Alan Wright Ph.D. is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.
Alan is a leader in the field of retinal genetics who has made major contributions including the identification of RPGR as the gene mutated in the most common X-linked form of retinal degeneration, the role of ciliary dysfunction in retinal disease, the identification of C1QTNF5 as the cause of late-onset retinal degeneration (L-ORD), and genetic associations with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Alan founded the MRC’s Quantitative Trait Loci Research group which uses analysis of European populations to dissect the genetics behind complex traits.
Alan earned his doctorate in genetics from the University of Edinburgh and his medical degree (M.B. Ch.B.) from the University of St Andrews.