Leanne obtained a first class BSc (Dual Honours) in Physiology & Pharmacology from the University of Sheffield in 1999 and continued to study an MRes (MPhil) in Immunology & oncology at the University of Birmingham (2000). She stayed at the University of Birmingham to do a PhD in Immunology under the supervision of Professor John Gordon and Dr Gillian Grafton.

Following her interests in ion channels in immune cells, Leanne began a post-doctoral position in the lab of Professor Annmarie Surprenant at the University of Sheffield (2003-2006) investigating purinergic ion channels. A further post-doctoral position at the University of Sydney with Professor James Wiley (2007-2010) led to independence as a research fellow at the University of Sydney (2010-2013) followed by a prestigious Vice Chancellor’s research fellowship at RMIT University in Melbourne (2013-2015). Leanne joined UEA as a Lecturer in Pharmacology in 2015 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020. 

I am interested in the roles ion channels play in the regulation of immune cell signalling. My focus is on the purinergic P2X channel family which are activated by extracellular ATP, in particular P2X7 and P2X4. These ion channels have been implicated in inflammatory disorders, chronic pain and cancer and are emerging therapeutic targets. 

Current projects involve studying natural products for effect on P2X channels including compounds from traditional chinese medicines and spider venom. We are investigating the role of P2X receptors on microglia and macrophages. We have recently developed a novel on-cell spectroscopy technique for investigating drug binding interactions on P2X ion channels and we are using this in drug design and receptor pharmacology.  

Ion channels

Drug discovery screening assays

Electrophysiology

On-cell saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy

Director of Research for School of Chemistry, Pharmacy & Pharmacology

Theme lead for Pharmacology & Biological Chemistry 

Current members of my group:

Sarah Bouyabs

Kieran Littolff

Kainan Shaw

Khushali Brahmbhatt