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Dr Leon Chang

Dr Leon Chang

  • Position: Research Fellow
  • Areas of expertise: Immunogenetics; Transcriptomics; Molecular Genetics; Bioinformatics; Autoinflammatory disorders; Mitochondrial Function
  • Email: L.Chang@leeds.ac.uk
  • Website: LinkedIn | Researchgate | ORCID

Profile

My scientific career started as a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist within the NHS at York District Hospital. In 2016, I decided to pursue a career in medical research and was awarded a PhD studentship at the University of Leeds, focusing on the transcriptomic and metabolic changes associated with Malignant Hyperthermia, a pharmacogenetic condition of skeletal muscle.

Following the pandemic I returned to academia as a research fellow specialising in bioinformatics, investigating the genetic causes of retinal dystrophies.

I am currently a postdoctoral research fellow funded by The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research. My main focus is to investigate the role of post-zygotic, somatic mutations in the pathogenesis of various immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and their influence on response to treatment. This involves analysing next generation sequencing data and utilising bioinformatic resources to identify mutations and gene signatures of interest for further functional research.

 

 

Research interests

Immune-mediated inflammatory disorders

My main research interest surrounds the genetics causes of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs) – in particular the role of somatic mutations. IMIDs are range of conditions caused by an individuals’ own immune system attacking various body parts including joints and soft tissues. Over the last two decades, novel biological therapies have transformed the treatment of these conditions. Nevertheless, it is still rare for patients to be cured of the disease, and many do not achieve disease-free status despite being on treatment.The role of acquired somatic mutation in IMIDs is an emerging field and individuals suffering from the same IMID may have different underlying causes of disease which require more personalised approaches to treatment. My research involves applying modern genetic techniques and analysis pipelines to explore genetic changes which may contribute to the pathogenesis and treatment response of different IMIDs.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds
  • BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences; First Class, Lancaster University

Student education

I teach genetics in medicine for MBChB students