Professor Mohini Gray

Investigating the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren’s syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Professor Mohini Gray

Personal Chair in Rheumatology | Consultant Rheumatologist | Dean of Students and Alumni, University of Edinburgh

  • Centre for Inflammation Research

Contact details

Group members

Becca Belmonte, Post-doctoral scientist

Marlene Magalhaes Pinto, Post-doctoral scientist

Co-PhD supervisor for Alfie Sanderson

Co-PhD supervisor for Liam Neilson

Research summary

Professor Mohini Gray is a researcher and consultant rheumatologist at the University of Edinburgh, where she leads a research group investigating the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren’s syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Her work bridges clinical medicine and fundamental immunology to advance understanding of autoimmune disease mechanisms. Her research focuses on understanding how autoimmune B cells drive disease pathogenesis, with the goal of identifying new drug targets. She is currently collaborating with industry to develop a novel therapeutic target for these conditions.

Research Highlights

Professor Gray’s research has made contributions to immunology, particularly in the understanding of autoimmune diseases:

  • Original discoveries: Her team identified a novel role for self-reactive B1a B cells in immune tolerance towards dying cells, challenging established models.
  • Unconventional findings: They demonstrated an anti-inflammatory function of alpha defensins released from necrotic neutrophils, contradicting the traditional view of necrotic cells as danger signals.
  • Advance in RA: Her group discovered a doubling of circulating class-switched double-negative 2 (DN2) B cells in newly diagnosed, untreated RA patients. These cells act as immediate precursors to pathogenic antibody-secreting cells in inflamed synovium.
  • Novel memory B cell subset: Her team recently identified a new subset of B cells present in at least three autoimmune rheumatic diseases, with potential implications for disease pathogenesis.

Clinical Experience

With over two decades of experience as a consultant rheumatologist in Edinburgh, Professor Gray has played a key role in developing and enhancing Scotland’s largest single rheumatology department. Her contributions include:

  • Developing the transitional service for teenagers
  • Overseeing the Connective Tissue Disease (CTD) clinic
  • Leading the early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) service
  • Creating EdRheum.org, a vital resource for patients seeking information and support

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Professor Gray is deeply committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the university and beyond:

  • Active member of the University Race Equality and Anti-Racist (REAR) subcommittee
  • EDI Lead at Edinburgh Medical School (2022–2024)
  • Actively involved in addressing the BaME attainment gap and implementing the BMA Race Charter
  • As Dean of Students and Alumni, she is focused on enhancing the student experience and developing strategies to support widening participation students, ensuring they can reach their full potential

Biographical Profile

  • 1984-1987 BSc (Hons) First Class (Basic Medical Sciences/Immunology) University of London
  • 1987-1990 MBBS University of London (King’s College Medical School) UK (Distinction in Surgery and Todd Medal in Medicine finals)
  • 1993  MRCP (UK), Royal College of Physicians, London
  • 1996-1999 PhD, Immunology, University of London, UK
  • 2002 CCST (UK), Royal College of Physicians

Honours and Awards

  • Career Development Fellowship 2007-2009
  • ARC Clinician Scientist Fellowship 2002-2007
  • ARC Clinical Training Fellowship 1996-1999
  • 2023 CMVM Staff Recognition Award

The following PDF provides a brief visual summary of this group’s current research.

Document

You can view a full catalogue of graphical research summaries for each group in the Centre for Inflammation Research by visiting our Research page.

Visit CIR’s Research page

Alumni

  • Jonathan Heaney (Consultant Rheumatologist)
  • Victor Casanova (Postdoctoral Fellow)
  • Kanchan Phadwal (Postdoctoral Fellow)
  • Gareth Tomlinson (PhD student)
  • Zaneta Sibinska (RA)
  • Kamya Choudhury - PTAS Intern Qualitative Researcher
  • Sarah Shemery- PTAS Intern Qualitative Researcher
  • Jonanthan Costello - MSc student
  • Katherine Miles - Research Assistant & lab manager
  • Catherine Sutherland - PhD student (co-supervisor)
  • Elinor Wing - PhD student

Collaborators

  • Dr Graeme Cowan (Edinburgh University)
  • Dr Thomas Otto (Glasgow University)
  • Prof Carl Goodyear (Glasgow University)
  • Prof Nagasuma Chandra (Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore - 560 012, India)