14th August 2019

The Beatson Institute is delighted to welcome Dr Payam Gammage as a Junior Group Leader. Payam joins the Institute from the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge where he developed methods to manipulate mitochondrial DNA and applied them to study mitochondrial dysfunction in cell and animal models.

Mutations of mitochondrial DNA are found in the majority of all solid tumours, often at levels that should be capable of impairing the normal function of the mitochondria, which are described as the 'powerhouse' of the cell. Mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer is associated with a switch in the cell's energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, however the contribution of mtDNA mutations to this process is not yet clear. Payam's group here at the Beatson will be investigating the role of the mitochondrial genome in human cancer. With the eventual aim of identifying new therapies for cancers bearing mutations in their mitochondrial DNA, the lab is particularly interested in studying their role in carcinogenesis as well as tumour formation and metastasis.

Payam has said 'I am genuinely thrilled to be joining the CRUK Beatson Institute. This place offers an amazing blend of expertise, resources and friendly, collaborative environment that it's fantastic to become a part of'