Angus Wann

Dr. Angus Wann is an Associate Professor in Cell Physiology at the University of Southampton's School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on mechanobiology, primary cilia, and developmental engineering approaches to tissue biology, with applications in musculoskeletal diseases like chondrodysplasia and osteoarthritis. He leads a lab using techniques such as cell/molecular biology, multiscale imaging, and in vivo models. Wann holds a PhD in Physiology from St George's, University of London, and has held postdoctoral and fellowship positions at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Oxford. He currently accepts PhD students and has secured BBSRC funding for projects like 'Integrating mechanical forces - a cellular mechanodampener.'

Education:

• PhD in Physiology, St George's, University of London (mechanobiology of hyaluronan secretion)
• Postdoctoral research at Queen Mary University of London (primary cilia structure/function)
• Senior fellowship at University of Oxford (2015–2023)

Research Interests: Wann's work explores how mechanical forces and primary cilia regulate cellular signaling in health/disease, particularly in musculoskeletal systems. His lab integrates developmental engineering, imaging, and genetic models to study tissue homeostasis and disease mechanisms. Key areas include ciliary dysfunction in osteoarthritis, growth plate biology, and matrix turnover.

Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes organ-on-a-chip systems for tissue patterning, skeletal ciliopathies, and mechanical force regulation in bone development. His studies bridge fundamental discovery with translational applications in musculoskeletal disorders.

Awards:

• Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research / Arthritis Research UK Career Development Fellowship (2015)

Advising & Grants: Accepts PhD students; active BBSRC grant (2023) on cellular mechanodampeners. Collaborates on interdisciplinary projects like multi-parameter flow cytometry for cell state analysis.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Cell Physiology lab at Southampton, part of the Precision Biosciences Innovation Hub and Institute for Life Sciences. Collaborates with groups like the Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells, and Regeneration.