Ahsan Akram (MBChB, FRCP, PhD)

Clinician Scientist and Honorary Consultant in Respiratory Medicine

  • Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair
  • Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer

Contact details

Address

Street

Centre for Inflammation Research
Institute for Regeneration and Repair
Edinburgh Bioquarter
4-5 Little France Drive

City
Edinburgh
Post code
EH16 4UU
Street

Cancer Research UK Centre
Institute of Genetics and Cancer
The University of Edinburgh
Western General Hospital
Crewe Road
EDINBURGH

City
Edinburgh
Post code
EH4 2XR

Biography

Background

Ahsan Akram is  a Clinician Scientist and UKRI Future leaders Fellow at the University of Edinburgh and Honorary Consultant in Respiratory Medicine in NHS Lothian. He qualified in Medicine in 2005 and completed a PhD in Optical Imaging in 2015. In 2017 he established his own research theme in stromal biology in NSCLC through a Cancer Research UK Clinician Scientist Fellowship, followed by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship in 2024. His research group researches components of the tumour microenvironment to understand how these different cells shape tumour progression and patient outcome. His group also has a strong interested in using optical imaging techniques, as well as chemical probes, to understand tumour biology in humans. His clinical work includes respiratory medicine on call, interventional pulmonology and clinical lung cancer work.

Qualifications

MBChB, FRCP, PhD

Responsibilities & affiliations

Academic representative on the Respiratory Specialist Training Committee 

Member of the CIR Postgraduate Committee

Member of the Clinical Academic Careers Group, College of Medicine

Member of the Scottish Parliament Cross-party group on Cancer

Member of the Scottish Expert Advisory Group on Lung Cancer Screening

Add hoc peer reviewer for multiple journals and funding bodies

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Current PhD students supervised

Mr Liam Nielson- PhD Student (primary supervisor)

Ms Ava Russell- PhD Student (primary supervisor)

Dr Adam Peters- CRUK TRACC Clinical Lectureship (co-supervisor)

Past PhD students supervised

Dr Lilian Koppenstiener (PhD, Main supervisor, PhD Awarded 2024)- Current Position: Completing Clinical Medical Training in Oncology.

Dr Layla Mathieson (PhD, Main Supervisor, PhD Awarded 2023) - Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate

Dr Helen Titmarsh (PhD, Main Supervisor, PhD Awarded 2020) - Current Position: Practicing Veterinary Clinician.

Dr Susan Fernandes (MRC Clinical Research training Fellow, Co-supervisor, PhD awarded) - Current Position: Consultant in Respiratory Medicine.

Research summary

We are dedicated to advancing the field of translational research in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most prevalent cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Our primary goal is to dissect the complexities of the tumour microenvironment (TME) to understand how different cellular components contribute to tumour progression and influence patient outcomes. By leveraging cutting-edge optical imaging techniques and chemical probes, we also look to delve deeper into tumour biology in humans. We are also dedicated to promoting and providing a positive research environment and culture.

Key Areas of Research:

Fibroblast and Immune Cell Heterogeneity in NSCLC:

  • We investigate the diversity of fibroblasts and immune cells within non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a focus on the cross talk with fibroblasts.
  • Our research aims to elucidate how the TME modulates the immune response, potentially uncovering new therapeutic targets.

Translational Imaging Techniques:

  • We employ advanced imaging technologies, including optical imaging, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), and molecular imaging (PET).
  • Our work spans from basic discovery and an understanding of the regulation of signals to clinical application, aiming to improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for NSCLC.

Primary Human Culture Methodologies:

  • We utilise patient-derived NSCLC for research including using fresh digests tissue, organoids, co-cultures and precision cut tumour slices to study stromal biology in NSCLC.
  • Our techniques include high-dimensional flow cytometry, bulk RNA-sequencing, proteomics, and spatial multiparametric immunofluorescence (IFF) microscopy.
  • These methodologies are linked to patient outcomes, providing a greater understanding of tumour biology.

Culture and Environment:

  • Core principles are to create and open and positive research environment to allow people to flourish and thrive. We prioritise a culture of respect, diversity and support and believe this brings with it a wealth of perspectives and ideas.
  • We aim to create a collaborative working environment where all contributions are valued and believe empowering people produces  excellence and drives impactful research

We have several projects in the areas above and area always happy to discuss project with potential Masters or PhD Students.

Current project grants

UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. Fluorescence lifetime imaging signatures for early diagnosis of lung cancer, and its regulation through the adenosine pathway. 2024-2028.
Mellville Trust PhD Studentship. Mechanisms of TIL formation through CAF/T-cell interactions in NSCLC. 2023-2026

As Co-Investigator:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Council. Label-Free Pathological Characterisation of Tissue Histology – Rapid (within seconds) Mutation Prediction in Lung Cancer. Co-applicant, 2024
Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK. Virtual immunohistochemistry staining using deep learning techniques. Co-applicant, 2023.
Wellcome Trust Translation Fund Award. Clinical Validation of Optical Molecular Alveoscopy for the Immediate Bed-Side Diagnosis of Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit. Co-applicant, 2018-22.
EPSRC. Next-Generation Sensing For Human In Vivo Pharmacology- Accelerating Drug Development In Inflammatory Diseases. Co-applicant, 2019-2022.
Cancer Research UK Early Detection and Diagnosis Committee - Primer Award. Towards in-vivo in-situ early lung cancer detection using fluorescence lifetime imaging endomicroscopy: a preliminary study on data-driven characterisation of lung cancer using label-free autofluorescence lifetime images on unstained lung tissue. Co-applicant, 2022.
BHF Centre for Research Excellence Pump Priming Awards. Manufacture of 68Ga-FAPI: a novel tracer for fibrosis activity. Co-applicant, 2019.
Chief Scientist Office. How should Scotland respond to the challenge of lung cancer screening? A mixed-methods feasibility study. Co-applicant, 2020.
EPSRC Programme Grant. U-care: Deep ultraviolet light therapies. 2020. Co-applicant..=
Industrial Grant (BTG and Boston Scientific) 2018-2019. Developing A Flexible Bronschoscopic Catheter For Sensing And Ablation. Co-Applicant.

Past project grants

Cancer Research UK Clinician Scientist Fellowship. Fibroblast Activation Protein Expressing Cancer Associated Fibroblasts From Lung Cancer As Imaging Biomarkers For Immunotherapy Stratification. 2017-2022.

Mathieson L, Koppensteiner L, Dorward DA, O’Connor RA, Akram AR. Cancer-associated fibroblasts expressing fibroblast activation protein and podoplanin in non-small cell lung cancer predict poor clinical outcome. British Journal of Cancer. 2024:1-12. doi.org/10.1038/s41416-024-02671-1

 

Koppensteiner L, Mathieson L, Pattle S, Dorward DA, O'Connor R, Akram AR. Location of CD39+ T cell sub-populations within tumours predict differential outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer 2023;11:e006770. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2023-0067702023

 

O'Connor RA, Roman Martinez B, Koppensteiner L, Mathieson L, Akram AR. Cancer-associated fibroblasts drive CXCL13 production in activated T cells via TGF-beta. Frontiers in Immunology. 2023:14:1221532. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1221532

 

Titmarsh HF, von Kriegsheim A, Wills JC, O'Connor RA, Dhaliwal K, Frame MC, Pattle SB, Dorward DA, Byron A, Akram AR. Quantitative proteomics identifies tumour matrisome signatures in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1194515. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1194515

 

Mathieson L, O’Connor RA, Stewart H, Shaw P, Dhaliwal K, Williams GOS, Megia-Fernandez A & Akram AR. Fibroblast Activation Protein Specific Optical Imaging in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Frontiers in Oncology 12, doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.834350 2022.

 

O’Connor RA, Chauhan V, Mathieson L, Titmarsh H, Koppensteiner L, Young I, Tagliavini G, Dorward DA, Prost S, Dhaliwal K, Wallace W & Akram AR. T cells drive negative feedback mechanisms in cancer associated fibroblasts, promoting expression of co-inhibitory ligands, CD73 and IL-27 in non-small cell lung cancer. OncoImmunology 10, 1940675 2021.

 

Akram AR, Chankeshwara SV, Scholefield E, Aslam T, McDonald N, Megia-Fernandes A, Marshall A, Mills B, Avlonitis N,  Craven TH, Smyth A, Collie DS, Grey C, Hirani N, Hill AT, Govan JR, Walsh T, Haslett C, Bradley M, Dhaliwal K. Immediate In Situ Identification of Gram-negative Bacteria in Human Lungs Using a Topically Administered Fluorescent Peptide Targeted Against Lipid A. Science Translational Medicine, 10 (464), eaal0033, 2018.

Current Group Members

Dr Ahsan Akram- Group Leader, Clinician Scientist.

Dr Layla Mathieson- Postdoctoral Research Associate

Dr Alexander Hunt- Postdoctoral Research Associate

Mr Liam Nielson- PhD Student (primary supervisor)

Ms Ava Russell- PhD Student (primary supervisor)

Dr Adam Peters- CRUK TRACC Clinical Lectureship (co-supervisor)

 

Lab Alumni:

Dr Richard O’Connor (Postdoctoral Research Associate)- Current Position: Senior Scientist in Pandemic Sciences Hub

Dr Lilian Koppenstiener (PhD, Main supervisor, PhD Awarded 2024)- Current Position: Completing Clinical Medical Training in Oncology.

Dr Layla Mathieson (PhD, Main Supervisor, PhD Awarded 2023) - Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate

Dr Helen Titmarsh (PhD, Main Supervisor, PhD Awarded 2020) - Current Position: Practicing Veterinary Clinician.

Dr Susan Fernandes (MRC Clinical Research training Fellow, Co-supervisor, PhD awarded) - Current Position: Consultant in Respiratory Medicine.

Ms Vishwani Chauhan  (Honours Project, 2019)

Ms Emily Jacobs (Honours Project, completed 2022)

Ms Phoebe Jones (Masters Student, completed 2022)

Ms Hannah Grant (Masters Student, completed 2022)

Ms Begona Ramon (Masters Student, 2022-2023)

Ms Hua Wang (Masters Student 2023-2024)

Ms Wenxin Xu (Masters Student 2023-2024)

Ms Ava Russell (Masters Student 2024)

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