Mr Ian Tomlinson

Mr Tomlinson is a clinician scientist and cancer geneticist. His work is centred around the discovery and analysis of cancer-causing genes, particularly inherited genetic variants that increase the likelihood of developing cancer. Building upon these findings, his research extends to investigating disease mechanisms in model systems and exploring the evolution of cancer. Notable achievements in his work include the identification of multiple Mendelian colorectal and kidney cancer predisposition genes. This has led to the identification and characterisation of various mechanisms of tumorigenesis, including the activation of mTOR signalling and the failure of DNA polymerase proofreading. He has also spearheaded collaborative efforts that have identified numerous polymorphisms influencing the risk of colorectal, endometrial, and oesophageal cancers. This work has unveiled crucial mechanisms of tumour predisposition, most notably the significant influence of variations in bone morphogenetic protein signalling on colorectal cancer risk. His research in cancer evolution encompasses both mathematical models and experimental analyses. He has dedicated significant attention to the role of selection in the Darwinian process of carcinogenesis, identifying several driver mutations subject to selective constraints. Consequently, he has identified new models of cancer evolution, the most prominent being the "just right" model, which is based on the selection for an optimal, intermediate level of pathway activation in tumours.