Calum SUTHERLAND

Prof., Dundee Diabetes Research Center, Ninewells Medical School of Dundee

Graduated from the University of St Andrews, with BSc hons in Biochemistry with Microbiology, before moving to London in 1985 to work with Glaxo on mechanisms of heart disease. Returned to Scotland in 1991 to the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit in Dundee and obtained a PhD under the supervision of Professor Sir Philip Cohen FRS, FRSE, analysing protein kinase signalling pathways involved in insulin and growth factor action. PhD work established the mechanism of regulation of the diabetes and Alzheimer’s associated protein, GSK3, as well as characterising mechanisms of regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (rate controlling step of dopamine synthesis) and ribosomal S6 protein (control of protein synthesis).

In 1994 obtained an American Diabetes Association Mentor-based Fellowship to spend 3 years in the lab of Professor Daryl K Granner, Vanderbilt University Nashville USA. During this time made the first connection between PI 3-kinase signalling and gene regulation, characterising the genes of the liver that are abnormally regulated in diabetes.

In 1998 obtained a Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellowship to return to the School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, establishing an independent group studying the insulin regulation of the genes involved in glucose production.

In 2003 moved to Ninewells Medical School in Dundee to work more closely with diabetologists and was awarded the prestigious 5-year Diabetes UK Senior Research Fellowship (only one of which is held at any time). This work included projects studying insulin action in the brain and led to the identification of a new Alzheimer’s associated protein modification that is regulated by insulin.

Half of research group now investigates the molecular links between metabolic disease and dementia. Published more than 50 peer reviewed papers and 10 reviews/book chapters. Currently, Deputy Director of the Dundee Diabetes Research Centre and a Reader in Neuroendocrinology, leading a research team comprising 12 staff.