Tim Aitman Research Group
Diagnosis of rare recessive disease by exome sequencing

Director: Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine
Section Head: Genomic Medicine
Research in a Nutshell
The Aitman lab’s research combines the use of classical genetics with modern cutting edge genome technologies such as whole-genome-sequencing and epigenome analysis to unravel the genetics of both common and rare human disorders. These include common syndromes of insulin resistance that predispose to diabetes and heart disease, and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus. The combined use of linkage analysis and microarray-based expression profiling led to identification of genes predisposing to insulin resistance (Cd36) systemic lupus (Fcgr3) and cardiac hypertrophy (Ogn). The Aitman lab also led the sequencing and the first evolutionary analysis of rat genomes, identifying artificial selection pressures underlying any disease phenotype.
In the clinical setting, the group has used next generation sequencing to detect the genetic basis of NHS patients with a range of rare diseases including familial hypercholesterolaemia, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, nephrotic syndrome, thoracic aortic aneurysm and motor neurone disease.
In collaboration with the CRUK Edinburgh Centre, the Genome Medicine Group is developing new methods for analysis of cell-free DNA, for diagnosis and stratification of cancer. Integrated use of high throughput sequencing and digital droplet PCR, for analysis of somatic mutations and epimutations specific to breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer, will aim to provide enhanced diagnostic molecular markers in early and late-stage cancer.
![]() People |
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Professor Tim Aitman | Group Leader |
Adam Jackson | Research Manager |
PA to Tim Aitman and Centre Administrator | |
John Thomson | Senior Postdoctoral Scientist |
Martyna Adamowicz | Senior Postdoctoral Scientist |
Sophie Marion de Procé |
Postdoctoral Scientist |
Matthew Owens | Postdoctoral Scientist |
Prasun Dutta | Postdoctoral Scientist |
Jenny Coe | Research Assistant |
Sophie Warlow | Research Assistant |
Lara Carey | Research Assistant |
Helen Thain | Research Nurse |
Contact
Collaborations
- Professors Siddharthan Chandran and Colin Smith, University of Edinburgh
- Professors Margaret Frame, Charlie Gourley and Dr Olga Oikonomidou, University of Edinburgh
- Professor Mary Porteous, NHS Lothian and University of Edinburgh
- Professor John Mullins, University of Edinburgh
- Professors Josef Penninger, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Vienna and Michael Schneider, Imperial College, London
- Professors Andrew Biankin, University of Glasgow and Zofia Miedzybrodzka, University of Aberdeen
- Professors Mark Arends and Simon Herrington, University of Edinburgh
- Professor Colin Semple, University of Edinburgh
Partners and Funders
- Medical Research Council (MRC)
- Scottish Chief Scientist Office (CSO)
- European Research Council (ERC)
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre
- AstraZeneca
- Illumina
- Biogen
Scientific Themes
Genetics, genomics and epigenetics of common and rare diseases
Technology Expertise
Whole genome, transcriptome and epigenome sequencing, genome informatics, biomarker discovery