Irwin McLean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irwin McLean
FRS FRSE FMedSci
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| Born |
William Henry Irwin McLean
9 January 1963 |
| Alma mater | Queen's University of Belfast (BSc, PhD, DSc) |
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| Institutions | University of Dundee |
| Thesis | Electrophoretic and immunological analysis of proteins in the muscular dystrophies (1988) |
William Henry Irwin McLean, born in 1963, is an Irish scientist. He is a professor of genetic medicine at the University of Dundee. He studies how our genes affect our health.
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Early Life and Education
Professor McLean studied at Queen's University of Belfast. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology in 1985. In 1988, he completed his PhD. His PhD research looked at proteins related to muscular dystrophy.
Understanding Skin Conditions
Professor McLean's lab studies genetic disorders. These are conditions caused by changes in our genes. His team focuses on problems that affect the epithelium. This is the tissue that covers our bodies and lines our organs. Their work is supported by important research groups. These include the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.
Discovering the Cause of Eczema
One of Professor McLean's biggest discoveries is about filaggrin. This is a protein important for healthy skin. He found that changes in the gene for filaggrin can cause skin problems. About 10% of people have these changes.
These changes can lead to ichthyosis vulgaris. This is a condition that makes skin dry and flaky. More importantly, these gene changes also make people much more likely to get atopic eczema. This is a common skin condition that causes itchy, red patches.
Professor McLean's research showed something new. It suggested that a problem with the skin's barrier is the main cause of eczema. Before this, many thought it was mostly an immune system problem. This discovery changed how doctors think about and treat eczema. It also linked eczema to other conditions like asthma and hay fever.
Other Important Discoveries
Professor McLean was also the first to find the genes that cause other rare skin diseases. These include pachyonychia congenita. This condition affects the nails and skin. He also identified genes for muscular dystrophy with epidermolysis bullosa simplex. This affects muscles and causes fragile skin. Another condition he studied is Meesmann corneal dystrophy, which affects the eyes.
His work has shown that a part of our cells, called the cytoskeleton, is very important. It helps give strength to our skin and other tissues.
Awards and Recognition
Professor McLean has received many important awards for his work. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2014. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Academy of Medical Sciences. These awards show how much his research has helped us understand human health.
