Professor Louise Robson

School of Biosciences

Professor of Digital Innovation in Learning and Teaching

Dr Louise Robson
Profile picture of Dr Louise Robson
l.robson@sheffield.ac.uk
Firth Court

Full contact details

Professor Louise Robson
School of Biosciences
Firth Court
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile
  • 2022 - present: Faculty Director of Education, School of Biosciences, the University of Sheffield
  • 2021 - 2022: Assistant Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching, Science
  • 2021: onwards Professor of Digital Innovation in Learning and Teaching
  • 2019 - 2020: Senior University Teacher and Director of Learning and Teaching, School of Biosciences, the University of Sheffield
Research interests

Our research is focused on the role of ion channels in the physiology and pathophysiology of epithelial cells, particularly intestinal and airway cells. In collaboration with R Muimo (Medical School) we have a particular interest in cystic fibrosis and the role of CFTR in airway and the intestine.  Previous work in the kidney has concentrated on the role of K+ channels and the K+ channel regulator KCNE1.

Epithelial physiology

My research is focused on the role of ion channels in the physiology and pathophysiology of epithelial cells, particularly airway cells, but also renal and gut. Previous work has investigated the role of K+ channels and the K+ channel regulator KCNE1 in renal cells, and also TRP channels in airway and bone.

Current research is focussed on investigating the role of the Cl- channel CFTR in airway Cl- secretion. CFTR is the channel mutated in the disease cystic fibrosis. The lab works with R Muimo (Medical School) and A Mehta (University of Dundee) to investigate proteins that interact with the CFTR protein.

We work with C Taylor (Sheffield Children’s Hospital) investigating compounds that may have therapeutic potential in cystic fibrosis, and also carry out diagnostic work on individuals who have an inconclusive sweat test (the standard test for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis).

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

  • Robson L (2023) . Physiology ¾Ã²Ý¸£Àû, 130, 24-26.
  • Robson L (2022) . Physiology ¾Ã²Ý¸£Àû Magazine, 126(Summer 2022), 43-43.
  • Robson L, Gardner B & Dommett EJ (2022) . Education Sciences, 12(2).
  • Nordmann E, Horlin C, Hutchison J, Murray J-A, Robson L, Seery MK & MacKay JRD (2020) . PLOS Computational Biology, 16(10).
  • Nordmann E, Küepper-Tetzel CE, Robson L, Phillipson S, Lipan GI & McGeorge P (2020) . Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology.
  • Neal AM, Taylor HC, Millar ID, Kibble JD, White SJ & Robson L (2011) . J Physiol, 589(Pt 14), 3595-3609.
  • Borthwick LA, Neal A, Hobson L, Gerke V, Robson L & Muimo R (2008) . Cell Calcium, 44(2), 147-157.
  • Borthwick LA, McGaw J, Conner G, Taylor CJ, Gerke V, Mehta A, Robson L & Muimo R (2007) . Mol Biol Cell, 18(9), 3388-3397.

Book chapters

  • Robson L & Kauffman CA (2022) , Methods in Physiology (pp. 315-342). Springer International Publishing

Conference proceedings

  • Robson L & Clow C (2018) . EDULEARN18 Proceedings (pp 6311-6316). Palma, Spain, 2 July 2018 - 2 July 2018.

Digital content

  • Nordmann E, Kuepper-Tetzel C, Robson L, MacKay J & Banas K (2024) Banning lecture capture would not free students from loneliness. Retrieved from
  • Robson L From PhD student to Professor in physiology education: My career path as a physiology educator.

Preprints

  • Robson L (2025) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

All publications

Journal articles

  • Robson L (2023) . Physiology ¾Ã²Ý¸£Àû, 130, 24-26.
  • Robson L (2022) . Physiology ¾Ã²Ý¸£Àû Magazine, 126(Summer 2022), 43-43.
  • Robson L, Gardner B & Dommett EJ (2022) . Education Sciences, 12(2).
  • Nordmann E, Horlin C, Hutchison J, Murray J-A, Robson L, Seery MK & MacKay JRD (2020) . PLOS Computational Biology, 16(10).
  • Nordmann E, Küepper-Tetzel CE, Robson L, Phillipson S, Lipan GI & McGeorge P (2020) . Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology.
  • Borthwick LA, Kerbiriou M, Taylor CJ, Cozza G, Lascu I, Postel EH, Cassidy D, Trouvé P, Mehta A, Robson L & Muimo R (2016) . PLoS One, 11(3).
  • Robson L (2014) . The Journal of Physiology, 592(18), 3953-3954.
  • Little R, Muimo R, Robson L, Harris K & Grabowski PS (2011) . PLOS ONE, 6(11).
  • Neal AM, Taylor HC, Millar ID, Kibble JD, White SJ & Robson L (2011) . J Physiol, 589(Pt 14), 3595-3609.
  • England AK, Muimo R & Robson L (2011) THE ROLE OF TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION IN REGULATING CFTR FUNCTION IN EPITHELIAL CELLS. PEDIATR PULM, 250-250.
  • Davies JP & Robson L (2010) . Journal of Membrane Biology, 237(2-3), 79-91.
  • Laycock S, Taylor HC, Haigh C, Lee AT, Cooper GJ, Ong ACM & Robson L (2009) . Exp Physiol, 94(8), 914-927.
  • Muimo R, Nagaraj V, Palekar S & Robson L (2009) EFFECT OF RUTHENIUM RED AND cAMP ON Ca2+ HANDLING IN BREAST CANCER CELLS. J PHYSIOL SCI, 59, 249-249.
  • Harris KL, Muimo R & Robson L (2009) CFTR PLAYS A ROLE IN REGULATING CALCIUM PERMEABLE ION CHANNELS IN AIRWAY EPITHELIA. J PHYSIOL SCI, 59, 299-299.
  • Borthwick LA, Neal A, Hobson L, Gerke V, Robson L & Muimo R (2008) . Cell Calcium, 44(2), 147-157.
  • Borthwick LA, McGaw J, Conner G, Taylor CJ, Gerke V, Mehta A, Robson L & Muimo R (2007) . Mol Biol Cell, 18(9), 3388-3397.
  • Muinio R, Borthwick L, Taylor CJ, Conner G, Mehta A, Gerke V & Robson L (2007) The cAMP/PKA-dependent annexin 2-S100A10 complex with CFTR is functionally important. PEDIATR PULM, 235-236.
  • Millar ID, Taylor HC, Cooper GJ, Kibble JD & Robson L (2006) . J Membr Biol, 211(3), 173-184.
  • Millar ID, Taylor HC, Cooper GJ, Kibble JD, Barhanin J & Robson L (2006) . Pflugers Arch, 453(1), 107-116.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (2005) . J Membr Biol, 207(3), 161-167.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (2005) . J Membr Biol, 204(1), 39-47.
  • Millar ID, Hartley JA, Haigh C, Grace AA, White SJ, Kibble JD & Robson L (2004) . Exp Physiol, 89(2), 173-180.
  • Balloch KJD, Hartley JA, Millar ID, Kibble JD & Robson L (2003) . J Membr Biol, 192(3), 191-201.
  • Millar ID & Robson L (2001) . Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 280(5), F758-F767.
  • Kibble JD, Balloch KJ, Neal AM, Hill C, White S, Robson L, Green R & Taylor CJ (2001) . J Physiol, 532(Pt 2), 449-457.
  • Ortega B, Millar ID, Beesley AH, Robson L & White SJ (2000) . J Physiol, 528 Pt 1(Pt 1), 5-13.
  • Kibble JD, Balloch KJD & Robson L (2000) Renal proximal tubule cells isolated from mouse kidney express a cAMP-activated cation-selective conductance. J PHYSIOL-LONDON, 527, 16P-17P.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (2000) . J Physiol, 523 Pt 2(Pt 2), 301-311.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1999) . J Physiol, 517 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1), 193-200.
  • Mounfield PR & Robson L (1998) . J Physiol, 510 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1), 145-153.
  • Mounfield PR & Robson L (1998) The role of Ca2+ in volume regulation induced by Na+-coupled alanine uptake in single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney.. The Journal of physiology, 510.
  • Mounfield PR & Robson L (1997) Alanine-induced volume regulatory decrease in single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney. J PHYSIOL-LONDON, 505P, 108P-108P.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1997) Alanine uptake regulates a volume-sensitive, Ca2+-permeable conductance in single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney.. J PHYSIOL-LONDON, 504P, P138-P139.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1997) . J Physiol, 500 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3), 605-616.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1997) Identification of a cation non-selective channel in the basolateral membrane of single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney. J PHYSIOL-LONDON, 499P, P56-P57.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1997) . J Physiol, 498 ( Pt 2)(Pt 2), 409-417.
  • Robson L, Tarran R & Hunter M (1995) . The Journal of Physiology, 486(3), 715-721.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1994) . Pflügers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, 429(1), 98-106.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1994) . The Journal of Physiology, 480(1), 1-7.
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1994) . Pfl�gers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, 428(1), 60-68.

Book chapters

  • Robson L & Kauffman CA (2022) , Methods in Physiology (pp. 315-342). Springer International Publishing

Conference proceedings

  • Robson L & Clow C (2018) . EDULEARN18 Proceedings (pp 6311-6316). Palma, Spain, 2 July 2018 - 2 July 2018.
  • England AK, Muimo R & Robson L (2011) A potential role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). FASEB JOURNAL, Vol. 25
  • Robson L, Neal A, Taylor H, Millar I, White S & Kibble J (2011) KCNE1 regulates a chromanol-sensitive pathway in mouse kidney. FASEB JOURNAL, Vol. 25
  • Robson L, Neal AM & Kibble JD (2005) Clorilium mimics the renal response of KCNE1 knockout mice. FASEB JOURNAL, Vol. 19(5) (pp A1173-A1173)
  • Lee AT, Ong ACM & Robson L (2005) Localisation of polycystin-1 and 2 in a mouse collecting duct cell line. FASEB JOURNAL, Vol. 19(4) (pp A148-A148)
  • Robson L, Laycock SK, Brier T, Ong ACM & Haigh C (2003) A Ca2+-activated conductance in cultured mouse collecting duct cells.. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY, Vol. 14 (pp 80A-80A)
  • Davies JP & Robson L (2003) Antagonist sensitivity of a P2X receptor in frog isolated proximal tubule cells.. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY, Vol. 14 (pp 83A-83A)
  • White SJ, Hajihasemi S, Cooper GJ, Robson L & Ortega B (2003) A C-terminal mutation enhances ROMK2 stability in oocytes and MDCK cells.. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY, Vol. 14 (pp 78A-78A)
  • Davies JP & Robson L (2002) Role of P2X receptors in volume regulation in renal proximal tubule cells isolated from frog. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, Vol. 544 (pp 98P-98P)
  • Khandel K & Robson L (2001) Quinidine inhibits Na+-alanine cotransport currents in frog isolated renal proximal tubule cells. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, Vol. 535 (pp 24P-25P)
  • Millar ID, White SJ, Kibble JD & Robson L (2001) IsK does not regulate a basolateral channel in mouse renal proximal convoluted tubules. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, Vol. 535 (pp 24P-24P)
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1993) Slowing of K+ current rundown by ATP is independent of ATP hydrolysis in proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney. Journal of Physiology, Vol. 467 (pp 386)
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1993) Gadolinium inhibits a voltage-independent current in cells isolated from frog proximal tubule. Journal of Physiology, Vol. 467 (pp 221)
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1992) What is the cause of the repolarization observed after addition of alanine to the bathing solution of cells isolated from frog proximal tubule?. Journal of Physiology, Vol. 446 (pp 252)
  • Robson L & Hunter M (1990) Increases of frog isolated proximal tubule cell lenghts induced by hypotonic shock and alanine. Journal of Physiology, Vol. 430 (pp 143)

Digital content

  • Nordmann E, Kuepper-Tetzel C, Robson L, MacKay J & Banas K (2024) Banning lecture capture would not free students from loneliness. Retrieved from
  • Robson L From PhD student to Professor in physiology education: My career path as a physiology educator.

Preprints

  • Robson L (2025) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  • Nordmann E, Kuepper-Tetzel CE, Robson L, Phillipson S, Lipan G & Mcgeorge P (2018) , Center for Open Science.
Teaching interests

I have been at Sheffield since 1996, and teach at all levels across the courses in Biomedical Science.  One of the things I have always tried to do is use new and innovative ways to deliver sessions to students, principally to strengthen their understanding of physiology but also to develop their transferable skills.

I use a mixture of traditional approaches such as lectures and project work, together with and alternative approaches such as online quizzes, problem solving sessions and lecture capture to deliver modules and sessions. 

I am always looking to embed digital technologies to not only teach but provide academic and pastoral support to students as well.  I am also very active in outreach work, delivering sessions in Science Week every year and talking at the Royal Institution in London.  As an enthusiastic teacher I aim to really grab student attention, ensuring I equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed after they graduate.

Teaching activities

Undergraduate:

  • BMS109-108 Physiology with Pharmacology
  • BMS242/245 Phys Pharm Cells (Coordinator)
  • BMS242/243 Core Phys Pharm
  • BMS303 Molecular Physiology of Ion Channels  (Coordinator)
  • BMS311 The Kidney in Health & Disease (Coordinator)
  • BMS346 Epithelial Physiology in Health & Disease (Coordinator)
  • BMS6063 Epithelial Physiology in health and diseas

Masters (MSc):

  • BMS6062 Molecular Physiology of Ion Channels and Human Disease (Coordinator)
  • BMS6063 Epithelial Physiology in Health and Disease (Coordinator)

Other:

  • BMS603 Science in Schools
Professional activities and memberships
  • Physiological Society Otto Hutter Teaching prize winner (2018)
  • Senior Fellow of the Physiological Society (2017 onwards)
  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) (2016 onwards)
  • Senate Award for Sustained Excellence in Learning and Teaching (2009)
  • Member of the Meetings Committee of the Physiological Society (2015-2018)
  • Chair of the Physiological Society Education Committee (2008-2012)
  • Reviewing editor for the Journal of Physiology (2012-2015)
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Physiological Society (2008-2012)
  • Physiological Society Biller Prize (2002)
  • Active in Outreach and Access work in schools
  • Lecturer for the Royal Institution
  • Winner of 'Best overall lecturer in BMS' (2015 to 2019)
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (2020 onwards)
  • Committee member of the Royal Society of Biology Yorkshire Branch (2020 onwards)