Prof James Neil
- Professor of Virology and Molecular Oncology (Centre for Virus Research)
- Associate Academic (School of Veterinary Medicine)
- Associate Academic (Institute of Cancer Sciences)
telephone: 01413302365
email: James.Neil@glasgow.ac.uk
My research group's work stems from a long-standing interest in retroviruses, particularly as agents of cancer (Cancer Cell 2002, 2: 253-5). This work has led to the identification of cellular oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes that are also important in cancers of non-viral etiology. A major focus of our CR-UK/LLR funded programme is the Runx genes, a three-membered family of transcription factors that can be activated by retroviruses in mouse lymphomas but play wider roles as targets for chromosomal translocations in human leukaemia. Paradoxically, the Runx family is also implicated in tumour suppression as shown by loss of function mutations in some human leukaemias (Nature Reviews on Cancer 2005, 5: 376-87). The Runx genes play multiple roles in cell fate determination in normal development and our findings show that they influence key events relevant to cancer including the regulation of apoptosis and senescence (Cancer Research 2006, 66: 2195-201; 2007 11263-71, Oncogene 2009, 28:2502-12). Moreover, we have recently discovered a novel link between the Runx genes and sphingolipid metabolism that appears to be important for their oncogenic effects (Cancer Res 2010, 70, 5860-9) and we are currently exploring these aspects of Runx function in cancer cell survival and maintenance. In parallel, we are continuing to develop insertional mutagenesis as a cancer gene discovery tool (Cancer Res 2007, 67:5126-33) and we are using the power of next generation sequencing to adapt this approach to retroviral mutagenesis of the human genome. This work has also highlighted the intrinsic resistance mechanisms that limit cross-species transfer of retroviruses.
Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.
- New Approaches to Modelling Human Leukaemia
Cancer Research UK
2011 - 2013
- New Approaches to Modelling Human Leukaemia
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research
2011 - 2013
- Centre for Integrated Virology
MRC
2010 - 2015
- XENOME - Super-engineering of the porcine genome for xenotransplantation studies in primates: a step towards clinical application
European Commission
2006 - 2011
- LRF/CRC Molecular Oncology Laboratory
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research
2006 - 2010
- The role of the runx gene family in neoplasia
Cancer Research UK
2006 - 2010
- The Genetics and Biology of t-cell Lymphoma
Cancer Research UK
2004 - 2005
- LRF/CRC Molecular Oncology Laboratory
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research
2001 - 2005
Editorial Board
- 2011 - ongoing: Frontiers in Molecular and Cellular Oncology
Grant Advisory Board
- 2011 - ongoing: Heinrich Pette Institute, Hamburg - External Advisor, SAB
- 2009 - 2009: National Cancer Institute, Frederick, USA - Site Visit
- 2009 - 2010: BBSRC - Pool of Experts
- 2008 - ongoing: Chronic Granulomatous Disease Research Trust - Advisory Group
- 2007 - ongoing: Lady Tata Memorial Trust - Advisory Committee
- 2007 - ongoing: INSERM (France) - Expert Panel
- 2004 - 2005: European Medicines Agency - Expert Advisor
- 2003 - 2008: Association for International Cancer Research - Scientific Advisory Committee
- 1996 - 2005: Department of Health - The Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC)
Invited International Presentations
- 2010: Annecy, France - Fondation Merieux Symposium 'New Trends in Tumor Virology'
- 2010: Turku, Finland - Frontiers of Science Seminar Series
- 2010: Hiroshima, Japan - International Runx Workshop
- 2009: Oxford, UK - International Runx Workshop
- 2008: Paris, France - Canceropole conference on animal models of cancer
- 2008: Toronto, Canada - International Workshop on Retroviral Pathogenesis
- 2008: Cape Cod, USA - International Runx Workshop
- 2007: Singapore - International Runx Workshop
- 2007: Freiburg, Germany - XXIII Symposium of the International Association for Comparative Research on Leukemia & Related Diseases
- 2007: Vienna, Austria - International Workshop on Retroviral Pathogenesis
- 2006: Gettysburg, USA - International Runx Workshop
- 2006: Palm Springs, USA - International Workshop on Retroviral Pathogenesis
- 2005: St Malo, France - International Workshop on Retroviral Pathogenesis
- 2005: Heidelberg, Germany - XXII Symposium of the International Association for Comparative Research on Leukemia & Related Diseases (IACRLRD)
- 2005: Crete, Greece - 8th International Symposium on Molecular Medicine
Professional Learned Society
- 2011 - ongoing: Society of Biology - Fellow
- 1997 - 2007: International Association for Research on Leukaemia & Related Diseases - World Committee
- 1997 - ongoing: Royal Society of Edinburgh - Fellow
