaching activities

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught modules

Undergraduate:

  • BMS109 1st year Tutor
  • BMS110 Research Topics in Biomedicine
  • BMS356 Biomedical Technology & Drug Discovery
  • Level 3 Practical and Dissertation Modules

Masters (MSc):

  • BMS6011 The Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industry
  • BMS6012 3D Tissue Culture and Genome Editing
  • BMS6013 Small Molecule and Functional Genomic Screening
  • BMS6014 Genomic Approaches to Drug Discovery
  • MSc Genomic Approaches to Drug Discovery (module leader)
Professional activities and memberships
  • Founding member and co-organiser of the UK RNAi and Functional Genomics Group (London, 2011-)
  • Founding member and co-organiser of the Stem Cell Phenotyping Consortium (2014-)
  • EMBO Practical Course Tutor; High-throughput RNAi and Data Analysis (2010)
  • SRSF Symposium co-organiser (Sheffield, 2010)
  • Guest Editor of Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology (2008) 
  • MRC Career Development Fellowship Award 2004-2008
Opportunities

Postgraduate studentship opportunities

We advertise PhD opportunities (Funded or Self-Funded) on FindAPhD.com

For further information and details of other projects on offer, please see the department PhD Opportunities page.