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Staff Profile

Professor Nick Reynolds

Professor

  • Address: Translational and Clinical Research Institute (Dermatology)
    2rd Floor, William Leech Building
    Medical School
    Newcastle University
    NE2 4HH
Background

Current Positions

Professor of Dermatology and Director of Diagnostics, Newcastle University; and Honorary Consultant Dermatologist Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (from 2001)


Roles and Responsibilities 

2022-23 President, European Dermatology Forum (EDF) European Dermatology Forum (edf.one)

2021- Secretary General & Vice-President, EDF

2021- Lead A-Star Bioresource

2019- Member Steering Committee, UK-Irish Atopic eczema Systemic Therapy Register (A-STAR)

2019-21 - Chair, Steering Committee, British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register (BADBIR)

2018 - Board member European Dermatology Forum

2017- 2022 Board member International Eczema Council

2011 - 2019 - Chair, Research Committee, British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register (BADBIR)

2008 - 2015 - Board Member, European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR)

2013 - 2017 - Chair, UK Translational Research Network in Dermatology (UK TREND)

2013 - 2014 - President, European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR)

Qualifications

FRCP, Royal College of Physicians, London, 1999

MD University of London, 1995

MBBS University of London, 1983

BSc Hons (Intercalated) University of London, 1980


Post-graduate honours and awards

2023 - Dowling Oration, annual meeting British Association of Dermatologists, June 2023

2023 - re-selected NIHR Senior Investigator

2019 Rudi Cormane Lecture, European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR)

2019 Eugene M Farber Lecture, Society of Investigative Dermatology

2019 selected NIHR Senior Investigator

2016 Rosetrees Inter-Disciplinary Prize Award (runner up)

2013 Michael Fuell Memorial Lecture, Royal Society of Medicine, London

2008 George Findlay Lecture, Dermatology Society of South Africa

2001-2004 Wellcome Trust Research Leave Fellowship for Clinical Academics

1990-1992 Dowling Travelling Fellowship, British Association of Dermatologists

1990-1992 Josie Bradbury Travelling Fellowship, Psoriasis Association


Previous Positions

  • 2016-2019 Director Newcastle MRC/EPSRC Molecular Pathology Node 
  • 2005-2008 Head of School, Clinical and Laboratory Sciences, Newcastle University
  • 2001-2004 Wellcome Trust Research Leave Fellowship for Clinical Academics
  • 1995-2001 Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Consultant Dermatologist, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne 
  • 1993-1994 Senior Registrar, Department of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne
  • 1990-1992 Research Fellow and Lecturer, Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
  • 1987-1990 Registrar, Department of Dermatology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Avon


Google Scholar: Click here.

Research

Research Interests

Clinical and research interests are centred on inflammatory skin disease, multiple long term conditions, computational models, artificial intelligence and therapeutics. Co-lead of Skin and Oral Disease Theme, NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) - one of two BRC's nationwide with a named theme in Dermatology


On-going projects

• Translational and systems medicine research in dermatology and skin biology

• Precision medicine for psoriasis and atopic eczema; and mechanism of action of anti-psoriatic therapies: biologics (PSORT) and ultraviolet B (UVB, Rosetrees Interdisciplinary Prize Award)

• Clinical trials, molecular genetics and disease models of atopic eczema

• Biologics, UV and wound healing signalling responses

• AI and machine learning approaches to transcriptomic and population data

• Interplay between Multiple Long Term Conditions and Polypharmacy (AI-MULTIPLY and NIHR Newcastle Patient Safety Research Collaboration)


My research group is interested in applying novel approaches to understanding inflammatory skin disease (specifically psoriasis and atopic eczema) and their associated co-morbidities. We have a particular interest in gaining insights into disease mechanisms and the pathways involved in clearing psoriasis. l co-lead a workstream in PSORT focused on immune biomarkers in skin and blood, with a particular focus on transcriptomic analysis during the the early phases of biologic therapy.  


The Psoriasis Stratification to Optimise Relevant Therapy (PSORT) consortium is a unique partnership between five UK universities: Manchester, Newcastle, King’s College London, Queen Mary and Liverpool, 10 pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies and the Psoriasis Association and NHS partners representing patients.  This experimental medicine project has identified clinical, pharmacological, immune, and molecular biomarkers of clinical response of psoriasis to biologic therapy.


We also study the mechanism of action of anti-psoriatic therapies including UVB and biologics (supported by the Rosetrees Trust (co-lead with Dr Paolo Zuliani, School of Computing) and Newcastle's NIHR Biomedical Research Centre), as we think this may provide important insights into disease pathogenesis and lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets. We are interested in understanding the regulation of diverse cellular responses induced by UVR. These studies are supported by important collaborations with Dr Sophie Weatherhead, Dermatology RVI.

On-going studies focus on the induction of apoptosis, circadian rhythm, redox, mitochondrial and and atherosclerotic signalling by UVR in the clearance of psoriatic plaques.  


We have conducted important investigator-led clinical trials in atopic eczema (e.g. REF 2014 impact case) and have contributed to increased understanding of the molecular genetics of atopic eczema. We have set up a filaggrin-knockdown skin equivalent model of atopic eczema and identified key downstream targets of filaggrin including kallikrein 7 and cyclophilin A using a proteomic approach (with Stiefel/GSK).


Another area of focus is keratinocyte cell signalling, particularly in response to environmental insults such as ultraviolet radiation, wounding (in collaboration with Prof Jeremy Lakey, through a EPSRC/BBSRC Innovate UK project).


Between 2016 and 2019, I was Director of the Newcastle MRC Molecular Pathology Node, one of six units established across the UK to bring researchers, clinicians and industry together to develop molecular diagnostic tools for precision medicine. A key aim was to reinvigorate diagnostic research and development within the NHS, thereby enhancing training and building capacity. We established a Proximity research laboratory within the NHS pathology department to develop tissue biomarkers of clinical response and image these multi-dimentionally.  I also lead the stratified medicine theme of NIHR Newcastle In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative.


Our on-going collaborations with computer scientists and informaticians led to the recent award (2022) of a NIHR AiM collaboration grant for Multiple Long-Term Conditions - (AI-MULTIPLY)(which I co-lead with Professor Mike Barns, Queen Mary College, London and also involves Professor Paolo Missier, School of Computing). This consortium links the North East of England and East London, areas of social deprivation with contrasting ethnic diversity and is focused on understanding the interrelationship between Polypharmacy, Multiple Long-Term Conditions and Intersectional Factors. Additionally, Newcastle was recently awarded a NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC, led by Professor Andy Husband), commencing March 2023. Mike Barnes and I are leading a work-stream on Artificial intelligence and data science in Multiple Long-Term Conditions


Research Group Members:

  • Dr Graham Smith, PSORT post-doctoral systems biologist and bioinformatician
  • John Casement, informatics analyst, NIHR AiM AI-MULTIPLY
  • Dr Wasim Iqbal, informatics analyst, NIHR AiM AI-MULTIPLY
  • Dr Rebeen Hamad, post-doctoral Research Associate and informatics analyst, NIHR AiM AI-MULTIPLY (with Professor Paolo Missier)
  • Michelle Miller,  NIHR AiM AI-MULTIPLY, project manager
  • Dr Tom Ewen, A-Star bio project manager
  • Jenny Lumley, NIHR BRC Research Technician
  • Dr Henry Graham, MRC Clinical Training Fellow
  • Dr Amaani Hussain, NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow
  • Dr Ashley Rider, post-doctoral Research Associate
  • Surar Al-Hashimi PhD Student (with Dr Andreas Werner)
  • Dinika Paramalingam PhD Student (with Dr Paolo Zuliani)
  • Ayesha Sahar PSRC Research Assistant


Postgraduate Supervision

Yes


Funding


Teaching

We place a strong emphasis on undergraduate teaching and postgraduate training and we have an outstanding track record in training future leaders  in the field. We run an active weekly programme within dermatology (clinical and basic science journal clubs, research in progress meetings) and play a key role in the MRes in Medical and Molecular Biosciences. 


Many of our clinical trainees pursue higher research degrees funded through external nationally funded fellowships (Wellcome, MRC, Action Medical Research, British Skin foundation) and our PhD students have secured fellowships (European Commission) and post-doctoral positions (eg Settembre lab, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, Italy; Khavari lab, Stanford; Buck Institute, San Francisco; NIH, Bethesda; University of Chicago). 


Since 2006/2007, we have been one of a limited number of departments in England and Wales to be regularly awarded academic clinical fellowships in dermatology.  Currently, four out of the 14 academic clinical fellows from all medical specialties in the North East are in Dermatology.


Since 2008, three of our clinical trainees have gone on to secure prestigious Wellcome Intermediate Fellowships, one in Dundee and two in Newcastle. Two of these investigators were recently awarded Senior Wellcome Fellowships in Clinical Science (one in Dundee and one in Newcastle).


Postgraduate Student Supervision - Current primary supervisor


  • Rachel Roberts (PhD)
  • Dr Guarav Dhawan (MD)
  • (PhD)
  • Henry Grantham (PhD)


Postgraduate Student Supervision - Completed

  • Ashley Rider (PhD), 2023*
  • Martina Elias (PhD), 2017*
  • Emma Woodward PhD, 2017*
  • Keith Wu (PhD), 2015*
  • Laura Hudson PhD, 2014*
  • Aparna Sinha MD, 2014*
  • Darren Johnson PhD, 2013*
  • Nicola Fullard PhD, 2013
  • Alison Forrester PhD, 2012*
  • Sophie Weatherhead PhD, 2011*
  • Shanji Anthony MPhil, 2009*
  • Sarah Milner PhD, 2009*
  • Baba Taal PhD, 2009*
  • Sara Brown MD with commendation, 2008
  • Muzz Haniffa PhD, 2008
  • Ross Flockhart PhD, 2007*
  • Simon Meggitt MD with distinction, 2006*
  • Philip Hampton PhD, 2006*
  • Sandy McBride MD with commendation, 2002*
  • Wael Al-Daraji MD, 2002*
  • Paula Fearon PhD, 2002*

*Primary supervisor 

NIHR Clinical Academic Training - Current

  • Amaani Hussain, Academic Clinical Fellow


RECENT INVITED LECTURES AT NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES


2023

  • 32nd CONGRESS, EADV, Big Data and Dermatology, What patient registries have taught us, October 2023


  • Finnish Dermatology Society Meeting Towards precision medicine for inflammatory skin disease, September 2023


  • Dowling Oration, annual meeting British Association of Dermatologists, June 2023


  • NIHR Aim consortium meeting, Using artificial intelligence (AI) to characterise the dynamic inter-relationships between multiple long-term conditions and polypharmacy across diverse UK populations and inform health care pathways, May 2023 


2022

  • aEuroderm Excellence Virtual Conference: Introduction about the Advanced Euroderm Excellence and the European Dermatology Forum. Virtual Meeting. January 2022


  • Inaugural UK MLTC Symposium. Virtual Meeting. MLTC, polypharmacy, and artificial intelligence: introducing AI MULTIPLY Using artificial intelligence (AI) to characterise the dynamic inter-relationships between multiple long-term conditions and polypharmacy across diverse UK populations and inform health care pathways. March 2022


  • Joint meeting British Association of Dermatologists and the Royal College of Physicians. Liverpool. The Importance of Dermatology Research and its Impact on Patient Care. May 2022


  • Janssen GRAPPA UK Workshop Meeting. Leeds Patient management in PsO and PsA. March 2022


  • International Psoriasis Council, Society of Investigative Dermatology. Portland, USA May 2022 Real -World Data and Psoriasis: World Data and Psoriasis: World Data and Psoriasis: World Data and Psoriasis. A European Perspective


  • Mass General Dermatology/Harvard Grand Rounds Lecture. Computational modelling, systems biology and AI for psoriasis: future perspectives. Virtual. July 2022 


2021

  • International Psoriasis Council: Global Webinar Series: What registries have taught us on stratification in treatment


  • Diagnostic North East, Virtual Conference: closing remarks. Virtual Meeting


  • 30th CONGRESS, EADV VIRTUAL: The promise of personalized medicine;


  • ESDR International Eczema Council: chair Human Models of Atopic Dermatitis symposium and introductory remarks. Virtual Meeting


  • BSID: Developments in precision medicine: insights from the PSORT programme


  • International Psoriasis Council, Global Webinar Series, What registries have taught us on stratification in treatment. Virtual Meeting


  • North of England Dermatological Society and Scottish Dermatological Society meeting: Precision medicine in dermatology – hype or reality?; Virtual Meeting


  • IMID bio-UK: PSORT Insights from analyses across skin and blood; Virtual Meeting


  • NIHR IMID Bioresource: PSORT Towards scalable biomarkers and precision medicine. Virtual Meeting

2020

  • EAACI Digital Conference: “Human and computational models of immune mediated inflammatory skin disease:challenges, insights and perspectives”


  • 29th Congress, EADV Virtual: “Biologics in dermatology – Present and future – The promise of personalised medicine”


  • 35th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Psoriasis Research “BADBIR and PSORT programs: Personalised medicine and Biomarkers”


2019

  • Scottish Dermatological Society: “Therapies and therapeutic approaches for atopic eczema”


  • BAD StR Training Event, London: "What’s new in atopic dermatitis?"


  • EADV 2019 Meeting, Madrid, Spain, Training and Educational Forum: “Atopic dermatitis: Pathophysiology”



  • Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) Annual Meeting and Trainee Symposium; Paris, France: "Towards precision medicine in psoriasis: update from BADBIR and PSORT programs"


  • British Photodermatology Group, BAD Annual Meeting, Liverpool: "Phototherapy for atopic eczema"


  • World Congress in Dermatology, Milan, Italy: "Therapeutic stratification of monoclonal antibodies for psoriasis"


  • Society of Investigative Dermatology, Chicago, USA: Eugene M Farber Lecture: "Towards precision therapeutics: a systems approach to understanding psoriasis plaque resolution and endotype analysis"

2018

  • Psoriasis Association, 50th Anniversary; Psoriasis: translating innovation into personalised care: “Systems biology and computational modelling for psoriasis: future perspectives”


  • Euroderm Excellence, Nice: Atopic eczema The current treatment landscape


  • EADV, Paris; Training and Educational Forum: Atopic dermatitis: Epidemiology and Pathophysiology


  • ESDR-EADV Summer Research Course, Naples: Transcriptomic analysis of psoriasis following UVB and biologic therapy


  • Bionow Precision Medicine Conference, Leeds: Taking biomarker discovery through to implementation


  • Dubai Academy of Dermatology Meeting: Navigating the psoriasis armamentarium in 2018, an holistic approach


  • Dubai Academy of Dermatology Meeting: P4 medicine for psoriasis and inflammatory skin disease

2017

  • Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (IMID) Summit: "Using real world evidence to inform best-practice: psoriasis"


  • Euroderm: "Psoriasis, navigating the treatment armamentarium"


  • European Association for Dermato-Venereology (EADV) annual meeting: "Atopic eczema clinical features and treatments"

2016

  • RCP Advanced Medicine Course, Abu Dhabi: Translation of Clinical Research into Personalised Medicine


  • British Society for Rheumatology, Glasgow: “Newer therapeutic agents for psoriasis: a dermatological perspective


  • Psoriasis Association AGM, Northampton: “Psoriasis Stratification to Optimise Relevant Therapy (PSORT)”.


  • European Association for Dermato-Venereology (EADV) Fostering Course, Rotterdam, The Netherlands: “How to run a clinical trial”.


  • British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) Annual meeting, Birmingham Derm School: Translational Dermatology

2015

  • BSID, Southampton, UK: UK TREND - an opportunity for research


  • World Congress of Dermatology, Vancouver, Canada: A systems biology approach to understanding the mechanism of action of UVB phototherapy in psoriasis


  • World Congress of Dermatology, Vancouver, Canada: Systems dermatology: insights into epidermal remodeling in psoriasis


  • BAD Annual Meeting, Manchester, UK: Research across the academic industrial interface


  • BAD Annual Meeting, Manchester, UK: Engaging with UK Translational Research Network in Dermatology


  • European Dermatoepidemiology Network, ESDR, Rotterdam, Netherlands: Personalised Medicine for Skin Diseases


  • EADV Annual Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark: A critical appraisal of biologics for psoriasis


  • Real World Evidence Conference (Janssen), London, UK: BADBIR and PSORT: a pharmacovigilance registry leading onto a stratified medicine initiative


  • ‘Allergy & the Skin’ Study Day, London, UK How should we manage patients with difficult atopic eczema

2014

  • EADV Annual Meeting, Amsterdam, The Netherlands: “Personalised medicine for inflammatory skin disease”


  • BAD Annual Meeting, Glasgow, UK: “Physiology and importance of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis”


  • ESDR/EADV Summer Research School, Helsinki, Finland: “Cutaneous transcriptomics”


  • RCP of Edinburgh Symposium on Dermatology: “How should we manage patients with difficult eczema?”


  • KSID, Seoul, South Korea: “Mechanistic insight into epidermal remodelling in psoriasis: a systems biology approach”


2013

  • Leo Research Foundation Prize Award Ceremony, Copenhagen, Denmark: “The dynamic platform of translational research: from bench to bedside and back again”


  • ESDR Future Leaders Academy, Florence, Italy, A journey through Translation



  • EADV meeting, Istanbul: “Keratinocyte apoptosis in remodeling and clearance of psoriatic plaques” and “Efficacy of phototherapy in childhood and adult atopic eczema”


  • BAD Annual Meeting, Liverpool: “Future psoriasis therapy beyond TNF-a blockade” and “Systemic treatment for severe adult atopic dermatitis”


  • Psoriasis International Network Congress, Paris: “Resistant palmoplantar pustulosis” and “The impact and management of psoriasis in pregnancy”


  • Irish Association of Dermatologists Meeting, Belfast


  • RSM Michael Fuell Memorial Lecture, London: “Systems biology in dermatology: mechanistic insight into epidermal remodelling in psoriasis”



Publications