Davison Group

Research and group aims: The research group led by Dr Davison investigates the genetic, immunological and cellular mechanisms underlying diabetes mellitus and related endocrine and inflammatory diseases, using a comparative, cross-species approach. A central aim of the group is to understand how naturally occurring genetic variation, immune dysregulation and tissue-specific mechanisms contribute to disease susceptibility, heterogeneity and progression, particularly in complex and autoimmune forms of diabetes. Alongside core work in diabetes, the group undertakes related projects in pancreatic disease, endocrine tumours, immunometabolism and inflammatory disorders, reflecting shared biological pathways across conditions.

The group integrates population genetics, whole-genome sequencing, transcriptomics, single-cell biology, electrophysiology and functional genomics  approaches with detailed clinical phenotyping in companion animals, alongside parallel analyses in human and experimental datasets. Naturally occurring disease in dogs, cats and other species is used as a powerful model to study disease mechanisms in real-world settings, including shared environmental exposures. Through this work, the group seeks to identify conserved biological pathways and generate mechanistic insight relevant to human disease, while also improving diagnosis and management in veterinary patients.