Professor Martin Collinson

Professor Martin Collinson
Professor Martin Collinson
Professor Martin Collinson

BA Natural Sciences (Cantab. 1991), MA (Cantab. 1994), PhD (Edinburgh 1996)

Personal Chair

About
Email Address
m.collinson@abdn.ac.uk
Office Address

Room 4.37, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD

School/Department
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition

Biography

J. Martin Collinson

Graduated in Natural Sciences (Genetics) from Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, in 1991. Obtained a PhD at the University of Edinburgh, working in the MRC Human Genetics Unit studying the roles of homeobox gene family members (Msx genes) in vertebrate embryological development.

Postdoctoral positions at the University of Edinburgh 1996-2002, studying the roles of cell adhesion molecules (Neurofascin) and transcription factors (Pax6) in vertebrate development and disease.

Appointed Lecturer at Aberdeen University, 2002.

Senior Lecturer from October 2005. Reader 2008. Personal Chair 2012

Vice-chair of the Editorial Board of the journal British Birds.

Former Chair of the British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee

FOR BIRD/DNA enquiries, contact m.collinson@abdn.ac.uk

External Memberships

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS

  • British Society for Developmental Biology
  • Genetics Society
  • Former Chair of the BOU records Committee and Convenor of the Taxonomic Committee

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERSHIP

  • Ibis 2009 - present
  • British Birds 1998 - present
Research

Research Overview

The major foci of work in the lab are:

THE GENETIC BASIS OF HUMAN BIRTH ABNORMALITIES AND DEGENERATIVE DISEASE

STEM CELL BIOLOGY IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE

We study the genetic basis of normal embryonic development (mostly eyes and limbs) and the processes that can go wrong in humans.  We also study stem cell activity in adults, focusing on degenerative disease and fertility problems.

1) The development and evolution of eyes.  There are several projects on the go. 

a) The roles of a transcription factor, Pax6, in eye development and disease . We examine how mutations in Pax6 change the cell surface properties of mutant cells, and how this may impact on the eye.

Patients with mutations in the PAX6 gene develop multiple eye abnormalities, including any or all of: aniridia (absence of iris), corneal opacity (aniridia-related keratopathy), cataract (lens clouding), glaucoma and long-term retinal degeneration. We are interested in developing new therapeutic strategies

Figure 1: The eye of a PAX6+/- aniridic patient (photograph kindly provided by Dr K, Ramaesh, University of Edinburgh). Note the corneal opacity associated with vascularisation.

b)  The development of eyes in true moles (Talpa). Moles live most of their lives underground and over evolutionary time we expect their eyes to degenerate.  We study the Iberian Mole Talpa occidentalis, in which the eyes are permanently closed, and determine how the genetic pathways that underlie eye development are breaking down in this species.

Figure 2: An adult Iberian Mole

2)  The genetic control of axon guidance and epithelial cell migration.  What pushes a cell or a growth cone from point A to point B?  We examine the relative contribution of chemical and contact mediated guidance cues in vivo.


Figure 3.  Swirling patterns of cell migration in the corneal epithelium, visualised in eyes that are mosaic for LacZ expression.

3)  The genetics and etiology of Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (clubfoot)

We study the genetic and environmental factors that underlie clubfoot - an extremely common birth abnormality (1 in 500 babies) for which virtually nothing is clear about the causes. 

Figure 4. Human bilateral clubfoot.

28th August 2011 - Interview with the Naked Scientists about the clubfoot project - see

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/interviews/interview/1784/

 

 

POTENTIAL PHD STUDENT?

We are looking for motivated, funded PhD students for studies in any of the above fields, e.g.

1) Genetics and molecular biology of motor neurone development and disease

2) Eye Evolution

3) Control of cell migration and wound healing

4) Genetics of human disease

5) Adult Stem Cells

 

Research Areas

Biological and Environmental Sciences

Biomedical Sciences

Research Specialisms

  • Genetics

Our research specialisms are based on the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) which is HESA open data, published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

Funding and Grants

MRC Principal Applicant. The genetic basis of clubfoot. £515,000 from October 2008  

BBSRC Principal Applicant – coholders Dr Ann Rajnicek (Univ of Aberdeen), Prof Min Zhao (UC Irvine), Prof Colin McCaig (Univ of Aberdeen) The genetic control of epithelial cell migration and wound healing physiology £643,000 from February 2007  

WELLCOME TRUST Corneal dysgenesis in the Pax6-mutant mouse – shoddy workmanship or sabotage? £245,000 from 1/9/04.  

Dr James Alexander Mearns Trust Molecular basis of gene dosage effects of Pax6 mutants £51,660 from 01/10/07.  

NHS GRAMPIAN ENDOWMENT FUND Vascularisation of the cornea £2688 from 01/04/07

NEWLIFE (Birth Defects Foundation) Aetiology and therapy of congenital corneal opacity £80,000 from July 2005 

Teaching

Teaching Responsibilities

TEACHING - BSc Programmes in Biomedical Sciences, Genetics, Human Embryology and Developmental Biology.

 

Human Embryology and Developmental Biology Degrees at the University of Aberdeen

The degrees are suitable for students wanting to learn about embryology, stem cells, bioengineering, reproductive biology, wound healing, evolution and cancer.  Graduates can move on to jobs in academic and commercial jobs in embryology, clinical genetics, molecular biology and many biomedical fields.

 

'T-Club' - the Developmental Biology newsletter for University of Aberdeen.TClubDec12.pdf

 

Are you thinking about a degree in Developmental biology?  Have a look at this.

Publications

Page 2 of 2 Results 51 to 97 of 97

  • Tissue specific characterisation of Lim-kinase 1 expression during mouse embryogenesis

    Lindström, N. O., Neves, C., McIntosh, R., Miedzybrodzka, Z. H., Vargesson, N., Collinson, J. M.
    Gene Expression Patterns, vol. 11, no. 3-4, pp. 221-232
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • A time-lapse and quantitative modelling analysis of neural stem cell motion in the absence of directional cues and in electric fields

    Arocena, M., Zhao, M., Collinson, J. M., Song, B.
    Journal of neuroscience research, vol. 88, no. 15, pp. 3267-3274
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Development of the cornea of true moles (Talpidae): Morphogenesis and expression of PAX6 and cytokeratins

    Carmona, F. D., Ou, J., Jiménez, R., Collinson, J. M.
    Journal of Anatomy, vol. 217, no. 5, pp. 488-500
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Retinal development and function in a 'blind' mole

    Carmona, F. D., Glosmann, M., Ou, J., Jiménez, R., Collinson, J. M.
    Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. B, Biological Sciences, vol. 277, no. 1687, pp. 1513-1522
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Cytoskeletal and cell adhesion defects in wounded and Pax6+/- corneal epithelia

    Ou, J., Lowes, C., Collinson, J. M.
    Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 1415-1423
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: sixth report

    Sangster, G., Collinson, J. M., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D., Svensson, L.
    Ibis, vol. 152, no. 1, pp. 180-186
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Effects of elevated Pax6 expression and genetic background on mouse eye development

    Chanas, S. A., Collinson, J. M., Ramaesh, T., Dora, N., Kleinjan, D. A., Hill, R. E., West, J. D.
    Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, vol. 50, no. 9, pp. 4045-4059
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • The developmental basis of clubfoot

    Lindstrom, N., McIntosh, R., Sapsford, H., Vargesson, N., Miedzybrodzka, Z., Collinson, M.
    16th Annual Conference of the International-Society-of-Development-Biologists, pp. S126
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts
  • Control of patterns of corneal innervation by Pax6

    Leiper, L. J., Ou, J., Walczysko, P., Kucerova, R., Lavery, D. N., West, J. D., Collinson, J. M.
    Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 1122-1128
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • The molecular basis of defective lens development in the Iberian mole

    Carmona, F. D., Jimenez, R., Collinson, J. M.
    BMC Biology, vol. 6, 44
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: fifth report

    Knox, A. G., Collinson, J. M., Parkin, D. T., Sangster, G., Svensson, L.
    Ibis, vol. 150, no. 4, pp. 833-835
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Chronic wound state exacerbated by oxidative stress in Pax6+/-aniridia-related keratopathy

    Ou, J., Walczysko, P., Kucerova, R., Rajnicek, A. M., McCaig, C. D., Zhao, M., Collinson, J. M.
    The Journal of pathology, vol. 215, no. 4, pp. 421-430
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Species boundaries in the Herring Gull and Lesser Black-Backed Gull complex

    Collinson, J. M., Parkin, D., Knox, A. G., Sangster, G., Svensson, L.
    British Birds, vol. 101, no. 7, pp. 340-363
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • PAX6 dosage effects on comeal development, growth, and wound healing

    Dora, N., Ou, J., Kucerova, R., Parisi, I., West, J. D., Collinson, J. M.
    Developmental Dynamics, vol. 237, no. 5, pp. 1295-1306
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Identification of vagrant Iberian Chiffchaffs - Pointers, pitfalls and problem birds

    Collinson, J. M., Melling, T.
    British Birds, vol. 101, no. 4, pp. 174-188
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy specifically reduces human fetal desert hedgehog gene expression during testis development

    Fowler, P. A., Cassie, S., Rhind, S. M., Brewer, M. J., Collinson, J. M., Lea, R. G., Baker, P. J., Bhattacharya, S., O'Shaughnessy, P. J.
    Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 93, no. 2, pp. 619-626
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • A highly conserved Wnt-dependent TCF4 binding site within the proximal enhancer of the anti-myogenic Msx1 gene supports expression within Pax3-expressing limb bud muscle precursor cells

    Miller, K. A., Barrow, J., Collinson, J. M., Davidson, S., Lear, M., Hill, R. E., MacKenzie, A.
    Developmental Biology, vol. 311, no. 2, pp. 665-678
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: Fourth report

    Sangster, G., Collinson, J. M., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T., Svensson, L.
    Ibis, vol. 149, no. 4, pp. 853-857
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Video analysis of the escape flight of Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus: does the Ivory-Billed woodpecker Campephilus principalis persist in continental North America?

    Collinson, J. M.
    BMC Biology, vol. 5, 8
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Cell surface glycoconjugate abnormalities and corneal epithelial wound healing in the Pax6(+/-) mouse model of aniridia-related keratopathy

    Kucerova, R., Ou, J., Lawson, D., Leiper, L. J., Collinson, J. M.
    Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, vol. 47, no. 12, pp. 5276-5282
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Developing guidelines to assist in defining species limits

    Parkin, D. T., Collinson, J. M., Helbig, A. J., Knox, A. G., Sangster, G.
    Acta Zoologica Sinica, vol. 52, no. 201, pp. 435-438
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Penetrance of eye defects in mice heterozygous for mutation of Gli3 is enhanced by heterozygous mutation of Pax6

    Zaki, P. A., Collinson, J. M., Toraiwa, J., Simpson, T. I., Price, D. J., Quinn, J. C.
    BMC Biology, vol. 6, 46
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • The roles of calcium signaling and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a Pax6(+/-) mouse model of epithelial wound-healing delay

    Leiper, L. J., Walczysko, P., Kucerova, R., Ou, J., Shanley, L., Lawson, D., Forrester, J. V., McCaig, C. D., Zhao, M., Collinson, J. M.
    BMC Biology, vol. 4, 27
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Identification of novel mutant PAX6 alleles in Indian cases of familial aniridia

    Neethirajan, G., Nallathambi, J., Krishnadas, S. R., Vijayalakshmi, P., Shashikanth, S., Collinson, J. M., Sundaresan, P.
    BMC Ophthalmology, vol. 6, 28
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Species limits within the genus Melanitta, the scoters

    Collinson, J. M., Parkin, D. T., Knox, A. G., Sangster, G., Helbig, A. J.
    British Birds, vol. 99, no. 4, pp. 183-201
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Taxonomy for birders: A beginner's guide to DNA and species problems

    Maclean, N., Collinson, M., Newell, R. G.
    British Birds, vol. 98, no. 10, pp. 512-537
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Developmental and cellular factors underlying corneal epithelial dysgenesis in the Pax6+/- mouse model of aniridia

    Ramaesh, T., Ramaesh, K., Collinson, J. M., Chanas, S. A., Dhillon, B., West, J. D.
    Experimental Eye Research, vol. 81, no. 2, pp. 224-235
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Species limits in the Red-Breasted Flycatcher

    Svensson, L., Collinson, J. M., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T., Sangster, G.
    British Birds, vol. 98, no. 10, pp. 538-541
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: third report

    Sangster, G., Collinson, J. M., Helbig, A. J., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T.
    Ibis, vol. 147, pp. 821-826
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Is there a functional link between gene interdigitation and multi-species conservation of synteny blocks?

    MacKenzie, A., Miller, K. A., Collinson, J. M.
    BioEssays, vol. 26, no. 11, pp. 1217-1224
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Species limits in Acrocephalus and Hippolais warblers from the Western Palearctic

    Parkin, D. T., Collinson, M., Helbig, A. J., Knox, A. G., Sangster, G., Svensson, L.
    British Birds, vol. 97, no. 6, pp. 276-299
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • The taxonomic status of Macqueen's Bustard

    Sangster, G., Collinson, M., Helbig, A. J., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T.
    British Birds, vol. 97, no. 2, pp. 60-67
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Analysis of eye development with mouse chimeras and mosaics

    Collinson, J. M., Hill, R. E., West, J. D.
    International Journal of Developmental Biology, vol. 48, pp. 793-804
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Corneal development, limbal stem cell function, and corneal epithelial cell migration in the Pax6+/- mouse

    Collinson, J. M., Chanas, S. A., Hill, R. E., West, J. D.
    Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 1101-1108
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • De-novo deletions in the paired domain of PAX6 in south Indian aniridic patients

    Neetirajan, G., Collinson, J. M., Krishnadas, S. R., Vijayalakshmi, P., Shashikant, S., Reena, C., Sundaresan, P.
    Journal of Human Genetics, vol. 49, pp. 647-649
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: second report

    Sangster, G., Collinson, J. M., Helbig, A. J., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T.
    Ibis, vol. 146, no. 1, pp. 153-157
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Specific status of taxa within the Greenish Warbler complex

    Collinson, M., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T., Sangster, G.
    British Birds, vol. 96, no. 7, pp. 327-331
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • The taxonomic status of Carrion and Hooded Crows

    Parkin, D. T., Collinson, M., Helbig, A. J., Knox, A. G., Sangster, G.
    British Birds, vol. 96, no. 6, pp. 274-290
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Corneal abnormalities in Pax6+/- (small eye) mice mimic human aniridia-related keratopathy

    Ramaesh, T., Collinson, J. M., Ramaesh, K., Kaufman, M. H., West, J. D., Dhillon, B.
    Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 1871-1878
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • The roles of Pax6 in the cornea, retina and olfactory epithelium of the developing mouse embryo

    Collinson, J. M., Quinn, J., Hill, R. E., West, J. D.
    Developmental Biology, vol. 255, no. 2, pp. 303-312
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Pax6 regulates regional development and neuronal migration in the cerebral cortex

    Talamillo, A., Quinn, J. C., Collinson, J. M., Caric, D., Price, D. J., West, J. D., Hill, R. E.
    Developmental Biology, vol. 255, no. 1, pp. 151-163
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • The specific status of Balearic and Yelkouan shearwaters

    Sangster, G., Collinson, J. M., Helbig, A. J., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T.
    British Birds, vol. 95, no. 12, pp. 636-639
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Clonal analysis of patterns of growth, stem cell activity and cell movement during the development and maintenance of the murine corneal epithelium

    Collinson, J. M., Morris, L., Reid, A. I., Ramaesh, T., Keighren, M. A., Flockhart, J. H., Hill, R. E., Tan, S., Ramaesh, K., Dhillon, B., West, J. D.
    Developmental Dynamics, vol. 224, no. 4, pp. 432-440
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Guidelines for assigning species rank

    Helbig, A. J., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T., Sangster, G., Collinson, J. M.
    Ibis, vol. 144, no. 3, pp. 518-525
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Taxonomic recommendations for British birds

    Knox, A. G., Collinson, J. M., Helbig, A. J., Parkin, D. T., Sangster, G.
    Ibis, vol. 144, no. 4, pp. 707-710
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Primary defects in the lens underlie complex anterior segment abnormalities of the Pax6 heterozygous eye

    Collinson, J. M., Quinn, J. C., Buchanan, M. A., Kaufman, M. H., Wedden, S. E., West, J. D., Hill, R. E.
    PNAS, vol. 98, no. 17, pp. 9688-9693
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Two enhancer domains control early aspects of the complex expression pattern of Msx1

    MacKenzie, A., Purdie, L., Davidson, D., Collinson, M., Hill, R. E.
    Mechanisms of Development, vol. 62, no. 1, pp. 29-40
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
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