DUNKEL Leo

Leo Dunkel, MD

Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Endocrinology, London, United Kingdom

Title

Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology

Roles

Clinician, Clinical Investigator

Research Interests

Current focus in Professor Dunkel's group is in utilising novel cell models to interrogate the genetic factors underlying the regulation of growth and the timing of sexual maturation through the GnRH neuronal network. In these studies we will generate induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines to study neuronal development and differentiation to GnRH neurons in patient cohorts with disorders of sexual maturation (constitutional delay in growth and puberty (CDGP), Kallmann Syndrome and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism). This platform will act as a basis to study changes in neuronal maturation whilst genetically manipulating candidate gene expression in patient generated iPSC versus controls. We are currently also performing exome sequencing in a large, well-characterized population of patients with CDGP, which will be compared to existing GWAS cohorts containing informative phenotypic data on growth and timing of puberty. We aim to combine these technologies to inform our approach to unravelling the cellular biochemistry underlying the neuroendocrine control of sexual maturation.

Clinical Expertise

His clinical practice covers the spectrum of reproductive and paediatric endocrinology.

Publications

Click HERE to see his publications in Researchgate.net

Website

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