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Fiona Watt

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This article is about the British scientist. For the British children's author, see Fiona Watt (author).

Fiona Watt
Born28 March 1956 Edit this on Wikidata
Alma mater
Employer
Spouse(s)Jim Cuthbert Smith Edit this on Wikidata
Awards
Websitehttp://www.wattlab.org Edit this on Wikidata

Fiona Watt, FRS FMedSci (born 28 March 1956) is a British scientist who is internationally known for her contributions to the field of stem cell biology.[1] In the 1980s, when the field was in its infancy, she highlighted key characteristics of stem cells and their environment that laid the foundation for much present day research.[2]

Watt is the Director of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).[3] She previously served as director of the Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine at King's College London, and executive chair of the Medical Research Council (United Kingdom) (MRC), becoming the first woman to lead the MRC since its foundation in 1913.[4]

Early life and education

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Watt was born on 28 March 1956[5] in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her father was a dental surgeon who combined his clinical work with an active research programme. Her family were members of the Church of Scotland. Her younger sister, Wendy, died in 1982. Watt knew she wanted to be a scientist from a very young age.[6]

Watt obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Natural Sciences in 1976, and her master's degree in 1979, both at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge. She also obtained her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford in 1979, supervised by Henry Harris with a thesis on Microtubule-organizing centres in cells in culture and in hybrids derived from them'.[7][6]

Career

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After her PhD, Watt completed a two-year postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US, with Dr. Howard Green. Upon returning to the UK, she founded her first lab at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology in London where she became Head of the Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory. In 1987 she relocated to the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute (now part of the Francis Crick Institute) where she served as Head of the Keratinocyte Laboratory. From 2007 to 2012 she worked in Cambridge, where she helped to establish the Cambridge Cancer Research UK Institute and the Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research. She was a Fellow of St John’s College and the first Herchel Smith Professor of Molecular Genetics at Cambridge University.

Research

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Watt’s major research contribution has been to elucidate how the outer covering of mammalian skin, the epidermis, is maintained through self-renewal of stem cells and terminal differentiation of their progeny. Using cultured human epidermis and genetically modified mice, she pioneered the identification of stem cell populations and elucidated the roles of integrin,[8] Notch,[9] Wnt[10] and receptor tyrosine kinase[11] signalling in regulating their behavior. She identified the first marker, integrin extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors, that could be used to isolate epidermal stem cells[12] – researchers have subsequently found that this marker enriches for stem cells in a wide range of tissues. In addition, others have amply confirmed her original concept that the ECM is a key component of the stem cell niche.

Her lab's research has also shown that the interplay between diverse intrinsic and extrinsic signals is central to determining cell fate,[13] identified different sensing mechanisms and downstream signalling pathways,[14] and elucidated the nature of the switch between stem cells and differentiated cells.[15]

A pioneer of single cell gene expression profiling,[16] she demonstrated that different human epidermal stem cell states are not stochastic but reflect the existence of stem cell subpopulations that had not been identified previously. By demonstrating the existence of functionally distinct skin fibroblast lineages[17] she has opened the way for new strategies to treat scarring and fibrosis.

Watt’s work has resulted in new insights into how epidermal deregulation leads to tumor formation, including the roles played by differentiated cells,[18] bacteria and immune cells.[19] She uncovered new mechanisms by which integrins contribute to cancer, including the first tumour-associated integrin mutation.[20] She also identified the first Wnt-inhibitory mutation that stimulates tumour formation.[21] The generality of her observations has been confirmed in other solid tumours. In recent years she has become increasingly interested in the relationship between genetic variants and cellular behaviour.[22]

Leadership

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Watt in 2014

Watt has played a key role in promoting UK government investment in stem cell research, for example, as specialist adviser to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee. She is also the former president of the British Society for Cell Biology and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). She served as Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Cell Science for 20 years and then as a founding Deputy Editor of eLife. Watt is a vocal advocate for women in science. In a series of articles[23][24] and interviews with women scientists (2004-2005), she examined the struggles women face in 'getting to the top'.

At the Medical Research Council she launched a programme to enable full-time clinicians to participate in research; worked with and engaged Black and Minority Ethnic PhD students to identify new ways to support their academic careers; and developed new initiatives in multi-morbidity, adolescent mental health and pain. In 2020, Watt spearheaded efforts to fund coronavirus research, helping to ensure that the first awards from UKRI/DHSC were made just as the scale of the pandemic was becoming apparent. During Watt’s tenure as MRC Executive Chair, she oversaw the decision to close the Mammalian Genetics Unit. This strategic decision was decried by over 150 researchers and leading geneticists internationally, including Elizabeth Fisher and Robin Lovell-Badge.[25] Following a Strategic Review in 2019, the MRC Council concluded that in light of scientific advances to create more complex clinically-related mouse models, it was timely to focus on new investments on targeted programmes that are integrated with human disease modelling. Professor Owen Sansom was appointed Director of the new National Mouse Genetics Network.[26][27] The Medical Research Council invested more than £20 million[28] in the network bringing together a package of challenge-focused research clusters distributed across the UK and a long term partnership with the Mary Lyon Centre at Harwell.[29][30] In December 2020 a whistleblowing investigation was triggered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), determining that Watt had acted in a bullying manner.[31] She offered written apologies to multiple individuals.[31][32] Watt remained in post until her term as MRC Executive Chair ended in early 2022, then took up her new position as director of the European Molecular Biology Organization.[31]

Awards and honours

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Watt is a Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (1999),[33] Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (2000),[34] and a Fellow of the Royal Society (2003).[34] She was elected an Honorary Foreign Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2008.[35] Watt is also a Doctor Honoris Causa of the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (2016).[34] She was elected an Honorary Member of Society for Investigative Dermatology (2018)[36] and Honorary Fellow, British Pharmacological Society (2019).[37] Watt is a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences (2019),[33] Member of Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (2023),[38] and is a member of several advisory boards, including the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL),[33] Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)[39] and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Medical Advisory Board.[40]

She won the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Women in Cell Biology Senior Award in 2008,[35] the inaugural Suffrage Science award in 2011,[41] the Hunterian Society Medal in 2015,[34] the FEBS/EMBO Women in Science Award in 2016,[42] and the ISSCR Achievement Award (2024).[43]

References

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  1. ^ Baker, Monya (2008). "Fiona Watt: expanding niches for stem cell researchers". Nature Reports Stem Cells. doi:10.1038/stemcells.2008.105. ISSN 1754-8705.
  2. ^ Hall, PA; Watt, FM (1989). "Stem cells: the generation and maintenance of cellular diversity". Development. 106 (4): 619–33. doi:10.1242/dev.106.4.619. PMID 2562658.
  3. ^ "EMBO Leadership and Governance". 20 December 2023.
  4. ^ MRC, Medical Research Council (4 April 2018). "Professor Fiona Watt new Executive Chair of the MRC". mrc.ukri.org.
  5. ^ MRC, Medical Research Council (4 April 2018). "Professor Fiona Watt new Executive Chair of the MRC". mrc.ukri.org.
  6. ^ a b Lako, M; Daher, S (2009). "Balancing Work and Life: A Conversation with Fiona Watt". Stem Cells. 27 (4): 762–763. doi:10.1002/stem.53. PMC 2988410. PMID 19350675.
  7. ^ Watt, Fiona Mary (1979). Microtubule organizing centres in cells in culture and in hybrids derived from them. ox.ac.uk (DPhil thesis). University of Oxford. OCLC 500586805. EThOS uk.bl.ethos.476663.
  8. ^ Adams, JC; Watt, FM (1989). "Fibronectin inhibits the terminal differentiation of human keratinocytes". Nature. 340 (6231): 307–9. Bibcode:1989Natur.340..307A. doi:10.1038/340307a0. PMID 2473404. S2CID 4326305.
  9. ^ Lowell, S; Jones, P; La Roux, I; Dunne, J; Watt, FM (2000). "Stimulation of human epidermal differentiation by delta-notch signalling at the boundaries of stem-cell clusters". Curr. Biol. 10 (9): 491–500. doi:10.1016/S0960-9822(00)00451-6. PMID 10801437. S2CID 8927528.
  10. ^ Zhu, AJ; Watt, FM (1999). "beta-catenin signalling modulates proliferative potential of human epidermal keratinocytes independently of intercellular adhesion". Development. 126 (10): 2285–98. doi:10.1242/dev.126.10.2285. PMID 10207152.
  11. ^ Zhu, AJ; Haase, I; Watt, FM (1999). "Signaling via beta1 integrins and mitogen-activated protein kinase determines human epidermal stem cell fate in vitro". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96 (12): 6728–33. Bibcode:1999PNAS...96.6728Z. doi:10.1073/pnas.96.12.6728. PMC 21983. PMID 10359780.
  12. ^ Jones, PH; Watt, FM (1993). "Separation of human epidermal stem cells from transit amplifying cells on the basis of differences in integrin function and expression". Cell. 73 (4): 713–2. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(93)90251-K. PMID 8500165. S2CID 22278151.
  13. ^ Connelly, JT; Gautrot, JE; Trappmann, B; Tan, DW; Donati, G; Huck, WT; Watt, FM (2010). "Actin and serum response factor transduce physical cues from the microenvironment to regulate epidermal stem cell fate decisions". Nat. Cell Biol. 12 (7): 711–8. doi:10.1038/ncb2074. hdl:2318/1590738. PMID 20581838. S2CID 15176526.
  14. ^ Trappmann, B; Gautrot, JE; Connelly, JT; Strange, DG; Li, Y; Oyen, ML; Cohen Stuart, MA; Boehm, H; Li, B; Vogel, V; Spatz, JP; Watt, FM; Huck, WT (2012). "Extracellular-matrix tethering regulates stem-cell fate". Nat. Mater. 11 (7): 642–9. Bibcode:2012NatMa..11..642T. doi:10.1038/nmat3339. hdl:2066/93852. PMID 22635042.
  15. ^ Mishra, A; OulEs, B; Pisco, AO; Ly, T; Liakath-Ali, K; Walko, G; Viswanathan, P; Tihy, M; Nijjher, J; Dunn, SJ; Lamond, AI; Watt, FM (2017). "A protein phosphatase network controls the temporal and spatial dynamics of differentiation commitment in human epidermis". eLife. 6. doi:10.7554/eLife.27356. PMC 5667932. PMID 29043977.
  16. ^ Jensen, KB; Watt, FM (2006). "Single-cell expression profiling of human epidermal stem and transit-amplifying cells: Lrig1 is a regulator of stem cell quiescence". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 103 (32): 11958–63. Bibcode:2006PNAS..10311958J. doi:10.1073/pnas.0601886103. PMC 1567680. PMID 16877544.
  17. ^ Driskell, R; Lichtenberger, BM; Hoste, E; Kretzschmar, K; Simons, BD; Charalambous, M; Ferron, SR; Herault, Y; Pavlovic, G; Ferguson-Smith, AC; Watt, FM (2013). "Distinct fibroblast lineages determine dermal architecture in skin development and repair". Nature. 504 (7479): 277–281. Bibcode:2013Natur.504..277D. doi:10.1038/nature12783. PMC 3868929. PMID 24336287.
  18. ^ Owens, DM; Watt, FM (2001). "Influence of beta1 integrins on epidermal squamous cell carcinoma formation in a transgenic mouse model: alpha3beta1, but not alpha2beta1, suppresses malignant conversion". Cancer Res. 61 (13): 5248–54. PMID 11431366.
  19. ^ Hoste, E; Cipolat, S; Watt, FM (2015). "Understanding allergy and cancer risk: what are the barriers?". Nat. Rev. Cancer. 15 (3): 131–2. doi:10.1038/nrc3909. PMID 25866857. S2CID 33483585.
  20. ^ Evans, RD; Perkins, VC; Henry, A; Stephens, PE; Robinson, MK; Watt, FM (2003). "A tumor-associated beta 1 integrin mutation that abrogates epithelial differentiation control". J. Cell Biol. 160 (4): 589–96. doi:10.1083/jcb.200209016. PMC 2173744. PMID 12578911.
  21. ^ Takeda, H; Lyle, S; Lazar, AJ; Zouboulis, CC; Smyth, I; Watt, FM (2006). "Human sebaceous tumors harbor inactivating mutations in LEF1". Nat. Med. 12 (4): 395–7. doi:10.1038/nm1386. PMID 16565724. S2CID 12392504.
  22. ^ Vigilante, A; Laddach, A; Moens, N; Meleckyte, R; Leha, A; Ghahramani, A; Culley, OJ; Kathuria, A; Hurling, C; Vickers, A; Wiseman, E; Tewary, M; Zandstra, PW; HipSci, Consortium; Durbin, R; Fraternali, F; Stegle, O; Birney, E; Luscombe, NM; Danovi, D; Watt, FM (2019). "Identifying Extrinsic versus Intrinsic Drivers of Variation in Cell Behavior in Human iPSC Lines from Healthy Donors". Cell Rep. 26 (8): 2078–2087. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2019.01.094. PMC 6381787. PMID 30784590.
  23. ^ Watt, FM (2006). "Women in cell biology: getting to the top". Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 7 (4): 287–290. doi:10.1038/nrm1894. PMID 16607291. S2CID 33078699.
  24. ^ Watt, FM (2006). "Women in cell biology: how personal lives shape careers". Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 7 (5): 278–80. doi:10.1038/nrm1913. PMID 16550214. S2CID 32547634.
  25. ^ Else, Holly (26 June 2019). "Proposal to close UK mouse-research centre is 'major threat'". Nature. doi:10.1038/d41586-019-02002-y. S2CID 198624624.
  26. ^ "National Mouse Genetics Network". 15 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Director appointed for new National Mouse Genetics Network". 8 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Mary Lyon Centre". 15 September 2020.
  29. ^ "National Mouse Genetics Network". 15 June 2021.
  30. ^ "Home". har.mrc.ac.uk.
  31. ^ a b c "MRC chief apologises to staff after bullying probe". Research Professional News. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  32. ^ "Bullying probe sees MRC chief blocked from Wellcome grants". Research Professional News. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  33. ^ a b c "Leadership and governance". 8 February 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  34. ^ a b c d "Professor Watt named as the preferred candidate for role of Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council" (Press release). 19 December 2017.
  35. ^ a b Lako, Majlinda; Daher, Susan (1 April 2009). "Balancing Work and Life: A Conversation with Fiona Watt". Stem Cells. 27 (4): 762–763. doi:10.1002/stem.53. ISSN 1066-5099. PMC 2988410. PMID 19350675.
  36. ^ "Honorary Membership". Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  37. ^ "Honorary Fellows' Directory". Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  38. ^ "Unsere Mitglieder".
  39. ^ "An Interview with Prof. Fiona Watt". 7 July 2020.
  40. ^ "Medical Advisory Board". Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  41. ^ "LS 2011 AWARD HANDOVER". suffragescience.
  42. ^ "Fiona Watt to receive the 2016 FEBS EMBO Women in Science Award" (Press release). 26 February 2016.
  43. ^ "Fiona M. Watt Receives the 2024 ISSCR Achievement Award for her Seminal Work with Skin Stem Cells" (Press release). 6 February 2024.
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