Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Teaching
I organise two modules in the Biological Sciences degree course; BIO-5009A Genetics and BIO-5023Y Data Science for Biologists.
I also teach BIO-4008Y Skills for Biologists, BIO-4018A Molecular Biology and Genetics, BIO-5013A Field Ecology, BIO 5015B Microbiology, BIO-6013A Genomics and BIO-6019Y Research Projects.
I have a passion for applied data skills, maths and statistics in the life sciences, please see my personal webpage for information on my projects and collaborations, or feel free to contact me directly.
Research Interests
I am a molecular biologist interested in developing and testing new genetic technologies to control pest insect species such as mosquitoes.
The requirement to develop new techniques for insect control that minimize negative environmental impacts has never been more pressing. Genetic pest management (GPM) involves releasing modified versions of a pest species to mate with wild pests in the target area. It has potential for a wide range of applications in public health, agriculture and conservation.
I have worked on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in a range of insect pest species, developing and testing new forms of gene drives, a type of genetic engineering technique that modifies genes so that they don't follow the typical rules of heredity.
I also research the effects of gut microbes on health and reproduction in fruitflies (Drosophila and medfly), exploring these effects in terms of the evolutionary associations between hosts and their symbionts.
Administrative Duties
Student Partnership Officer
Chair of the Extenuating Circumstances Panel
Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body Statistician
Exam Board Committee member
Teaching Committee member
Module organiser: BIO-5023Y, BIO-5009A
External Pages
For my full list of publications, please see my scholar page.
For more on my research & teaching, please see my personal page.
Career
- Associate Professor (2022 - present)
- Lecturer in Biological Sciences (2019 - 2022)
- Project coordinator at the Pirbright Institute (2016 - 2019)
- Researcher Co-I, UEA (2012 - 2015)
- PhD, UEA
- BSc, Durham University
Network
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Colonisation, domestication and population control in pest insects
Chapman, T., Hutchings, M., Leftwich, P. & Barber, K.
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
1/10/12 → 30/09/15
Project: Research
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A multiplexed, confinable CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive propagates in caged Aedes aegypti populations
Anderson, M. A. E., Gonzalez, E., Edgington, M. P., Ang, J. X. D., Purusothaman, D-K., Shackleford, L., Nevard, K., Verkuijl, S. A. N., Harvey-Samuel, T., Leftwich, P. T., Esvelt, K. & Alphey, L., 12 Aug 2022, biorxiv.Research output: Working paper › Preprint
Open Access -
Characterisation of the symbionts in the Mediterranean fruit fly gut
Darrington, M., Leftwich, P. T., Holmes, N. A., Friend, L. A., Clarke, N. V. E., Worsley, S. F., Margaritopolous, J. T., Hogenhout, S. A., Hutchings, M. I. & Chapman, T., 21 Apr 2022, In: Microbial Genomics. 8, 4, 000801.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)3 Downloads (Pure) -
Drosophila Genetics Practicals - Independent Assortment, Sex Linked inheritance, Two/Three-point linkage
Leftwich, P. T., 6 Dec 2022, Zenodo.Research output: Other contribution
Open Access -
Manipulating insect sex determination pathways for genetic pest management: Opportunities and challenges
Siddall, A., Harvey-Samuel, T., Chapman, T. & Leftwich, P. T., 28 Jun 2022, In: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 10, 867851.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile12 Downloads (Pure) -
Toward a CRISPR-Cas9-based gene drive in the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella
Xu, X., Harvey-Samuel, T., Siddiqui, H. A., Ang, J. X. D., Anderson, M. E., Reitmayer, C. M., Lovett, E., Leftwich, P. T., You, M. & Alphey, L., Apr 2022, In: The CRISPR Journal. 5, 2, p. 224-236 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Citations (Scopus)19 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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Gut microbiomes and reproductive isolation in Drosophila.
Leftwich, P. (Creator), Clarke, N. (Creator), Hutchings, M. (Creator) & Chapman, T. (Creator), Figshare, 7 Nov 2017
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5469316.v3
Dataset
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Data from: Adaptation to divergent larval diets in the medfly, Ceratitis capitata
Leftwich, P. (Creator), Nash, W. (Creator), Friend, L. (Creator) & Chapman, T. (Creator), Dryad data repository, 18 Nov 2016
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.b1410
Dataset
Prizes
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Most Inspiring and Creative Teaching Award (Shortlisted Nominee)
Leftwich, Philip (Recipient), 22 Jun 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Physalia Courses Consultant
Philip Leftwich (Presenter)
1 Sep 2022 → 5 Sep 2022Activity: Other activity types › Other
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Open University Validation Partnerships Panel Member
Philip Leftwich (Presenter)
24 May 2022Activity: Other activity types › Other
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Consultant for Benchling R&D
Philip Leftwich (Consultant)
28 Sep 2020 → 31 Mar 2021Activity: Consultancy
Press/Media
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Foundations to lay when teaching computational and data skills
7/07/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Online and blended learning tools to teach data science
23/03/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Benchling announces launch of Benchling for Education (Feb 2021)
25/02/21 → 26/02/21
20 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Genetically modified flies 'could save crops'
13/08/14
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media