Tom Curran

The Curran laboratory used molecular Biology, Biochemistry and genetics together with genomics and translational science to elaborate the biomedical understanding of human disease and development. Experimental strategies included mouse disease models, cell culture, human tumor samples, imaging and a range of molecular techniques to understand brain tumors as well as the mechanism of action of anticancer drugs in tumor cells and cancer models. This led to the discovery and elaboration of the roles of the Fos and Jun genes in signal transduction and tumor formation. In addition, the lab discovered and characterised the gene Reln (Reelin) and its role in the formation of laminar structures during brain development. Ultimately, this combined work uncovered a new approach to treatment of the pediatric brain tumor medulloblastoma, based on inhibition of the hedgehog pathway.

Curran has received numerous accolades for his work, including the Passano Young Scientist Award, the Rita Levi Montalcini Award in Neurosciences, the Tenovus Scotland Medal, and the American Association for Cancer Research's Outstanding Achievement Award. He is a member of the UK Royal Society, the US National Academy of Medicine, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, in addition to his American Academy of Arts and Sciences membership. Curran has been listed as a Highly Cited Scientist in three categories by the Institute of Scientific Information, with articles appearing in prominent journals such as Cell, Nature, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Cancer Research, and Science. Curran also served as the President of the American Association for Cancer Research in 2000-1. He has also been outspoken in defense of scientific ethics and moral behaviour in research and medicine.