Dr Elizabeth Seward

School of Biosciences

Senior Lecturer

e.p.seward@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 2383
Firth Court

Full contact details

Dr Elizabeth Seward
School of Biosciences
Firth Court
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile
  • 2003- Present: Senior Lecturer, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, UK
  • 2000-2003: Lecturer, Department of Cell Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Leicester, UK
  • 1996-2000: Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology, University of Bristol, UK.
  • 1994-1995: Postdoctoral Fellow, Glaxo Institute for Molecular Biology, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • 1991-1994: Medical Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept Anatomy & Neurobiology, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
  • 1991: Postdoctoral Researcher, Dept. Pharm., University of California, San Diego, USA
  • 1986-1990: Ph.D. Department of Pharmacolgy, University of Cambridge, UK. Member of Trinity College.
  • 1985: M. Phil. Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, UK. Member of Trinity College.
  • 1981-1984: B.Sc. (First Class Honours). Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Research interests

Aberrant secretion of neurotransmitters, hormones or immune mediators contributes to the pathology of a wide variety of chronic neurological, endocrine and inflammatory diseases ranging from stress and hypertension through to asthma and irritable bowel syndrome.

Research in our lab is focussed on identifying the signalling pathways and molecules controlling secretion from neurones and mast cells, with a special interest in voltage-gated (CaV), ligand-gated (P2X and nAChR), receptor-operated (TRPC) and store-operated (Orai) calcium channels, IgE and G protein coupled receptors (P2Y, Histamine), and SNARE regulatory proteins (synaptotagmins, Doc2 and Munc13).  

Most of our work is performed at the level of isolated primary cells using high resolution techniques including patch-clamp electrophysiology, carbon fibre amperometry, calcium imaging and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy with various fluorescence-based biosensors.

Recent highlights of our research include (1) the discovery of ATP-sensitive P2X receptors on human lung mast cells, activation of which may contribute to the pathophysiology of asthma, (2) the first demonstration of Munc13 as an essential effector of phospholipase C-coupled G protein coupled receptor regulation of neurotransmitter release in mammalian  cells, and (3) the modulatory action of synaptotagmin IV on the calcium-sensitivity of the neuronal fusion machinery.

Regulated exocytosis and receptor signalling

Understanding the complex interplay between membrane receptors and the exocytotic machinery remains a fundamental unresolved question in cell biology. Regulated exocytosis involves the fusion of specialized vesicles with the plasma membrane and the ensuing secretion of chemical transmitters; it is the process most commonly used by cells to communicate with each other. Aberrant secretion contributes to the symptoms of a diverse group of diseases, ranging from metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disorders and neurological disorders to chronic inflammatory diseases. 

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of cell surface receptors in the human genome; in the nervous system they are part of a complex information processing system used to modulate neurotransmitter secretion and thereby co-ordinate the body’s response to changes in the external environment. An estimated 40% of marketed drugs target GPCRs, understanding the molecular mechanisms used by GPCRs to modulate neurotransmission is therefore an important area of neuroscience research and drug discovery programs. 

Much knowledge has been gained over the last two decades about regulated exocytosis and the key molecules required for docking, priming and fusion of transmitter storing vesicles, but what is really lacking is an understanding of how these processes are modulated by cell surface receptors to fine tune secretory output.

Research in our lab is focused on identifying which signalling pathways are used by GPCRs to modulate secretion and, which molecules controlling exocytosis are targeted by these pathways.

We study exocytosis and receptor signalling using patch-clamp electrophysiology, amperometry, calcium imaging and high resolution fluorescent imaging in primary cells of neuronal and immune origin The results of our research provide insight into how receptor regulated modulation of exocytosis are altered in disease, and how this may be targeted to alleviate the symptoms of disease.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

  • González-Santana A, Estévez-Herrera J, Seward EP, Borges R & Machado JD (2021) . Cell Reports, 36(8).
  • Wajdner HE, Farrington J, Barnard C, Peachell PT, Schnackenberg CG, Marino JP, Xu X, Affleck K, Begg M & Seward EP (2017) . Physiological Reports, 5(5).
  • Wareham KJ & Seward EP (2016) . Purinergic Signalling, 12(2), 235-246.
  • Kay LJ, Gilbert M, Pullen N, Skerratt S, Farrington J, Seward EP & Peachell PT (2013) . Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 43, 741-751.
  • Magadmi R, Meszaros J, Damanhouri Z & Seward E () . Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 13.

All publications

Journal articles

  • Hodgson AKO, Baxandall L, Aiyedun D, Li A, Au PYB, Bain JM, Gillentine MA, Goel H, Kline AD, Ricupero CL , Sánchez‐Carpintero R et al (2025) . American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, 197(6).
  • Caliskan C, Simsek D, Leese C, Doran C, Seward E, Peden AA & Davletov B (2024) . ALTEX, 41(4), 605-616.
  • González-Santana A, Estévez-Herrera J, Seward EP, Borges R & Machado JD (2021) . Cell Reports, 36(8).
  • Andreou AP, Leese C, Greco R, Demartini C, Corrie E, Simsek D, Zanaboni A, Koroleva K, Lloyd JO, Lambru G , Doran C et al (2021) . Toxicon, 190, S5-S5.
  • Andreou AP, Leese C, Greco R, Demartini C, Corrie E, Simsek D, Zanaboni A, Koroleva K, Lloyd JO, Lambru G , Doran C et al (2021) . Neurotherapeutics, 18(1), 556-568.
  • Kaewpitak A, Bauer CS, Seward EP, Boissonade FM & Douglas CWI (2020) . International Endodontic Journal, 53(6), 846-858.
  • Wajdner HE, Farrington J, Barnard C, Peachell PT, Schnackenberg CG, Marino JP, Xu X, Affleck K, Begg M & Seward EP (2017) . Physiological Reports, 5(5).
  • Wareham KJ & Seward EP (2016) . Purinergic Signalling, 12(2), 235-246.
  • Farrington J, Seward EP & Peachell PT (2014) , 49-55.
  • Kay LJ, Gilbert M, Pullen N, Skerratt S, Farrington J, Seward EP & Peachell PT (2013) . Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 43, 741-751.
  • Farrington J, Tree-Booker CL, Peachell P & Seward EP (2012) . BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL, 102(3), 425A-425A.
  • Johnson SL, Franz C, Kuhn S, Furness DN, Rüttiger L, Münkner S, Rivolta MN, Seward EP, Herschman HR, Engel J , Knipper M et al (2010) . Nat Neurosci, 13(1), 45-52.
  • Wareham K, Vial C, Wykes RCE, Bradding P & Seward EP (2009) . Br J Pharmacol, 157(7), 1215-1224.
  • Zorec R, Cousin MA & Seward EP (2007) . Journal of Physiology, 585(3), 653-654.
  • Wykes RCE, Lee M, Duffy SM, Yang WD, Seward EP & Bradding P (2007) Functional transient receptor potential melastatin 7 channels are critical for human mast cell survival. J IMMUNOL, 179(6), 4045-4052.
  • Wykes RCE, Bauer CS, Khan SU, Weiss JL & Seward EP (2007) . J Neurosci, 27(19), 5236-5248.
  • Bauer CS, Woolley RJ, Teschemacher AG & Seward EP (2007) . J Neurosci, 27(1), 212-219.
  • Ennion SJ, Powell AD & Seward EP (2004) . Mol Pharmacol, 66(3), 601-611.
  • Trifaró J-M, Lejen T, Rosé SD, Dumitrescu Pene T, Barkar ND & Seward EP (2002) . Neurochemical Research, 27(11), 1371-1385.
  • Teschemacher AG & Seward EP (2000) . The Journal of Neuroscience, 20(13), 4776-4785.
  • Powell AD, Teschemacher AG & Seward EP (2000) . The Journal of Neuroscience, 20(2), 606-616.
  • Seward EP & Teschemacher AG (2000) G-protein coupled receptor stimulation of PLC, Ca2+and PKC increases the readily releasable pool of vesicles in chromaffin cells. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, 12, 18-18.
  • Powell AD & Seward EP (2000) Differential coupling between subtypes of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and stimulus-evoked exocytosis in adult, bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 523, 4P-5P.
  • Teschemacher AG, Seward EP, Hancox JC & Witchel HJ (1999) . British Journal of Pharmacology, 128(2), 479-485.
  • Emmanouilidou E, Teschemacher AG, Pouli AE, Nicholls LI, Seward EP & Rutter GA (1999) Imaging Ca2+ concentration changes at the secretory vesicle surface with a recombinant targeted cameleon. Current Biology, 9(16), S1.
  • Emmanouilidou E, Teschemacher AG, Pouli AE, Nicholls LI, Seward EP & Rutter GA (1999) . Current Biology, 9(16), 915-S1.
  • Nowycky MC, Seward EP & Chernevskaya NI (1998) . Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 18(1), 65-80.
  • Werner P, Seward EP, Buell GN & North RA (1996) . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 93(26), 15485-15490.
  • Seward EP, Chernevskaya NI & Nowycky MC (1996) . The Journal of Neuroscience, 16(4), 1370-1379.
  • Seward EP & Nowycky MC (1996) . The Journal of Neuroscience, 16(2), 553-562.
  • Rimland JM, Seward EP, Humbert Y, Ratti E, Trist DG & North RA (1996) . Molecular Pharmacology, 49(3), 387-390.
  • Matthes H, Seward EP, Kieffer B & North RA (1996) . Molecular Pharmacology, 50(3), 447-450.
  • Seward EP, Chernevskaya NI & Nowycky MC (1995) . The Journal of Neuroscience, 15(5), 3390-3399.
  • Mollard P, Seward EP & Nowycky MC (1995) . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 92(7), 3065-3069.
  • Vitale ML, Seward EP & Trifaró J-M (1995) . Neuron, 14(2), 353-363.
  • (1991) . Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 244(1310), 129-135.
  • Seward EP & Henderson G (1990) . Pfl�gers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, 417(2), 223-230.
  • Esplin B, Théorêt Y, Seward E & Capek R (1985) . Neuropharmacology, 24(6), 571-575.
  • Magadmi R, Meszaros J, Damanhouri Z & Seward E () . Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 13.

Book chapters

  • Seward EP & Wykes RC (2023) , Methods in Molecular Biology (pp. 187-202). Springer US
  • Farrington J, Seward EP & Peachell PT (2020) In Gibbs BF & Falcone FH (Ed.), Basophils and Mast Cells : Methods and Protocols (pp. 49-56). Springer

Conference proceedings

  • Wajdner H, Farrington J, Barnard C, Peachell PT & Seward EP (2014) . BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 106(2) (pp 317A-317A)
  • Bauer CS, Groffen AJ & Seward EP (2014) . BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 106(2) (pp 312A-312A)
  • Wykes RCE, Seward EP & Bradding P (2005) Expression of TRPM7 and TRPM2 channels in human lung mast. THORAX, Vol. 60 (pp II120-II120)
  • Wykes RCE, Baber C & Seward EP (2005) Selective inhibition of rapid exocytosis from adrenal chromaffin cells by adenoviral expression of a mutant calmodulin. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 88(1) (pp 262A-262A)
  • Wykes RCE, Duffy SM, Seward EP & Bradding P (2004) Identification of a TRPM7-like cation channel in human lung mast cells. THORAX, Vol. 59(1) (pp 27-28)
  • Wykes RC & Seward EP (2004) Calmodulin Regulation of Calcium Channels in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 86(1) (pp 275A-275A)
  • Kennedy C, Seward EP & Henderson G (1990) Induction of tolerance to the inhibitory effect of mu opioid receptor agonists on the calcium current in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. New Leads in Opioid Research Proceedings of the International Narcotics Research Conference Ics914 (pp 302)

Preprints

  • González-Santana A, Estévez-Herrera J, Seward EP, Borges R & Machado JD () .
Research group

Collaborators

  • Dr Walter Marcotti
  • Dr Peter Peachell
  • Dr Heather Wilson
  • Prof G Battaglia
  • Prof D Grundy
  • Prof Peter Bradding (University of Leicester, UK)

Postgraduate studentship opportunities

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

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Grants
  • Wellcome Trust
  • HEFCE
  • GSK
  • AZ
  • BBSRC
Teaching activities

Undergraduate:

  • BMS109-108 Physiology with Pharmacology (Coordinator)
  • BMS242/245 Phys Pharm Cells
  • BMS242/243 Core Phys Pharm
  • BMS301 Membrane Receptors (Coordinator)
  • BMS376 Membrane Trafficking
  • Level 3 Practical and Dissertation Modules

Masters (MSc):

  • BMS6061 Membrane Receptors (Coordinator)
Professional activities and memberships

Member of:

  • Asthma UK Research Review Panel Member
  • International Symposium on Chromaffin Cell Biology Organizing Committee (2005-)
  • Biophysical Society, Exocytosis and Endocytosis Subgroup (2002-)
  • Society for Neuroscience (1991-)
  • Physiological Society (1999-)

Links