Prof Jim Neil

Molecular Oncology Laboratory
University of Glasgow
Glasgow

Investigating the faulty genes in leukaemia

Professor Jim Neil is an expert in the faulty genes at the heart of leukaemia – cancer of white blood cells. He and his team at the University of Glasgow are investigating a family of genes called RUNX, which are involved in the development of healthy blood cells, but can also drive the growth of leukaemia if they are faulty.

The RUNX genes are unusual, because as well as driving the growth of cancer, they can also stop it from developing. Professor Neil and his team are trying to understand this ‘split personality’, unravelling exactly how the genes carry out these different roles. The researchers are aiming to find ways to target the RUNX genes in leukaemia, which could ultimately lead to new treatments for the disease.