Linda is currently a Professor in Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) since 2007. She graduated from the University of Stirling with a degree in Biochemistry then went on to do a PhD in Medicine with the University of Glasgow at the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research.

Her interest in Virology began with her PhD investigating mechanisms of disease progression in models for papillomavirus induced cancers. Following from this, her first postdoctoral position was within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Glasgow where she worked on veterinary virology for the next 12 years before moving to GCU.

Her main interest is in 1) viral zoonotic disease and 2) moving a technology called Xenotransplantation to the clinic.  The first is an interest in viruses which cross over in to humans, and in the UK, she works with the Food Standards Agency with the main interest in preventing the transmission of food borne viral disease.  The second involves the safety aspect of preventing infection when using animal organs to treat human disease (xenotransplantation and the subject of todays seminar).  In particular, her safety work has been paramount in establishing data to support clinical work in particular in both skin and cell therapies.  As one of only two main groups currently working in the area of xenotransplantation safety globally, she consults with the World Health Organisation in Geneva to inform policy and regulations on the global application of xenotransplantation in member states.   As part of this working group, and via research she has published documents which are cited as guidance by the FDA and WHO for those who wish to progress to clinical trial.  Her goal is to demonstrate the validity of this technology as a treatment and to assist in moving to the clinic in order for patients to benefit.  Of paramount importance is their safety and she continues to consult and carry out contract research to demonstrate the safety of animal derived products for use in human beings.

 For this field to achieve clinical relevance after all of her invested years of research would be the ultimate success.  Currently she is working alongside industry in the USA to develop new treatments for patients with burns and nerve damage.  Indeed, her research has been award winning at international conferences and she continues to strive to produce data that can aid progression of xenotransplantation to the clinic. 

Linda, talking to the meeting from Scotland; Gave a fascinating presentation on Xenotransplantation. From pigs to humans.