Dr Fraser Macrae
- Position: University Academic Fellow and Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow
- Areas of expertise: Wound healing; Haemostasis; Thrombosis; Cardiovascualr disease; Clot structure; Fibrinogen; Fibrin biofilms; Fibrin structure; Factor XIII; PNH; Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
- Email: medfma@leeds.ac.uk
- Location: 7.33 LIGHT building
- Website: Twitter | ORCID
Profile
I completed my undergraduate medical sciences degree (BSc hons) at the University of Leeds graduating in 2011. Following this, I began working in the lab of Professor Robert Ariëns in the school of medicine in Leeds as a research assistant exploring the roles of the fibrin clot in abdominal aortic aneurysm development and progression.
In 2012 I began a part-time PhD along side my research assistant position, focussing on the role of fibrin clots in cardiovascular disease and infection. In 2019 I was awarded a Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship from the Wellcome trust to explore the role of fibrin films in infection and wound healing.
At the beginning of 2020 I was appointed as a University Academic Fellow where I am now establishing my own research group targeted at understanding the interplay of haemostasis, infection, and wound healing, a novel area that is central to the research strategy of the institute.
Research interests
My main research interest revolves around uncovering the changes in coagulation that link thrombosis and tissue repair. For the past 10 years I have been interested in how changes in coagulation and clot formation contribute the development of thrombotic disease (Heart attacks, strokes DVT). But more recently I have begun trying to use this knowledge to explore at how these changes in coagulation may alos contribute to tissue repair, and understand if there are any blood related connections between the development of thrombosis and poor wound healing.
There are numerous chronic diseases that present with and increased risk of both thrombosis and poor wound healing, and poor healing is a growing issue that is poorly understood and has very limited treatment options. By elucidating changes in coagulation that contribute to the development of thrombosis and poor wound healing, I will be able to target these specific mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with thrombosis and non-healing wounds.
My group also continues to be involved in research exploring causes and mechanisms of thrombosis, including changes in clot structure, as well as taking a new interest in the cryopreservation of blood and its cells.
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons)
- PhD
Professional memberships
- International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
- British Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis
- Platelet Society
Student education
I am actively involved in teaching on the undergraduate medical curriculum in Leeds. This is mainly focussed on teaching around the subjects of haemostasis and thrombosis as well as introducing areas of teaching on wound healing. I also teach similar topics as part of our flagship BHF-funded 4 year PhD programme that is established in LICAMM. I also supervise a range of undergraduate projects and post-graduate research students.
Research groups and institutes
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine
- Cardiometabolic
- Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre