Dr Rachel Ranson

Assistant Professor

School: Geography and Natural Sciences

Her initial degree was in Human Biology obtained from Oxford Polytechnic. She then obtained a masters degree in Biological Electron Microscopy (UCW: Aberystwyth) and PhD in Biological Sciences (Neuroscience) from the University of Birmingham. She was subsequently employed in a number of research positions (Fellowship, Associate/Senior Associate) investigating spinal cord ageing, structure and function within the Department of Physiology, University of Birmingham (1993-1998) and the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University (1999-2005). In 2007 she joined Northumbria as a lecturer and progressed to senior lecturer in 2008.

Since being at Northumbria Dr Ranson has continued studies on aged spinal cord whilst expanding research interests to include studies of ageing on other CNS structures and peripheral neurons within terminal bowel regions. The overall focus of this research is to elucidate mechanisms that underpin age-related incontinence.

Dr Ranson contributes research-led teaching across a broad range of Biological/Biomedical modules and, in particular, specialises in molecular neuroscience and physiology/pathophysiology.

Campus Address

Room EBA501
Ellison Building, City Campus West

Email Rachel

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Decreases in mucosally‐evoked tachykinin signaling pathways can explain age‐related reductions in murine colonic motility patterns, Yeoman, M., Fidalgo, S., Hobby, I., Hafeez, A., Ranson, R., Saffrey, M., Patel, B. 1 Nov 2024, In: Neurogastroenterology & Motility
Changes in murine anorectum signaling across the life course, Fidalgo, S., Patel, B., Ranson, R., Saffrey, M., Yeoman, M. Oct 2018, In: Neurogastroenterology & Motility
Interstitial cell network volume is reduced in the terminal bowel of ageing mice, Gamage, P., Patel, B., Yeoman, M., Ranson, R., Saffrey, M. Oct 2018, In: Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
The TNF-α antagonist etanercept reverses age-related decreases in colonic SERT expression and faecal output in mice, Patel, B., Fidalgo, S., Wang, C., Parmar, L., Mandona, K., Panossian, A., Flint, M., Ranson, R., Saffrey, J., Yeoman, M. 15 Feb 2017, In: Scientific Reports
Neurogenic mechanisms in bladder and bowel ageing, Ranson, R., Saffrey, J. Apr 2015, In: Biogerontology
Changes in immunoreactive terminals containing serotonin, substance P, vesicular glutamate transporter 2 and corticotropin-releasing factor in the lumbosacral spinal cord of aged C56BL/6J male mice, Tsang, H., Zhang, M., Black, G., Saffrey, M., Ranson, R. 7 Jul 2014, British Society for Research on Ageing 64th Annual Meeting
Impaired colonic motility and reduction in tachykinin signalling in aged mouse, Patel, B., Patel, N., Fidalgo, S., Wang, C., Ranson, R., Saffrey, J., Yeoman, M. May 2014, In: Experimental Gerontology
Changes in the innervation of the mouse internal anal sphincter during aging, Wang, C., Houghton, M., Gamage, P., Collins, H., Patel, B., Yeoman, M., Ranson, R., Saffrey, J. 2013, In: Neurogastroenterology & Motility
Myenteric neuron numbers are maintained in aging mouse distal colon, Gamage, P., Ranson, R., Patel, B., Yeoman, M., Saffrey, J. Jul 2013, In: Neurogastroenterology & Motility
Age-related change in cholinergic and nitrergic signaling in the mouse rectum, Patel, B., Fidalgo, S., Ranson, R., Saffrey, J., Yeoman, M. Sep 2012, Joint International Neurogastroenterology and Motility Meeting