Simon Powis

Biography

I graduated from the University of Glasgow with a BSc (Hons) in Immunology in 1986, and then undertook PhD studies at the University of Cambridge, based at the Babraham Research Institute, graduating 1990. Two postdoctoral positions followed at Babraham, followed by a move the University of Dundee where I held a Wellcome Trust Career Development Award (1995-1999) and then an MRC Senior Fellowship from 1999-2004. In 2005, I moved to my current post in the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews. Throughout my career, my main research focus has been a group of molecules in the immune system called the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules. These proteins are involved in protection against viral infections, cancer neogenesis and transplant rejection. I have been closely involved in characterizing how these MHC class I molecules assemble inside cells, where they undergo a complex series of quality control tests before being delivered to the cell surface for scrutiny by T lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells. I am also studying one particular MHC class I molecule termed HLA-B27, which is closely involved in the development of a type of inflammatory arthritis of the spine called ankylosing spondylitis. If we can understand the role HLA-B27 plays, we will be able to develop novel therapeutic strategies. With regard to teaching at the School, I deliver a series of lectures to medical students describing how the immune system works and what can happen when it goes wrong.

Research Interest

My main research focus has been a group of molecules in the immune system called the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules.