Dr Natalie Ferry
School of Science, Engineering & Environment
Current positions
Senior Lecturer
Biography
My academic journey began with a degree in Plant Science at the University of Durham, where a growing fascination with agricultural innovation led me to explore the potential—and controversy—of Genetically Modified (GM) crops. This passion shaped my PhD research at the University of Newcastle, where I investigated the environmental impacts of GM agriculture, laying the foundation for a career at the intersection of sustainability, biotechnology, and plant science.
I spent six formative years as a postdoctoral scientist at Newcastle University, initially working with Prof. Harry Gilbert on the discovery and characterization of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes, and later with Prof. Angharad Gatehouse, delving into the molecular mechanisms underlying plant–insect interactions.
In 2010, I joined the University of Salford as a Lecturer in Biotechnology. My research now focuses on uncovering novel plant cell wall-degrading enzymes from overlooked and extreme environments, alongside work on GM crop technologies and plant-derived peptides with potential applications in agriculture and beyond.
Areas of Research
Advancing the Green Bioeconomy Through Nature-Inspired Innovation
At the forefront of sustainability and agricultural biotechnology, our research explores the untapped potential of plant cell wall degradation to create next-generation, bio-based materials.
We envision a future where renewable biomaterials—derived from plant biomass—replace fossil-based resources and fuel a truly circular, green bioeconomy. The sugars and monomers embedded in plant cell wall polymers—cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin—hold immense promise as feedstocks for sustainable fuels, bioplastics, and high-value industrial products.
Over the past decade, the Ferry Lab has tapped into nature’s hidden enzyme libraries by exploring underexamined ecosystems, including the microbiomes of invertebrate digestive tracts. We’ve identified and cloned more than 2,500 biomass-degrading enzymes, unlocking novel pathways for plant polymer breakdown. Our current focus lies in the recombinant expression, activity profiling, and commercial application of a targeted suite of hemicellulose-degrading enzymes.
Our mission is simple but bold: to harness the power of biology to build a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient world.
Areas of Supervision
I welcome applications for research into CAZymes, applications of mucins, biomaterials and novel enzymes.
As Head of Biomedicine at the University of Salford, I lead academic strategy and drive innovation across a vibrant, multidisciplinary subject area at the forefront of health and life sciences.
My teaching contributions span our flagship MSc programmes in Biotechnology, Drug Design and Discovery, and Biomedical Science, grounded in a research career immersed in cutting-edge biotechnology. I lead key postgraduate modules—including Green Biotechnology and Molecular Biology & Proteomics—where I connect students with emerging technologies and real-world applications that define the future of bioscience.
Beyond subject expertise, I’m passionate about shaping confident, research-ready scientists. Through modules such as Postgraduate Scholarship Skills, Research Design and Delivery, and Professional Practice, I help students bridge the gap between academic inquiry and real-world impact.
I supervise a diverse portfolio of research projects at both undergraduate (Level 6) and postgraduate (Level 7) levels. These projects focus on the expression and biochemical characterisation of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes, with an emphasis on their commercial potential in sustainable industries, alongside investigations into the environmental impacts of microplastics. MSc projects often explore recombinant protein production and metagenomic library screening, offering students hands-on experience in high-impact, translational bioscience.
Qualifications
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PgCert Academic Practice
2013 - 2014 -
PhD
2000 - 2004
Recognitions
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IBMS Educational Institute of the Year
Publications
- Characterisation of a Novel Acetyl Xylan Esterase (BaAXE) Screened from the Gut Microbiota of the Common Black Slug (Arion ater)
- Metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiome of the common black slug Arion ater in search of novel lignocellulose degrading enzymes
- Fungal microbiomes are determined by host phylogeny and exhibit widespread associations with the bacterial microbiome
- Characterization of sialic acid affinity of the binding domain of mistletoe lectin isoform one
- Bacterial community profiling and identification of bacteria with lignin-degrading potential in different gut segments of African palm weevil larvae ( Rhynchophorus phoenicis )