Professor Tanya Whitfield

School of Biosciences

Professor of Developmental Biology

Prof T Whitfield
Profile picture of Prof T Whitfield
t.whitfield@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 2350

Full contact details

Professor Tanya Whitfield
School of Biosciences
C21
Firth Court
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile
  • 2016-present: Professor of Developmental Biology, University of Sheffield.
  • 2013-2015: Reader in Developmental Biology, University of Sheffield.
  • 2004-2012: Senior Lecturer, University of Sheffield.
  • 1997-2004: Lecturer, University of Sheffield.
  • 1994-1997: Imperial Cancer Research Fund Postdoctoral Fellow and Linacre College Junior Research Fellow, Developmental Biology Unit, University of Oxford, and Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London. Research Advisor: Dr Julian Lewis.
  • 1994: EMBO Short Term Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany. Research Advisor: Professor Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard.
  • 1992-1994: Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Zoology and Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research Campaign Institute, University of Cambridge. Research Advisor: Professor Chris Wylie.
  • 1989-1992: Wellcome PhD student, Department of Zoology and Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research Campaign Institute, University of Cambridge. Research Advisor: Professor Chris Wylie.
  • 1986-1989: BA Natural Sciences (Zoology), University of Cambridge.
Research interests

The Whitfield lab research programme seeks to understand the development and function of vertebrate sensory systems, using the zebrafish as a model system. Our interests lie in tackling curiosity-driven basic science questions, addressing issues such as cell fate choice, pattern formation and the generation of shape and form in developing placodally-derived sensory organs (the inner ear, lateral line and olfactory system).

A major focus is patterning and morphogenesis of the developing inner ear, specifically the development of the semicircular canal ducts, which function to detect rotational movements (angular acceleration) of the head, and so contribute to our sense of balance. Significant recent findings include identification of key signalling pathways in the ear, and development of bespoke imaging tools.

A second, interlinked research theme is analysis of the Adgrg6 signalling pathway and drug discovery. Adgrg6 is a human disease gene, and the zebrafish protein has roles both in the inner ear and in peripheral myelination. We are using the zebrafish embryo as a screening platform to identify small molecules to manipulate the Adgrg6 pathway with high specificity and efficacy, including those that could be developed as therapeutic tools.

Other recent or ongoing projects include the study of otolith formation, otic cilia, axial patterning of the otic placode, otic neurogenesis, and olfactory rod cells. In addition, we study the zebrafish ear and lateral line as a model for human deafness and vestibular disease, including studies of drug discovery and drug ototoxicity.

Work in the lab is currently funded by:

EPSRC - https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/
Wellcome Trust - https://wellcome.org/
 

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Alexander EE, Altieri SC, Avraham KB, Bardhan T, Baxendale S, Beraneck M, Bhonker Y, Cardon G, Chen P, Clause A , Contreras J et al (2014) Contributors, Development of Auditory and Vestibular Systems (pp. xi-xiii). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Baxendale S & Whitfield TT (2014) Zebrafish inner ear development and function In Romand R & Varela-Nieto I (Ed.), Development of Auditory and Vestibular Systems (pp. 63-105). Academic Press (Elsevier) View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Baxendale S & Whitfield TT (2014) Zebrafish Inner Ear Development and Function, Development of Auditory and Vestibular Systems (pp. 63-105). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abbas L & Whitfield TT (2010) 4 The zebrafish inner ear, Zebrafish (pp. 123-171). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abbas L & Whitfield TT (2010) The Zebrafish Inner Ear In Perry SF, Ekker M, Farrell AP & Brauner CJ (Ed.), Zebrafish (pp. 123-171). Academic Press RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

Posters

  • Jones A, Mendonca T, Whitfield T & Frangi A 'Exploring the curves of the zebrafish inner ear'. RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

Research group

Research Group Members:

Lab alumni

  • Dr Anzar Asad
  • Dr Mar Marzo
  • Dr Davide Baldera
  • Dr Elvira Diamantopoulou
  • Dr Tania Mendonca
  • Dr Ryan Hartwell
  • Dr Sarah Burbridge
  • Dr Esther Maier
  • Dr Georgina Stooke-Vaughan
  • Dr Lauren Buck
  • Dr Fan-Suo Geng
  • Dr Bernardo Blanco-Sánchez
  • Dr Giuliano Giuliani
  • Dr Leila Abbas
  • Dr Kate Hammond
  • Mrs Joanne Spencer
  • Ms Helen Loynes
  • Ms Lucy Smith
  • Dr Catriona Mowbray
  • Ms C. J. Holdsworth
  • Dr King Yee Cheung
  • Dr Ana A. Jones

PhD, postdoc, fellowship and undergraduate summer project opportunities:

We welcome enquiries from anyone interested in joining the lab, including enquiries from self-funded students.

Please email Tanya Whitfield (t.whitfield@sheffield.ac.uk) for more information.

Specific PhD projects, postdoc, fellowship and other opportunities will be posted here in the PhD Project Directory when positions are available. You can limit your search by Supervisor.

Grants
Teaching activities

Undergraduate:

  • BIS303 Research Project - Patients as Educators
  • BIS302 Literature Review
  • Tutor to undergraduates at all Levels

MSc taught programmes:

  • BMS6083 Practical Developmental Genetics - Module co-ordinator (with Dr F. van Eeden)
  • BIS405 Literature Review and Research Proposal
  • BMS61005 Research Project
Professional activities and memberships

Selected Current Professional Activities:

  • Board of Reviewing Editors, eLife - http://www.elifesciences.org/
  • RM Committee member, BBSRC sLoLa Panel
  • Member, International Zebrafish Society (IZFS) Board of Directors (European and Mediterranean Representative