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Staff Profile

Dr Suzanne Madgwick

Senior Lecturer

  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 8723
  • Address: Medical School
    University of Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne
    Framlington Place
    Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne
    NE2 4HH

Background

Biography


I obtained my undergraduate degree in Animal Physiology the University of Leeds and a PhD from Â鶹´«Ã½ with time at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Canada in 2004. I carried out a first postdoctoral period under supervision of Prof. Keith Jones (2004-2007), before taking a career break for family reasons. In 2013 I was awarded a Wellcome Career Re-entry Fellowship (2013-2019) with which to begin an independent career, followed by a MRC Career Development Award (2020-2025). In 2023 I was promoted to Senior Lecturer, a position that will take effect at the end of my MRC Fellowship.

Research

My research focuses on understanding cell cycle regulation in mammalian oocytes, uncovering mechanisms that regulate healthy divisions and ways in which this knowledge may be exploited to improve success rates of assisted reproductive therapies (both in humans and livestock animals). This is fundamental bioscience research with translational links. We use a range of imaging, molecular biology, and oocyte micromanipulation techniques.


Through a Wellcome Trust Career Re-entry Fellowship I supervised my first PhD student, and with a MRC Career Development Award I have expanded the lab to currently include a Research Associate and 4 PhD students. Returning to science after a career break was challenging, but I am proud to now manage and support my own research group, collaborating with colleagues both internally and externally, and with business links through my research.

 

With this team I have 3 main threads of investigation, each with a growing collaborative network. Their aims and methods all support one another.

 

1. Fundamental research science studying molecular mechanisms of key cell cycle protein regulation.

 

2. Revealing protein signatures of competency and non-competency in mammalian oocytes by applying Imaging Mass Cytometry techniques.

 

3. A focus on cell cycle biology but specifically studying bovine oocytes to improve imaging methods and determine markers that indicate competency. This line of investigation has links to food security, animal welfare and reducing emissions in livestock industries. 

Teaching

Seminar lead through Masters module MMB8018 'Biomolecular Research in Health and Disease'

Seminar lead through 3rd year undergraduate module BMS3007 'Research in Biomedical Sciences'

Primary supervisor through 3rd year undergraduate and MRes extended laboratory projects.

Publications

  • Articles

    • Wetherall B, Bulmer D, Sarginson A, Thomas C, Madgwick S. . PLOS Biology 2025, 23(4), 03003131.
    • Wetherall B, Bulmer D, Sarginson A, Thomas C, Madgwick S. . BioRxiv 2025. Submitted.
    • Smith CM, Tang MY, Clark G, Madgwick S. . Human Fertility 2025, 28(1), 2488759.
    • Simpson EL, Wetherall B, Byrska A, Cheeseman LP, Mendonca T, Xing X, Beckett AJ, Maiato H, Sarginson A, Prior IA, Hartshorne GM, McAinsh AD, Madgwick S, Booth DG. The Chromosome Periphery is an Essential Compartment of Oocyte Chromosomes. BioRxiv 2024. Submitted.
    • Chalmers SB, Madgwick S, Lloyd-Lewis B, McClurg UL, Elias S, Andersen P, Madsen R, Ananthanarayanan V, Davis FM. . Nature Cell Biology 2023, 25(11), 1557-1560.
    • Madgwick S, Luli S, Sellier H, Butterworth JA, Leslie J, Moore AJ, Corbin EK, Yemm AI, Chiremba RT, Tiniakos D, Oakley F, Perkins ND, Hunter JE. . Biochemical Journal 2022, 479(19), 2115-2130.
    • Thomas C, Wetherall B, Levasseur MD, Harris RJ, Kerridge ST, Higgins JMG, Davies OR, Madgwick S. . Nature Communications 2021, 12(1), 4322.
    • Levasseur MD, Thomas C, Davies OR, Higgins JMG, Madgwick S. . Developmental Cell 2019, 48, 1-18.
    • Dunce JM, Dunne OM, Ratcliff M, Millán C, Madgwick S, Usón I, Davies OR. . Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 2018, 25(7), 557-569.
    • Madgwick S, Bagu ET, Duggavathi R, Bartlewski PM, Barrett DMW, Huchkowsky S, Cook SJ, Beard AP, Rawlings NC. . Animal Reproduction Science 2008, 104(2-4), 177-188.
    • Reis A, Madgwick S, Chang H-Y, Nabti I, Levasseur M, Jones KT. . Nature Cell Biology 2007, 9(10), 1192-1198.
    • Madgwick S, Jones KT. How eggs arrest at metaphase II: MPF stabilisation plus APC/C inhibition equals Cytostatic Factor. Cell Division 2007, 2, 1-7.
    • Madgwick S, Hansen DV, Levasseur M, Jackson PK, Jones KT. . Journal of Cell Biology 2006, 174(6), 791-801.
    • Gorr IH, Reis A, Boos D, Wuhr M, Madgwick S, Jones KT, Stemmann O. . Nature Cell Biology 2006, 8(9), 1035-1037.
    • Knott JG, Gardner AJ, Madgwick S, Jones KT, Williams CJ, Schultz RM. . Developmental Biology 2006, 296(2), 388-395.
    • Madgwick S, Evans ACO, Beard AP. . Theriogenology 2005, 63(8), 2323-2333.
    • Madgwick S, Levasseur M, Jones KT. . Journal of Cell Science 2005, 118(17), 3849-3859.
    • Madgwick S, Nixon VL, Chang HY, Herbert M, Levasseur M, Jones KT. . Developmental Biology 2004, 275(1), 68-81.
    • Bagu ET, Madgwick S, Duggavathi R, Bartlewski PM, Barrett DMW, Huchkowsky S, Cook SJ, Rawlings NC. . Theriogenology 2004, 62(5), 861-873.
    • Madgwick S, Beard AP, Bartlewski PM, Barrett D, Huchkowsky S, Rawlings NC. Treatment with Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone increases male-male mounting behaviour in 8-week-old beef bull calves. Proceedings of the International Society of Applied Ethology, PC10 2001.
    • Beard AP, Madgwick S, Quinn KM, Evans, ACO. Ovulation of aged follicles does not affect fertility after a 14 day progestagen oestrous synchronisation protocol in ewes. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, 222 2001.
    • Evans ACO, Flynn JD, Quinn KM, Duffy P, Quinn P, Madgwick S, Crosby TF, Boland MP, Beard AP. . Theriogenology 2001, 56(5), 923-936.

  • Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

    • Tukur H, Velazquez M, Herbert M, Madgwick S. . In: EMBO Worskhop, Meiosis: Exploring diversity to discover the fundamentals. Engelberg, Switzerland. 2025, Engelberg, Switzerland.