Dr Andrew Pierce

Lecturer (Teaching & Research)

a.pierce@bangor.ac.uk

Dr Pierce has an extensive research background in haemopoietic stem cell biology with a special interest in the myeloid leukaemias. Having undertaken a systematic analysis of leukaemogenic protein tyrosine kinases using systems biology approaches and advanced mass spectrometry techniques (iTRAQ, SILAC, SWATH, proteogenomics and phosphopeptide analysis) he identified common effectors driving multiple leukaemias. Targeting these disrupted pathways in primary patient material and in in vivo model systems he was able to demonstrate their potential as novel treatment strategies. Much of this work included repurposing drugs with the explicit aim of improving leukaemia patient outcomes. Repurposing drugs bypasses many of the hurdles present in drug development, such as toxicity and pharmacodynamic profiling markedly reducing the time and cost to advance new treatments to the clinic. His work has also shown that mRNA level changes do not correspond to protein level changes in response to oncogene expression and that modulation of the mRNA export complex, THOC, can in part explain this phenomenon. This work is presently being expanded into research on alternative splicing in cancer, both via mutation of proteins involved in RNA splicing and as a response to radiotherapy in the context of DNA damage. Using his expertise in proteomics and ability to lead multidisciplinary teams Dr Pierce has also driven research projects in cancer biomarker discovery. All of Dr Pierce鈥檚 research is ultimately aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Location: Brambell, Room 412

Email: a.pierce@bangor.ac.uk

Current Position: Lecturer, Medical and Health Sciences

Other external Positions: Honorary Lecturer, Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester

Teaching

Programme lead for Genomics and Precision Medicine MSc.

Module coordinator for MSE-4080, Bioinformatics and Genomic data.

Module coordinator for MSE-4081, Omics Techniques and Technologies.

Module coordinator for MSE-4083, Genomics and Cancer.

Supervision

Supervision of PhD, MSc and MRes students.

Other roles

External and internal viva voce examiner

Research Impact

Developing cancer therapies that eradicate cancer stem cells and cure the disease is hugely challenging which is exemplified in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, an advanced paradigm of cancer stem cell research. Dr Pierce has published a true 鈥樷�檅ench to bedside鈥欌�� study (Nature, 2016. PMID:聽27281222) where a proteomic screen of primary leukaemic progenitor cells led to the identification of a potential cure for chronic myeloid leukaemia which entered a phase 2 clinical trial (CRUK/17/016 TASTER). Similar approaches have led to the identification of potential treatments for Polycythemia vera (Leukemia, 2017. PMID:聽28533538), Juvenile Myelomonocytic leukemia (JPR, 2020. PMID:聽31657576), and Chronic Myeloid leukemia (PlosOne, 2022. PMID:聽35358275). A further study (Hemasphere 2019. PMID:聽31723838) reporting the potential of repurposing the drug BGB324 for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms prompted the company developing the drug, in clinical trial for several solid tumours, to investigate its potential in in vivo models of myeloproliferative neoplasm (Hemasphere, 2021. PMID:聽34396051). This study concluded that BGB324 warrants clinical investigation for the treatment of MPN.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in high-income countries and the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide. Early detection is key to ensuring good clinical outcomes and a non-invasive detection tool would transform patient care.聽 Dr Pierce has published research (Cancers, 2021. PMID:聽34359700 PMID:聽33578729) which has identified potential biomarkers in urine and plasma that are undergoing validation as a patient friendly endometrial cancer detection test.

I am willing to supervise a PhD

2024

  • Published
    Njoku, K., Pierce, A., Chiasserini, D., Geary, B., Campbell, A. E., Kelsall, J., Reed, R., Geifman, N., Whetton, A. D. & Crosbie, E. J., Apr 2024, In: eBioMedicine. 102, p. 105064
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2023

  • Published
    Pearson, S., Blance, R., Yan, F., Hsieh, Y.-C., Geary, B., Amaral, F. M. R., Somervaille, T. C. P., Kirschner, K., Whetton, A. D. & Pierce, A., 30 May 2023, In: PLoS ONE. 18, 5, 16 p., 0286412.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Njoku, K., Pierce, A., Geary, B., Campbell, A. E., Kelsall, J., Reed, R., Armit, A., Da Sylva, R., Zhang, L., Agnew, H., Baricevic-Jones, I., Chiasserini, D., Whetton, A. D. & Crosbie, E. J., 18 May 2023, In: British Journal of Cancer. 128, 9, p. 1723-1732 10 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Polenkowski, M., Allister, A. B., Burbano de Lara, S., Pierce, A., Geary, B., El Bounkari, O., Wiehlmann, L., Hoffmann, A., Whetton, A. D., Tamura, T. & Tran, D. D. H., 20 Jan 2023, In: iScience. 26, 1, 105784.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2022

  • Published
    Pearson, S., D. Whitton, A. & Pierce, A., 31 Mar 2022, In: PLoS ONE. 17, 3, 11 p., e0266298.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Maiques-Diaz, A., Nicosia, L., Basma, N. J., Romero-Camarero, I., Camera, F., Spencer, G. J., Amaral, F. M. R., Simeoni, F., Wingelhofer, B., Williamson, A. J. K., Pierce, A., Whetton, A. D. & Somervaille, T. C. P., 28 Oct 2022, In: Oncogene. 41, 44, p. 4841-4854 14 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2021

  • Published
    Njoku, K., Chiasserini, D., Geary, B., Pierce, A., Jones, E. R., Whetton, A. & Crosbie, E., 23 Jul 2021, In: Cancers.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Njoku, K., Campbell, A. E., Geary, B., MacKintosh, M. L., Derbyshire, A. E., Kitson, S. J., Sivalingam, V. N., Pierce, A., Whetton, A. D. & Crosbie, E. J., 10 Feb 2021, In: Cancers. 13, 4, p. 718 1 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2020

  • Published
    Paredes, R., Schneider, M., Pearson, S., Teng, H. Y., Kelly, J. R., Pierce, A., Somervaille, T. C. P., Whetton, A. D. & Meyer, S., 2020, In: Molecular Biology Reports. 47, 10, p. 8293-8300 8 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Paredes, R., Kelly, J., Geary, B., Almarzouq, B., Schneider, M., Pearson, S., Narayanan, P., Williamson, A., Lovell, S., Wiseman, D., Chadwick, J., Jones, N. J., Kustikova, O., Schambach, A., Garner, T., Amaral, F., Pierce, A., Stevens, A., Somervaille, T., Whetton, A. & Meyer, S., 20 Oct 2020, In: Cell Death and Disease. 11
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Alanazi, B., Munje, C. R., Rastogi, N., Williamson, A. J. K., Taylor, S., Hole, P. S., Hodges, M., Doyle, M., Baker, S., Gilkes, A. F., Knapper, S., Pierce, A., Whetton, A. D., Darley, R. L. & Tonks, A., 2020, In: Leukemia. 34, 2, p. 427-440 14 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2019

  • Published
    Pearson, S., Blance, R., Somervaille, T., Whetton, A. & Pierce, A., 24 Apr 2019, In: HemaSphere.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Taylor, S., Littler, S., Sloss, O., Geary, B., Pierce, A. & Whetton, A., 28 Aug 2019, In: Open Biology.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Pearson, S., Guo, B., Pierce, A., Azadbakht, N., Brazzatti, J. A., Patassini, S., Mulero-navarro, S., Meyer, S., Flotho, C., Gelb, B. D. & Whetton, A. D., 2019, In: Journal of Proteome Research.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2018

  • Published
    Paredes, R., Schneider, M., Stevens, A., White, D. J., Williamson, A. J. K., Muter, J., Pearson, S., Kelly, J. R., Connors, K., Wiseman, D. H., Chadwick, J. A., L枚ffler, H., Teng, H. Y., Lovell, S., Unwin, R., van聽de聽Vrugt, H. J., Smith, H., Kustikova, O., Schambach, A., Somervaille, T. C. P., Pierce, A., Whetton, A. D. & Meyer, S., 1 Jun 2018, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 46, 15, p. 7662-7674 13 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2017

  • Published
    Meyer, S., Stevens, A., Paredes, R., Schneider, M., Walker, M. J., Williamson, A. J. K., Gonzalez-Sanchez, M.-B., Smetsers, S., Dalal, V., Teng, H. Y., White, D. J., Taylor, S., Muter, J., Pierce, A., de Leonibus, C., Rockx, D. A. P., Rooimans, M. A., Spooncer, E., Stauffer, S., Biswas, K., Godthelp, B., Dorsman, J., Clayton, P. E., Sharan, S. K. & Whetton, A. D., 2017, In: Cell Death and Disease. 8, 6, p. e2875-e2875
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    S, P., AJK, W., R, B., TCP, S., S, T., N, A., AD, W. & A, P., 1 Dec 2017, In: Leukemia. 31
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2016

  • Published
    A, D., DN, P., MJ, W., OJ, G., C, P., M, H., AJ, W., Pierce, A., A, P., RD, U., S, K., V, S. & AD, W., 2016, In: Oncotarget.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    SA, A., LE, H., E, C., ME, D., K, D., AJ, W., K, K., P, B., LE, P., MT, S., F, P., Pierce, A., M, C., C, N., SM, G., D, V., AD, W. & TL, H., 2016, In: Nature. 534, p. 341-346
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    PA, C., EJ, C., M, A.-O., M, W., R, H., M, P., R, S., L, J., R, B., A, P. & AD, W., 2016, In: BMJ Open Respiratory Research.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    AD, W., NC, A., S, P., E, J., L, Z., R, B., AC, K., A, N., S, T., AJ, W. & A, P., 2016, In: Oncotarget.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2015

  • Published
    M, A.-O., Pierce, A., F, P., AJ, W., MT, S., MJ, W., TL, H. & AD, W., 2015, In: Natur Protocols.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2014

  • Published
    C, Z., MJ, W., AJ, W., A, P., C, B., C, D. & AD, W., 15 Dec 2014, In: Bioinformatics. p. 549-558
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    DD, T., S, S., AJ, W., Pierce, A., O, D.-B., L, W., A, K., AD, W. & T, T., 2014, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 42, 19
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    F, P., MT, S., GV, H., LE, H., EK, A., M, A.-O., M, C., A, P., BJ, H., AD, W. & TL, H., 18 Aug 2014, In: Stem Cells. 32, 9, p. 2324-2337
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2013

  • Published
    F, G., A, P., MB, G. S., M, S., SA, A., TL, H., DD, T., T, T. & AD, W., 3 Oct 2013, In: Leukemia. 27, p. 932-940
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    AJ, W., A, P., E, J., C, Z., M, A.-O., L, L., RD, U., SA, A., MJ, W., S, C., E, S., TL, H. & AD, W., 1 Nov 2013, In: Molecular and Cellular Proteomics. 3319 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    DJ, W., RD, U., E, B., A, P., HY, T., J, M., B, G., TD, S., J, G., S, L., TC, S., R, D., AD, W. & S, M., 12 Jun 2013, In: PLoS ONE.
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Pierce, A., AD, W., S, M., F, R.-K., G, B., KR, C., N, Z. & S, K., 11 Apr 2013, In: Proteomics. 13, 14, p. 2216-2224
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2012

  • Published
    F, G., AJ, W., S, T., DN, P., E, S., A, P. & AD, W., 12 Jun 2012, In: Journal of Proteomics. 77, p. 14-26
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Pierce, A., Williamson, A., Jaworska, E., Griffiths, J. R., Taylor, S., Walker, M., Aspinall O'Dea, M., Spooncer, E., Unwin, R. D., Poolman, T., Ray, D. & Whetton, A. D., 2012, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 6
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2010

  • Published
    CF, L., S, G., E, R.-S., A, P., RD, U., E, J., CA, E., S, J. G. & AD, W., 2 Sept 2010, In: Proteomics. 10, 18, p. 3321-3342
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    E, D., C, G., RW, F., RD, U., JR, G., A, P., AD, W. & H, W., Nov 2010, In: Stem Cell Research. 5, 3, p. 226-243
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2009

  • Published
    L, C., A, P., M, R., MB, G. S., HG, H., L, Z., T, T. & AD, W., Feb 2009, In: Cellular Signalling. 21, 2, p. 309-316
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2008

  • Published
    Pierce, A., RD, U., CA, E., S, G., L, C., L, Z., E, J., CF, L., D, B., MJ, O., CJ, M., DA, B., E, S. & AD, W., 1 May 2008, In: Molecular and Cellular Proteomics. 7, 5, p. 853-863
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Pierce, A., L, C., HG, H., JR, G., L, Z., BA, W., MB, G. S., T, T., D, S. & AD, W., 15 Apr 2008, In: British Journal of Haematology. 141, 5, p. 641-650
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2006

  • Published
    L, M., S, P., N, P., B, P., A, P., AD, W. & AE, I., 2006, In: Blood. p. 1716-1723
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Pierce, A., Y, L., HG, H., S, T., PJ, O.-L., AD, W. & E, S., 31 Mar 2006, In: British Journal of Haematology. 133, 3, p. 345-352
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    RD, U., DL, S., D, B., CL, W., CJ, M., CA, E., E, J., SA, B., K, B., A, P., E, S. & AD, W., 15 Jun 2006, In: Blood. 107, 12, p. 4687-4694
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    N, U.-D., Pierce, A., SE, T., D, X., AD, W. & PJ, O.-L., 13 Feb 2006, In: British Journal of Haematology. 132, 6, p. 774-783
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2005

  • Published
    HG, H., Pierce, A., WA, S., C, P. D., A, G., A, I., E, S. & AD, W., 18 Aug 2005, In: Leukemia. p. 1851-1853
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    RD, U., DW, S., Y, L., A, P., DG, G. & AD, W., Feb 2005, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 280, 8, p. 6316-6326
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Pierce, A., RD, U., A, P., RB, W., DW, S. & AD, W., 1 Jul 2005, In: Molecular and Cellular Proteomics. 4, 7
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2004

  • Published
    D, X., Pierce, A., N, U.-D., AD, W. & PJ, O.-L., Feb 2004, In: Cellular Signalling. 16, 2, p. 145-156
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    CA, E., R, T., D, B., A, P., J, S., Y, L., HG, H., A, G., CP, D., SJ, G., E, S. & AD, W., 15 May 2004, In: Blood. p. 3751-3759
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2003

  • Published
    C, L., CA, E., E, S., A, P., R, M. & AD, W., 3 Sept 2003, In: British Journal of Haematology. 122, 6, p. 985-995
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    AD, W., Y, L., A, P., L, C. & E, S., 15 Oct 2003, In: Blood. 102, 8, p. 2798-2802
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2002

  • Published
    Pierce, A., E, S., S, A. & AD, W., 2002, In: Oncogene. 21, p. 3068-3075
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    DL, S., CA, E., A, P., SJ, G. & AD, W., 1 Nov 2002, In: Molecular and Cellular Proteomics. 1, 11, p. 876-884
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    CA, E., S, A., A, P. & AD, W., 1 Nov 2002, In: Blood. 100, 9, p. 3164-3174
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2001

  • Published
    Pierce, A., DL, S., LV, J., AD, W. & E, S., 2001, In: The Hematology Journal. 2, 4, p. 257-264
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

2000

  • Published
    Pierce, A., E, S., S, W., C, D., JM, F., J, M., PJ, O.-L., TM, D. & AD, W., 16 Nov 2000, In: Oncogene. 19, p. 5487-5497
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    AM, B., R, M., A, P., GS, L., N, R., JA, M. & AD, W., 1 Oct 2000, In: Molecular Medicine. 6, p. 892-902
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    JM, F., CM, H., E, S., A, P., TM, D. & AD, W., Dec 2000, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 275, 50, p. 39137-39145
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

1999

  • Published
    CA, E., Pierce, A., SA, W., E, S., CM, H. & AD, W., 1 Sept 1999, In: Blood. 94, 5, p. 1504-1514
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    H, C., Pierce, A. & T, W., Dec 1999, In: Chinese Journal of Cancer Research. 11, p. 245-248
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

1998

  • Published
    Pierce, A., CM, H., SE, N., E, S., TM, D., JM, L., PJ, O.-L., G, W. & AD, W., 23 Mar 1998, In: Journal of Cell Biology. 140, 6, p. 1511-1518
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Pierce, A., AD, W., PJ, O.-L., J, T., E, S., TM, D. & CM, H., 15 Mar 1998, In: Journal of Cell Science. p. 815-823
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review
  • Published
    Pierce, A., PJ, O.-L., E, S., TM, D. & AD, W., 10 Aug 1998, In: Oncogene. 17, p. 667-672
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

1997

  • Published
    Pierce, A. & AD, W., 1 May 1997, In: Biochemical Society Transactions. 25, 2, p. 366-370
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

1996

  • Published
    Evans, C. A. & Pierce, A., 1996, Blood Cell Biochemistry: Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors and Their Receptors. Whetton, A. D. & Gordon, J. (eds.). Boston, MA: Springer US, p. 99-120 22 p.
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding 鈥� Chapter 鈥� peer-review

1995

  • Published
    RC, C., GS, L., PJ, O.-L., A, P. & AD, W., 1 Dec 1995, In: Blood. 86, 11, p. 4270-4277
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

1992

  • Published
    Pierce, A., M, L., IN, H., GJ, C. & JT, G., 25 Feb 1992, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 267, 6, p. 3894-3900
    Research output: Contribution to journal 鈥� Article 鈥� peer-review

  • 01/10/2022 鈥� 31/03/2024 (Finished)

GRANTS AWARDED

2020-2023听听听 Fanconi Hope (92K). Investigations into Proton Beam Therapy in Fanconi Anaemia (CoI).

2019-2022听听听 Bloodwise (拢300K). Eradication of the leukaemic clone in myeloproliferative neoplasms (PI).

2019-2021听听听 FRGS, MASTIC (35K). The antileukemic activity and mechanisms of action of Lignosus rhinocerotis (CoI).

2013-2018 聽聽 Leukaemia Lymphoma Research (拢1.8M). Application of advanced protein technologies to identify common treatment targets for myeloid leukaemias (CoI).

2016-2016 聽聽 ISSF Strategic Awards in Precision Medicine (拢15K). Developing a plasma-based biomarker for the early identification and stratification of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease (CoI).

2016-2016 聽聽 BloodWise summer studentship (1.5K). CD45 in myeloproliferative neoplasms (PI).

2015-2017听听听 Manchester Royal Infirmary MD studentship (拢268K). Assessment of abnormal signal pathway activation in acute myeloid leukaemia characterised by FLT3/ITD: application to treatment design and monitoring (CoI).

Contributions to the Scientific community

Dr Pierce regularly reviews grant applications for international funding bodies and manuscripts for a wide range of internationally renowned journals such as EMBO, Blood, Molecular Cellular Proteomics and Oncogene. He has also served as external Ph.D. examiner. Dr Pierce has collaborated widely both nationally and internationally having published research manuscripts with groups from amongst others Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Cardiff, Hanover, Frieberg, Houston and New York.

Work Biography

Previous Positions

2005 鈥� 2022聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Research Fellow, Stem Cell and Leukaemia Proteomics Laboratories University of Manchester

1998 - 2005聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Research Fellow, Cellular Development Unit, UMIST

1992 - 1998聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Research Associate, Cellular Development Unit, UMIST

Education

1989 - 1992聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 PhD: The cloning and sequencing of plasma membrane Heparan Sulphate Proteoglycans. Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Manchester.