Newcastle University

Haematology

The Institute of Cellular Medicine stem cell transplantation research group has a major translational research goal to improve the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation for haematological malignancy and other disorders.  Our basic science programme has two strands examining the genetic and cellular basis of graft versus host immunity.  The main translational aims are to learn new ways to predict graft versus host immunity and to understand how to manipulate the cellular responses of the graft against the host.

Anne Dickinson, Professor of Marrow Transplant Biology and Scientific Director of Stem Cell Unit, leads research into the prediction of graft versus host responses using non-HLA immunogenetics and an in vitro model of human graft versus host disease. More recent projects also include the identification and verification of molecular and cellular biomarkers of graft versus host disease.  Her research is funded by local and national leukaemia research funds and she currently co-ordinates two FP6 European Commission grants (StemDiagnostics and Trans-Net.

Dr Wang, Senior Research Associate, works on cellular interactions of graft versus host responses including recent studies on modulation by regulatory T cells, mesenchynal stromal cells and extracorporeal phototherapy.  Her work is funded by the Tyneside Leukaemia Research Association.

Dr Collin, Senior Lecturer, is a transplant physician with a basic science interest in the ontogeny and biology of antigen presenting cells, particularly the role of recipient antigen presenting cells in initiation of the graft versus host response.  His research has two complementary strands, one using transplantation to define the ontogeny and turnover of human antigen presenting cells, and the second using this knowledge to try to develop new strategies to control graft versus host responses.  His work is funded by Leukaemia Research, Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.