K.J. Patel

Professor K.J. Patel is the Director of the Weatherall Institute for Molecular Medicine and the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit at the University of Oxford, and serves as Chief Scientist for Cancer Research UK (CRUK). He trained in medicine in London and spent much of his research career at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, focusing on genomic instability and its role in stem cell biology, particularly blood-forming stem cells.

A key area of his research examines the damaging effects of alcohol and formaldehyde on DNA. His studies have shown how acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism, and formaldehyde, both endogenous and environmental, can lead to DNA damage, increasing the risk of cancer. Patel has also uncovered the role of endogenous formaldehyde, a naturally occurring compound in the body, in aging and disease. His work demonstrated that when the body fails to repair DNA damage caused by formaldehyde, it accelerates aging processes, contributing to conditions like Cockayne syndrome, a genetic disorder marked by premature aging and neurodegeneration.

Previously a Professor of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Genomics at the University of Cambridge, Patel's research has significantly advanced the understanding of DNA repair mechanisms in cancer and genetic disorders. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci), and a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). His work continues to drive forward the translation of molecular discoveries into new therapies for cancer, blood diseases, and age-related disorders.