Dr Patrick Pollard

Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics
University of Oxford
Oxford

Investigating a molecular mystery

Based at the University of Oxford, Dr Patrick Pollard is investigating a biological mystery. Researchers have known for several years that faults in a protein called fumarate hydratase can lead to several types of cancer, but it's not clear exactly how this happens. Dr Pollard suspects that a particular 'version' of fumarate hydratase is responsible for causing cancer, and is trying to prove it.

In healthy cells, fumarate hydratase is involved in energy production and is normally found in the cell's 'power stations' (known as mitochondria). But there is an alternative version of the protein, which is found elsewhere in the cell – it's this version that is the prime suspect in cancer.

Dr Pollard is studying the alternative version of fumarate hydratase, to find out if it really is responsible for causing cancer. His work will help to solve this mystery, and could potentially lead to new treatments for cancers linked to the faulty protein.