Functional Genetics and Development
Staff list
Head of Division:
Professor Helen Sang
Personal Chair of Vertebrate Molecular Development

Contact details
- Work: +44 (0)131 651 9171
- Email: helen.sang@roslin.ed.ac.uk
- Web: Staff Profile
Applications of transgenesis in the chick, particularly in study of the development of the chick embryo and resistance to disease.
Deputy Head of Division
Dr Denis Headon
Group Leader/Senior Research Fellow

Contact details
Group Leaders / Career Track Fellows
Name (sorted in ascending order) | Role | Research Interests |
---|---|---|
Prof David Argyle | William Dick Chair of Veterinary Clinical Studies |
Mechanistic studies into canine disease, specifically the focus of my research is comparative cancer biology. This involves studies on the stem cell basis of cancer through to the translation of new therapeutics into clinical development. |
Dr Kenneth Baillie | Snr. Clinical Research Fellow in Anaesthesia & Critical Care |
Translational genomics in critical care medicine. |
Dr Adam Balic | Roslin Research Fellow |
Defining the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin lymphoid organ development in chickens. Developing and exploiting novel gene transfer and editing technologies in order to visualise and manipulate specific chicken immune cell populations. |
Dr Tom Burdon | Group Leader/Senior Research Fellow |
Regulation of growth and differentiation of embryo derived stem cells. |
Dr Mike Clinton | Group Leader/Senior Research Fellow |
Molecular control of sex determination and gonadal development. Mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphisms in birds. Micro-RNA regulation of cell and tissue differentiation. |
Dr David Collie | Group Leader/Reader |
Pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying lung disease. |
Dr Megan Davey | Group Leader |
Our current projects include:
|
Dr Xavier Donadeu | Reader |
I lead a research group working in the areas of Stem Cell biology and Reproductive Biology in large animal species. We are interested in these species both from a veterinary perspective and as disease models. Work in my laboratory spans from hypothesis-led studies to understand basic cell, organ and whole animal biology and physiology, all the way through to translational studies with industry to develop novel molecular diagnostics and cell-based therapies to address specific key challenges faced by the livestock (cattle) industry and companion animal sectors. My laboratory is best known for pioneering work on 1) the use of miRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers for cattle, and 2) the generation and application of stem cells, particularly induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), in farm species (horse, cattle, pigs). |
Prof Colin Farquharson | Personal Chair of Skeletal Biology |
Identification of the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for bone and cartilage growth, development and mineralisation in health and disease. |
Dr Denis Headon | Group Leader/Senior Research Fellow |
Development, maintenance and repair of the skin and its appendages. |
Professor Ian Jackson | Programme Leader/ Professorial Fellow |
Mouse models of human and animal disease |
Dr Vicky MacRae | Reader |
Investigating new mechanisms of bone formation and vascular calcification. |
Dr Mike McGrew | Senior Lecturer |
Biobanking and genome editing of avian germ cells
|
Dr Gerry McLachlan | Group Leader/Senior Research Fellow |
Preclinical studies to evaluate safety and efficacy of vectors for respiratory gene/miRNA delivery in mice & sheep. Sheep as a large animal model for respiratory disease. |
Professor Simone Meddle | Personal Chair of Behavioural Neuroendocrinology |
Adaptations of the neuroendocrine system: hormonal and neural regulation of reproduction and behaviour. Animal Welfare: Neurobiology of positive welfare and behaviour. |
Dr Joe Rainger | Roslin Research Fellow | |
Dr Douglas Vernimmen | Chancellors Fellow/Research Fellow |
Our collaborative research with Prof K Kranc is to address the precise functions of epigenetic regulators in myeloid leukaemia using in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo models. Together with additional screening in patients for mutations in this gene, this research will enable us to develop new approaches to treat leukaemia. |
Professor Bruce Whitelaw | Genus Personal Chair of Animal Biotechnology |
Development of genetically engineered livestock for biomedical and agricultural applications. |
Dr Thomas Wishart | Group Leader |
Elucidating the mechanisms underpinning neuronal development, stability and degeneration in health and disease. |
Clinical Research Associates
Name (sorted in ascending order) | Role | Research Interests |
---|---|---|
Dr Gurå Therese Bergkvist | Director Student Recruitment and Admissions & Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy |
My research interests are in molecular pathways that become dysregulated in cancer and dysregulation of osteoclasts in bone. I have a particluar interest in oral tumours in cats, and how they invade the bone of the mandible as well as feline tooth resorption. Osteoclasts are my favourite cell, so anything related to osteoclasts and I am interested! |
Prof Brendan Corcoran | Personal Chair of Veterinary Cardiopulmonary Medicine |
Mitral valve disease in dogs, tissue engineered solutions to sourcing valve tissue for research. |
Dr Adam Gow | Head of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine |
In vitro production of functional canine hepatocytes from stem cell sources. Canine liver disease and pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. Performance of Pet-side testing |
Dr John Keen | Reader |
The equine cardiovascular system and its relationship to endocrinological disorders such as equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. |
Mrs Yolanda Martinez Pereira | Senior Lecturer in Cardiopulmonary Medicine |
Clinical biomarkers of congestive heart failure in canine patients Novel diagnostic tools in canine mesothelioma Use of 4-D echocardiography in the dog |
Prof Bruce McGorum | Personal Chair of Equine Medicine |
Equine internal medical disorders, particularly equine respiratory diseases and grass sickness. |
Dr Sarah Taylor | Senior Lecture in Equine Orthopeadics |
Advanced imaging of equine fractures miRNAs and osteoarthritis miRNAs and SNPs in equine stress fractures
|
Dr Erin Williams | Senior Lecturer in Applied Veterinary Anatomy |
Associate Scientists
Name (sorted in ascending order) | Role | Research Interests |
---|---|---|
Dr Thalia Blacking | Lecturer in Applied Vet Physiology | |
Prof Eddie Clutton | Personal Chair of Veterinary Anaesthesiology | |
Dr Joe Rainger | Roslin Research Fellow |