Ivan Gout, Professor of Cancer Biochemistry Course Leader
The main focus of my research is the study of basic mechanisms by which cell growth and metabolism are regulated in normal and cancer cells. There are two major areas of interest in my laboratory: a) regulation of cell growth, metabolisma nd porlieration via the mTOR/S6K pathway and b) the role of Coenzyme A and its derivatives in cellular metabolism and gene expression. The development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer is the ultimate goal of our research, which we pursue through collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
I apply my increased understanding of molecular and cellular behaviours to the engineering of living cells for the production of useful metabolites. Research projects feature experimental work coupled with advanced mathematical, computational or statistical approaches or they can be entirely theoretical. I have active collaborations with a range academic groups across an array of disciplines from life sciences, physics, medicine and chemistry, all interested in understanding the molecular basis of cellular behaviours and processes. Collaborative research with analytical, metrology and bio-industrial companies is an important aspect of my work. I am also the Programme Director for the Natural Sciences degrees at UCL, Director of SysMIC and Deputy Director for the London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Training Partnership.
An ideal model organism in which to study ageing is the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans - a species of worm. This species has well-developed genetics, its 97,000,000 base pair genome is fully sequenced, and its life span is a mere 2-3 weeks. Most importantly, numerous mutations have been identified in C. elegans which alter the rate of ageing, with some mutants living more than ten times as long as wild-type worms. It is hoped that by understanding ageing in a simple animal like C. elegans we will be able to unravel the mystery of human ageing, which increases risk of a wide range of diseases, from cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes, to Alzheimer's disease and cancer. A major focus of current work in this laboratory is understanding the genes and biochemical processes by which reduced insulin/IGF-1 signalling and dietary restriction increase lifespan. Other interests include sex differences in the biology of ageing, evolutionary conservation of mechanisms of ageing, and bioethical implications of ageing research.
Close
