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Research Fellow

BSc(Hons) (Dundee); MSc (Kent); PhD (Otago)

Tel +64 3 364 3647
Email  alan.aitchison@otago.ac.nz

Dr Aitchison has expertise is in molecular biology and cell biology. Prior to coming to New Zealand, Dr Aitchison worked at Cambridge University, studying epigenetic gene regulation and in the biotech industry studying virology.

Since arriving in Christchurch, he has continued working in molecular biology in a range of settings from psychiatric diseases to leukaemia and, more recently, gut health.

His doctoral studies in Christchurch involved research into the molecular basis of early-onset colorectal cancer with an emphasis on the involvement of gut bacteria in the development of cancer. He is now continuing his interest in gut health by researching how improved nutrition may improve the lives of children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Publications

Keenan, J. I., Aitchison, A., Frizelle, F. A., & Hock, B. D. (2023). Detection of chitinase 3-like 1 in symptomatic primary care patient faecal samples is not a reliable biomarker of colonic lesions. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 24(7), 2289-2293. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.7.2289 Journal - Research Article

Aitchison, A., Pearson, J. F., Purcell, R. V., Frizelle, F. A., & Keenan, J. I. (2022). Detection of Fusobacterium nucleatum DNA in primary care patient stool samples does not predict progression of colorectal neoplasia. PLoS ONE, 17(6), e0269541. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269541 Journal - Research Article

Aitchison, A. (2020). E-cadherin and APC in early-onset colorectal cancer (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/10424 Awarded Doctoral Degree

Aitchison, A., Hakkaart, C., Day, R. C., Morrin, H. R., Frizelle, F. A., & Keenan, J. I. (2020). APC mutations are not confined to hotspot regions in early-onset colorectal cancer. Cancers, 12, 3829. doi: 10.3390/cancers12123829 Journal - Research Article

Aitchison, A., Hakkaart, C., Whitehead, M., Khan, S., Siddique, S., Ahmed, R., Frizelle, F. A., & Keenan, J. I. (2020). CDH1 gene mutation in early-onset, colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma. Pathology: Research & Practice, 216, 152912. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.152912 Journal - Research Article

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