Duncan Sproul

Dr Duncan Sproul is a CRUK Career Development Fellow and Programme Leader at the MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh. He holds a Senior Lecturer position and leads an interdisciplinary research program combining computational analysis, mathematical modeling, and experimental biology to investigate epigenetic dysfunction in disease.

Research Focus: Sproul’s laboratory specializes in understanding DNA methylation alterations in cancer and human populations. Key projects address: (1) the molecular mechanisms driving DNA methylation changes in breast and colorectal cancer, and (2) the biological processes underlying DNA methylation variation during aging and population genetics. His work leverages machine learning, epigenomic technologies, and genome editing in cellular models.

Awards:

• CRUK Career Development Fellowship

Education:

• BSc (Hons) in Genetics, University of Edinburgh (2002)
• PhD in Epigenetics, University of Edinburgh (2008)

Students:

• Andreanna Wright (PhD student)
• Christine Rodger (PhD student)
• Willow Rolls (PhD student)
• Moira Pasquier (PhD student)

Collaborations: Partnerships with clinicians, computational biologists, and institutions like the Edinburgh Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit. Active in the Scottish Crucible network.