Sadie Hallett

Pathway 1+3

Cohort 2020

Pathway Journey

Rotation projects: CRISPR-mediated tagging of LEM2, MAN1 and BAF for investigation of the role of ESCRT-III/VPS4 in peripheral chromatin organisation; Neutralising antibody responses to SARS-CoV- 2 elicited by the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine; Function of cell stress-associated RNA-binding proteins in cancer

PhD project: The function of cell stress-associated RNA-binding proteins, LARP4A and LARP4B, in cancer

Biography

I graduated from the University of Warwick in 2020 with an integrated masters (MBio) in Biochemistry. During my time at Warwick, my research projects involved purification of a recombinant E. coli seryl-tRNA synthetase for antimicrobial drug discovery and investigation of human seryl-tRNA synthetase mutations associated with a rare form of intellectual disability. I also took part in the 2019 iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition where our team Infatuation explored the use of lipases to breakdown fatbergs in sewage systems.

I am now beginning the second year of my PhD (third year on the programme). One thing that I think is great about the DTP is the option to do an MRes year (1+3) and try out projects in different areas before choosing one for your PhD. Although I have no background in immunology, this enabled me to spend 3 months working on antibody responses to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also gained a lot of confidence and experience in the lab in my MRes year. Secondly, I really enjoy being part of a cohort and part of the wider DTP community. I have met wonderful people through the DTP and have found it extremely valuable to be able to share the PhD experience with others.

Publications

Dupont, L., Snell, L.B., Graham, C., Seow, J., Merrick, B., Lechmere, T., Maguire, T.J., Hallett, S.R., Pickering, S., Charalampous, T. and Alcolea-Medina, A., 2021. Neutralizing antibody activity in convalescent sera from infection in humans with SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern. Nature microbiology, 6(11), pp.1433-1442.

Seow, J., Graham, C., Hallett, S.R., Lechmere, T., Maguire, T.J., Huettner, I., Cox, D., Khan, H., Pickering, S., Roberts, R. and Waters, A., 2022. ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine elicits monoclonal antibodies with cross-neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 viral variants. Cell reports, 39(5), p.110757.