User:Ajvphilp

Alastair grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland where he attended George Heriot's School. He is a graduate of Sidney Sussex College at the University of Cambridge where he studied Cell and Molecular Biology (1988-1991).

From 1991 to 1996 he worked in the Cancer Research Campaign Cell Cycle Genetics Group at the University of Dundee in the UK where he conducted fundamental research into how cells divide.

In 1997 he was Fulbright Cancer Research Fellow at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD).

Upon completion of this fellowship he joined the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at UCSD (from 1998 to 2000) as a Research Associate, where he continued to work on understanding which molecular motors move chromosomes. Chromosomes carry all our genetic material and if they are moved to the wrong place during cell division diseases like cancer ensue. The fibres on which the molecular motors move are targets for drugs like taxol which are used to treat cancer. Thus understanding how chromosomes are moved presents new targets for cancer therapeutic drugs.

Throughout his time as a researcher, Alastair took a strong interest in how science can improve the health and wealth of the nation and in how science communication can be improved. Simple interpretation of biology allows more informed ethical and public policy debate.

In June 1999 Alastair founded McFarlane Valentine BioConsulting (MVBio) which interprets biology for public policy makers.

In Feb 2000 Alastair relocated back to Edinburgh, Scotland where he is still based. Between March 2000 and July 2001 Alastair was head of Life Sciences at CEST (a UK policy institute/consultancy that has now closed) where he ran or contributed to projects examining:


 * Opportunities and challenges of the New Genetics (a CEST Collaborative Consortium)


 * Can GM, conventional and organic crops be grown in the same agricultural production area (as part of a European Commision study)


 * Exploring opportunities in health-promoting foods (a CEST Collaborative Consortium)


 * Investigating the world of interactive medicine


 * Genetics in context: aligning strategies in life science communication


 * Innovative organisations


 * Biocatalysis


 * Crisis management (a CEST Collaborative Consortium)

Since August 2001 Alastair has been working on mental health information for NHS National Services Scotland's Information Services Division (ISD). He is now the Programme Principal for Mental Health Information, and responsible for writing the Mental Health Information Strategy for Scotland.

However his interest, and involvement, in genetics policy continues. During 2002 Alastair completed a part-time secondment to the National Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland to examine Scotland-wide commissioning of genetic testing. He also undertook a part time secondment with the Scottish Executive on a Review of Genetics in relation to Healthcare in Scotland during 2004 and 2005. Dr Philp also represents ISD in collaborative projects, such as Generation Scotland, that are connecting genetic profiling of a sample of Scots with routine health information.