Dr Matthew Johnson

I am a human molecular geneticist leading a group of talented researchers working on autoimmune diabetes. Our research asks why the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in some people and not others, and what that means for how we treat, predict and ultimately prevent type 1 diabetes.

One major approach we use is to study the extremes. We study people with very rare, single-gene forms of autoimmune diabetes, and children who develop type 1 diabetes in the first months of life, where the underlying biology is often clearest. By combining genomics, immunology and detailed clinical characterisation in these rare groups we aim to uncover mechanisms that are relevant to the much larger population of people living with common type 1 diabetes.

I lead Exeter's research programme in monogenic autoimmune diabetes and, in partership with the Exeter NHS Genomics Laboratory, am fortunate to be able to offer a genetic testing service that receives referrals from clinicians in the UK and around the world. Through this I have contributed to the discovery of new genetic causes of autoimmune diabetes, and provided a genetic diagnosis to more than 150 families. For these families a diagnosis can change treatment and end years of uncertainty, whilst for researchers understanding the single gene causes highlights new mechanisms and, potentially, new therapeutic targets.

I currently hold an RD Lawrence personal Fellowship from Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D where I am working to understand how we can apply knowledge from monogenic forms of autoimmune diabetes to common type 1 diabetes. I also hold major grants from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to apply exome and genome sequencing to large and diverse type 1 diabetes cohorts, and to study extremely early-onset disease. I have published over 60 peer-reviewed papers, including in Nature Genetics, Diabetes, the Journal of Experimental Medicine and The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Qualifications:

• BSc (hons) (University of Birmingham, 2011)
• PhD (University of Exeter, 2017)

Career:

2013-2014 - NHS Genetic Technologist

2014-2017 - PhD student

2017-2019 - Postdoctoral researcher

2019-2024 - E3 Independent research fellow (personal fellowship)

2023 - Senior Research Fellow

2024-2029 - RD Lawrence Fellow (personal fellowship)