Current lab members

Dave trained as a biochemist and is interested in different aspects of bacterial chromosome biology, particularly gene regulation. He relocated his laboratory to the University of Birmingham in March 2011 having previously established a research group at the University of Warwick. He is a life-long supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. He believes this has made it easier to cope with the frequent disappointments that befall a research scientist.

David grew up in Sheffield, and much to his parents dismay stayed there to study for his undergraduate Masters degree at The University of Sheffield. He then moved to the Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology at Newcastle University for his PhD and first research associate job investigating a novel RNA polymerase in B.subtilis. Now in the Grainger Lab, he’ll be looking into AT rich DNA and its role in bidirectional transcription initiation.

Prateek studied Genetic Engineering at SRM University, India, and did his undergraduate research project at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS). At NCBS he developed an interest in Molecular Microbiology and Plant defence systems. After his undergraduate degree, Prateek moved to the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena (Germany) and completed his MSc in Molecular Life Sciences. Prateek joined the Grainger Lab in 2013 and is funded by The Darwin Trust of Edinburgh. His work currently focuses on understanding Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) enterotoxin expression in response to environment and host.

Emily is from Devon and moved to Birmingham in 2012 to study at the University of Birmingham. After graduating with an MSci in Human Biology she returned to the university as a PhD student and Research Technician with the Grainger Lab. Upon completing her PhD Emily obtained a post-doctoral position in the lab. She is exploring pervasive transcription and its regulation in E. coli.

Simon moved to Birmingham to study Biological Sciences at Aston University. After a brief stint in finance, Simon completed his MSc at the IMI where he went to on to work as a technician in Jessica Blair’s Lab. Simon returned to the IMI to join the Grainger Lab after completing his PhD in Microbiology at the Institut Pasteur in Paris.

Born and raised in Milton Keynes, Andrew completed his undergraduate Masters in Biochemistry at The University of Birmingham. As part of his degree he completed a year placement at GSK, before returning for his final year where he explored the mechanisms of acid resistance in E. coli. His fundamental interest is the regulation of antibiotic resistance, which brought him back to Birmingham and to the Grainger Lab to complete his PhD. Andrew is funded by BBSRC as part of the MIBTP.

Rachel started work at UoB in 2006 as a research technician, later undertaking a part-time MSc in Clinical Oncology. During her time at UoB she has gained experience in cell culture, molecular biology, immunohistochemistry, clinical oncology, genomics, and in-depth Nanopore sequencing technology. Outside the lab Rachel is a family person, enjoying spending time with her 2 children. Rachel joined the Grainger lab as senior research technician in December 2022, taking a new and exciting direction in her career to investigate the pathogenesis of bacteria.

Joni, originally from Glasgow, has lived in Dubai, Buckinghamshire, and Warwick before moving to Birmingham. Completing her integrated undergraduate and master’s in Biological Sciences at the University of Warwick, looking at both viral, fungal and bacterial pathogens, she has now moved to UoB as part of the 2023 MIBTP cohort funded by the BBSRC to complete her PhD as part of the Grainger Lab.

Matt is originally from Hertfordshire and moved to Birmingham in 2018 to complete his undergraduate degree at the University of Birmingham. He graduated with an MSci in Biochemistry. His interests in the molecular mechanisms of how pathogens cause disease brought him to the Grainger Lab to complete his PhD. His work investigates the transcription regulation of lifestyle changes in V. cholerae. Matt is funded by the BBSRC as part of the MIBTP.