Professor Louise Robson
School of Biosciences
Professor of Digital Innovation in Learning and Teaching


+44 114 222 4688
Full contact details
School of Biosciences
Firth Court
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
- Profile
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- 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
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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
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Journal articles
- Promotion to professor in teaching and scholarship : my top tips. Physiology News Magazine, 126(Summer 2022), 43-43. View this article in WRRO
- The post-pandemic lecture : views from academic staff across the UK. Education Sciences, 12(2). View this article in WRRO
- Ten simple rules for supporting a temporary online pivot in higher education. PLOS Computational Biology, 16(10).
- Lecture capture: Practical recommendations for students and instructors. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology. View this article in WRRO
- 10 simple rules for supporting a temporary online pivot in higher education.
- Renal defects in KCNE1 knockout mice are mimicked by chromanol 293B in vivo: identification of a KCNE1-regulated K+ conductance in the proximal tubule.. J Physiol, 589(Pt 14), 3595-3609.
- The annexin 2-S100A10 complex and its association with TRPV6 is regulated by cAMP/PKA/CnA in airway and gut epithelia.. Cell Calcium, 44(2), 147-157.
- The formation of the cAMP/protein kinase A-dependent annexin 2-S100A10 complex with cystic fibrosis conductance regulator protein (CFTR) regulates CFTR channel function.. Mol Biol Cell, 18(9), 3388-3397.
Chapters
- Attendance Debate Part 1. Attendance and Performance: A New Landscape in the Era of Online Teaching, Methods in Physiology (pp. 315-342). Springer International Publishing
Conference proceedings papers
- Making innovation in education happen – How to meet student-led demand for technology and keep the faculty on board. EDULEARN18 Proceedings (pp 6311-6316). Palma, Spain, 2 July 2018 - 4 July 2018.
All publications
Journal articles
- Pandemic positives. Physiology News(Summer 2023), 24-26.
- Promotion to professor in teaching and scholarship : my top tips. Physiology News Magazine, 126(Summer 2022), 43-43. View this article in WRRO
- The post-pandemic lecture : views from academic staff across the UK. Education Sciences, 12(2). View this article in WRRO
- Ten simple rules for supporting a temporary online pivot in higher education. PLOS Computational Biology, 16(10).
- Lecture capture: Practical recommendations for students and instructors. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology. View this article in WRRO
- 10 simple rules for supporting a temporary online pivot in higher education.
- Role of Interaction and Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase B in Regulation of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Function by cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase A. PLoS ONE, 11(3), e0149097-e0149097. View this article in WRRO
- The kidney - an organ of critical importance in physiology. The Journal of Physiology, 592(18), 3953-3954.
- The Transient Receptor Potential Ion Channel TRPV6 Is Expressed at Low Levels in Osteoblasts and Has Little Role in Osteoblast Calcium Uptake. PLOS ONE, 6(11). View this article in WRRO
- Renal defects in KCNE1 knockout mice are mimicked by chromanol 293B in vivo: identification of a KCNE1-regulated K+ conductance in the proximal tubule.. J Physiol, 589(Pt 14), 3595-3609.
- Pharmacological properties and physiological function of a P2X-like current in single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney.. Journal of Membrane Biology, 237(2-3), 79-91. View this article in WRRO
- A novel dephosphorylation-activated conductance in a mouse renal collecting duct cell line.. Exp Physiol, 94(8), 914-927.
- The annexin 2-S100A10 complex and its association with TRPV6 is regulated by cAMP/PKA/CnA in airway and gut epithelia.. Cell Calcium, 44(2), 147-157.
- The formation of the cAMP/protein kinase A-dependent annexin 2-S100A10 complex with cystic fibrosis conductance regulator protein (CFTR) regulates CFTR channel function.. Mol Biol Cell, 18(9), 3388-3397.
- Adaptive downregulation of a quinidine-sensitive cation conductance in renal principal cells of TWIK-1 knockout mice.. Pflugers Arch, 453(1), 107-116.
- A Kir2.3-like K+ conductance in mouse cortical collecting duct principal cells.. J Membr Biol, 211(3), 173-184.
- Phosphorylation regulates an inwardly rectifying ATP-sensitive K(+)- conductance in proximal tubule cells of frog kidney.. J Membr Biol, 207(3), 161-167.
- Mechanisms underlying regulation of a barium-sensitive K+ conductance by ATP in single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney.. J Membr Biol, 204(1), 39-47.
- Volume regulation is defective in renal proximal tubule cells isolated from KCNE1 knockout mice.. Exp Physiol, 89(2), 173-180.
- A hypertonicity-activated nonselective conductance in single proximal tubule cells isolated from mouse kidney.. J Membr Biol, 192(3), 191-201.
- Na+-alanine uptake activates a Cl- conductance in frog renal proximal tubule cells via nonconventional PKC.. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 280(5), F758-F767.
- Renal proximal tubule function is preserved in Cftr(tm2cam) deltaF508 cystic fibrosis mice.. J Physiol, 532(Pt 2), 449-457.
- Stable, polarised, functional expression of Kir1.1b channel protein in Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line.. J Physiol, 528 Pt 1, 5-13.
- An intracellular ATP-activated, calcium-permeable conductance on the basolateral membrane of single renal proximal tubule cells isolated from Rana temporaria.. J Physiol, 523 Pt 2, 301-311.
- Stimulation of Na+-alanine cotransport activates a voltage-dependent conductance in single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney.. J Physiol, 517 ( Pt 1), 193-200.
- The role of Ca2+ in volume regulation induced by Na+-coupled alanine uptake in single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney.. J Physiol, 510 ( Pt 1), 145-153.
- Two K(+)-selective conductances in single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney are regulated by ATP.. J Physiol, 500 ( Pt 3), 605-616.
- Regulation of an outwardly rectifying Cl- conductance in single proximal tubule cells isolated from frog kidney.. J Physiol, 498 ( Pt 2), 409-417.
- Activation of a Cl- conductance by SCN- in single proximal tubule cells isolated from Rana temporaria.. The Journal of Physiology, 486(3), 715-721.
- Volume-activated, gadolinium-sensitive whole-cell currents in single proximal cells of frog kidney. Pflügers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, 429(1), 98-106.
- Role of cell volume and protein kinase C in regulation of a Cl- conductance in single proximal tubule cells of Rana temporaria.. The Journal of Physiology, 480(1), 1-7.
- Volume regulatory responses in frog isolated proximal cells. Pfl�gers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, 428(1), 60-68.
Chapters
- Attendance Debate Part 1. Attendance and Performance: A New Landscape in the Era of Online Teaching, Methods in Physiology (pp. 315-342). Springer International Publishing
Conference proceedings papers
- Making innovation in education happen – How to meet student-led demand for technology and keep the faculty on board. EDULEARN18 Proceedings (pp 6311-6316). Palma, Spain, 2 July 2018 - 4 July 2018.
Website content
Preprints
- Promotion to professor in teaching and scholarship : my top tips. Physiology News Magazine, 126(Summer 2022), 43-43. View this article in WRRO
- Teaching interests
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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
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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
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- 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)