Neil Avent

Background

About Neil Avent

Considerable experience of International level research and teaching at the academic-healthcare interface, having worked in the NHS and at UK/US Universities. I have a demonstrable track record in delivering basic research into clinical practise, notably DNA-based blood grouping and non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. I also have had significant experience of senior management in academia, currently head of School and associate Dean (Commercialisation) with Plymouth University. Currently 96 Peer reviewed papers published, majority of which are senior or first authored, and regularly cited (h index=28). Over £2.7 million of research income since 1997 from a wide variety of funding sources. Routinely give invited presentations and chair sessions at International congresses, recent examples include European Society for Human Genetics, Amsterdam 2011, European Hematology association, Barcelona 2010 and American association of Blood banks, New Orleans, 2009. Regular reviewer of journal papers and grants (e.g. Nature, MRC), and have previously been an external examiner at the Universities of Aberdeen, Chester, Portsmouth, Strathclyde and Warwick. Extensive experience of managing complex research projects, and co-ordinated an EC FP5 project (Bloodgen, 2003-2006; budget 2.32 million euro) which led to the commercial release of a CE-marked product BLOODchip by Progenika Biopharma. Network chair of Special Non-Invasive Advances in Fetal and Neonatal Evaluation network of excellence (2004-2009), EC-FP6 (budget 12 million euro). Current funding from NIHR, EC FP7 and Wellcome trust. Expanding portfolio of patents, most recent a novel method for depletion of maternal DNA from plasma and enrichment of fetal DNA (University of Plymouth, Feb 2011). Currently undergoing due diligence for spin-out activity working in the diagnostics sector, particularly maternal and fetal health in collaboration with venture capitalists and other investors. Specialties: Transfusion medicine - Molecular basis of blood groups, Rh blood group system. High-throughput genotyping for blood group status. Red cell structure and function especially relating to red cell turnover. Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis, and identification of new biomarkers for aneuploidy screening. Methods for free fetal DNA enrichment, and depletion of maternal DNA from maternal plasma