Dr Natalie Poulter PhD

• PhD in Plant Cell Biology (2009)
• BSc (Hons) in Biological Science with Study In Continental Europe (2005)

Dr Natalie Poulter undertook her undergraduate studies at the University of Birmingham obtaining a BSc in ‘Biological Sciences with Study in Continental Europe’. She spent her year abroad at the Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France where she completed modules in genetics, molecular cell biology and plant biotechnology.

Natalie’s PhD was in plant cell biology, investigating the role the cytoskeleton plays in the self-incompatibility response of poppy, under the supervision of Professor Noni Franklin-Tong (FRS) at the University of Birmingham. Natalie’s postdoctoral research saw her move from plants to mammalian cells where she has studied processes such as cell migration, endocytosis and cell signalling, with the unifying theme of the use of cutting-edge microscopy to study cell biology, which is something she thoroughly enjoys.

Upon joining the Birmingham Platelet Group, Natalie’s research turned to understanding the role that platelets play in thrombosis and haemostasis. Her work has centred on platelet surface receptors and their signalling pathways and how these influence thrombus formation, as well as the role the platelet cytoskeleton plays. More recently, she has become involved in translating her research findings into the development of novel therapeutics, which can be used to treat cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack and stroke.

In addition to research, Natalie has taken on roles to promote ‘Team Science’ within the department and further afield. She was the UoB Team Science Lead for COMPARE from 2017-2021 which promoted Team Science and collaboration between the Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham. This initiative was recognised as an excellent example of a Team Science training initiative by the Academy of Medical Sciences in their 2019 report ‘From innovation to implementation: team science two years on’. Natalie was also the Team Science Lead for the BHF Accelerator Award for Birmingham.

Natalie is also the postgraduate research (PGR) Lead for CVS, which involves coordinating and managing the research degree programmes within the department and organising enrichment events for the PGR students.

Biomedical Sciences

• BSc Y1 – Fundamentals of Life Science
• BSc Y1 – Personal, Academic and Professional Development
• BSc Y3 – Cardiovascular Diseases
• MSci/BSc - Final year research project supervisor
• BSc/MSci – Personal Academic Tutor

Medicine

• MBChB Y2 – Personal Interest Project

Postgraduate

• MRes Biomedical Research, Cardiovascular Science
• PhD and MRes project supervision

Dr Natalie Poulter enjoys being a postgraduate supervisor and developing her students as individuals and scientists. She has supervised 6 PhD students to completion and has served as the Deputy Coordinator for the TAPAS European Commission Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) European Joint Doctorate.

Natalie is keen to hear from anyone interested in doing a PhD within her welcoming and inclusive team. Natalie currently has openings for self-funded PhD students in the areas of:

• Receptor signalling, platelet activation and thrombus formation
• Development of novel anti-platelet therapies

If you are interesting in studying any of these subject areas please contact Natalie directly, or email the College Graduate School for any general doctoral research enquiries.

For a full list of available Doctoral Research opportunities, please visit our Doctoral Research programme listings.

The aim of Natalie’s research is to understand how platelets become activated and how this process can be modulated to control thrombus formation. This can be broken down into the discovery science aspect – understanding the cellular mechanisms involved in platelet activation and thrombus formation, and the translational element – applying this knowledge to the development of new anti-platelet therapeutics which can prevent thrombotic diseases.

A particular area of interest is how the spatial organisation of the cytoskeleton, as well as receptors on the platelet surface, relate to platelet signalling and activation, in single platelets as well as those in the more complex structure of the thrombus. The receptors of interest are ITAM-related receptors, predominantly the collagen receptor GPVI, but also other receptors such as the GPIb complex. The research involves the development and characterisation of new reagents (inhibitors, imaging probes) as well as the use of advanced microscopy, particularly super resolution microscopy techniques, to determine receptor clustering and thrombus architecture.

The translational element of the research involves identifying, characterising and developing new biologics that can inhibit platelet activation in response to physiological activators such as atherosclerotic plaque. The long-term goal is to develop new anti-platelet therapies which can be used to treat heart attack or stroke patients.

Other interests include investigating the effect on platelet function of rare genetic variants in platelet receptors (e.g. GPIb complex) and other platelet proteins. These variants have been found in patients with bleeding disorders, and understanding the functional effect may help to explain the cause of the bleeding.

• Member of The Platelet Society
• Member of the British Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis (BSHT)
• Member of British Society for Cell Biology
• Reviewer for numerous journals and funding bodies