Genetics and Immunology
The Genetics and Immunology Department is led by Associate Professor Antonia Pritchard.
The Department consists of research groups focusing on cancer and schizophrenia, with teams located on Inverness Campus in a modern genetics laboratory. They share access to the top-class of biochemistry and proteomics laboratories of the Life Sciences Innovation Centre.
Cancer Research
Associate Professor Antonia Pritchard is a researcher into melanoma and related cancers, with specific interests in the genetic susceptibility to the disease (familial and sporadic), genomic changes within tumours and the immune response to cancer, particularly related to the genetic alterations.
Current research interests include all subtypes of melanoma: cutaneous (skin), acral (palm of the hands/soles of the feet/nail beds), uveal (eye) and mucosal, as well as associated cancers including mesothelioma and renal/bladder tumours.
Mesothelioma research is currently funded by Asthma and Lung UK
Current research projects
- Lead of studies within the national MyMelanoma project
- Identification of genetic mutation predisposing to melanoma in high density families
- Investigation of genetic variants predisposing to ocular melanoma
- Genomic investigation of melanomas (cutaneous, acral, ocular and mucosal)
- Investigation of tumour epitopes eliciting memory T-cell and B-cell responses
- Using cell free DNA for cancer diagnostics
Further information
Current team members
- Associate Professor Antonia Pritchard, Department Lead
- Dr Colette Mustard, Post-doctoral researcher
- Ms Connie MacKinnon, PhD student
Former team members
- Dr Chloe Rodgers, graduated PhD student
- Dr Sharon Hutchison
The Schizophrenia Research
The schizophrenia research group uses cellular and molecular techniques to investigate the causes of schizophrenia.
In particular, the team is investigating abnormal immune or cellular responses that might influence susceptibility to developing schizophrenia. The research group is comprised of laboratory-based researchers and a clinical team, overseen by a research board with international schizophrenia researchers.
Current research projects
- Use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) as a model for relevant differentiated cells
- Study of humoral immune response aberrations in schizophrenia
- Investigation of maternal factors associated with increased risk to schizophrenia
- A multi-omics approach to the dissection of schizophrenia susceptibility
- Impacts of rurality on living with schizophrenia
Current team members
- Dr Neil McNamara (Consultant psychiatrist, NHS Highland)
- Helen Urquhart (NHS Highland)
- Dr Nicole Brace (Post-doctoral researcher)
- Mrs Philomena Halford (Research technician and PhD student)
Former team members
- Professor Jun Wei (retired Chair of Genetics and Immunology)
- Dr Ryan McLean (Research Fellow)
- Elizabeth Buist (NHS Highland)
- Dr Ruth Whelan (graduated PhD student)
Contact us
Division of Biomedical Sciences
University of the Highlands and Islands
Life Sciences Innovation Centre
20A Inverness Campus
Inverness
IV2 5NA