Gemma Allcott
Lecturer in Biology
School of Science and the Environment
Biological Sciences
email: g.allcott@worc.ac.uk
Gemma has a background in biochemistry and microbiology and is passionate about all things bioscience, with broad interests in infectious disease, cancer biology and the molecular processes that underpin health and disease.
Gemma joined the University of Worcester in 2026 as a Lecturer in Biological Sciences after completing a PhD in Microbiology at Aston University. Her doctoral research investigated antimicrobial resistance in clinically important respiratory pathogens.
Prior to this, Gemma graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry at the University of Worcester. During this time, she carried out research exploring redox gene regulation in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, University of Worcester, 2022
- PhD Microbiology, Aston University, 2026 (pending)
Teaching
Gemma teaches across the Biological and Biomedical Science curricula. Her current teaching includes:
- BIOS0003 - Essential Skills for Scientists
- BIOL1001 - Cell Biology
- BIOL2001 - Project and Career Development
- BIOL2004 - Molecular and Cellular Biology
- BIOL3002 - Research Project
- BIOL3013 - Biochemistry of Cancer
- BIOL3023 - Haematology and Transfusion Science
Research
Gemma's research interests to date have explored antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and cancer biology. Her research has predominantly focused on multidrug-resistant bacterial respiratory pathogens, including genotype-phenotype profiling and the development of novel antimicrobial strategies. She has also investigated redox gene regulation in acute myeloid leukaemia and is keen to further develop her research in cancer biology.
Gemma is part of the Worcester Biomedical Research Group.
Membership of Professional Bodies
Associate Member of the Royal Society of Biology (AMRSB).
Recent Publications
- Allcott, G., Evans, J., Merry, T. and Cox, J.A.G. (2026) Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF)-dependent antimicrobial activity of Mānuka honey against respiratory pathogens cannot be explained by sugar and methylglyoxal alone. Microbiology, 172 (8).
- Hillier, J., Brunet, M.Y., Terry, R., Whittaker, J., Allcott, G., Cox, S.C., Esteban, P., Coles, S.J. and Wall, I. (2026) The redox-active CXXC motif of BCAT1 regulates extracellular vesicle biogenesis in U937 macrophages. Experimental Cell Research, 460(1), 115049.
- Baker, E., Allcott, G., Molloy, A. and Cox, J. (2024) Cystic fibrosis sputum media induces an overall loss of antibiotic susceptibility in Mycobacterium abscessus. npj Antimicrobials and Resistance, 2, 33.
- Baker, E.J., Allcott, G. and Cox, J.A.G. (2024) Polymicrobial infection in cystic fibrosis and future perspectives for improving Mycobacterium abscessus drug discovery. npj Antimicrobials and Resistance, 2, 34.
- Hillier, J., Allcott, G.J., Guest, L.A., Heaselgrave, W., Tonks, A., Conway, M.E., Cherry, A.L. and Coles, S.J. (2022) The BCAT1 CXXC motif provides protection against ROS in acute myeloid leukaemia cells. Antioxidants, 11(4), 683.