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Andrew Macdonald

Andrew Macdonald

Profile

After post-doctoral work at the MRC Protein Phosphorlyation Unit in Dundee, I was awarded a five-year RCUK-funded independent Fellowship to establish my independent research career in Leeds in 2016. In 2011 I achieved tenure and in 2013 I was promoted to Associate Professor. From 2018-2019 I served as Director of Research and Innovation for the School and in 2020 I was appointed as Head of School for the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology

Responsibilities

  • Head of School

Research interests

Studies of small DNA tumour viruses that cause disease in humans.

Members of the  Papillomavirus and Polyomavirus families cause a number of devastating diseases in humans including cancers, kidney transplant failure and brain disorders. Current therapeutic strategies to treat these viruses are lacking. 

We use a multi-disciplinary approach to understand the fundamental biology of these viruses by addressing how they get into cells; which pathways they take to get to the nucleus in order to replicate and how they usurp cellular factors to cause pathogenesis. Importantly, we use these viruses as tools to identify and characterise host factors that drive cancer. A key element of our studies is the use of primary cell culture models of infection. This ensures that data we generate in our studies is physiologically relevant. Finally, we have substantial links with clinical colleagues and this allows us to obtain samples from patients to validate our in vitro findings. 

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • BSc, Leeds; PhD 2001, Leeds

Professional memberships

  • Microbiology Society

Student education

Potential undergraduate and post-graduate projects
We are keen to recruit exceptional individuals and undergraduate and post-graduate level to join our multi-disciplinary team of researchers. We are a well-funded laboratory, based in refurbished laboratory space with access to state of the art molecular and cellular facilities.  We have a thriving mix of post-doctoral and graduate scientists and we publish in high impact peer reviewed journals.

Undergraduate project topics:

  • Human papillomaviruses and their links to cancer
  • Studying polyomavirus lifecycle and pathogenesis
  • Host factors required for virus lifecycles
  • Immune evasion strategies of viruses

Postgraduate studentship areas:

  • Human papillomaviruses and their links to cancer
  • Studying polyomavirus lifecycle and pathogenesis
  • Host factors required for virus lifecycles
  • Immune evasion strategies of viruses

See also:

Academic roles:

Head of School

Committees:

 

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>