Dr Clare Turnbull

Dr Turnbull leads the Predisposition and Translational Genetics Team which applies molecular genetic technologies and genetic epidemiologic techniques to identify and characterise genetic factors that predispose to cancer.  

She has performed studies of genetic predisposition in a number of cancers, but focuses particularly on testicular, breast and ovarian cancer. Recent studies include several genome-wide association studies which have identified genomic variants common in the general population that are associated with risk of breast, testicular and renal cancer (Wilms tumour).  

Currently, one of her major focuses is the optimisation and application of new ‘next-generation’ sequencing technologies and downstream analyses of these data in order to identify novel cancer predisposition genes.  

Dr Turnbull leads the UK Genetics of Testicular Cancer Study, through which she has collected samples and data from almost 4,000 men with testicular germ cell tumour – the largest such series in the world. Through experiments using these samples, all eight common genetic variants associated with testicular cancer have been identified here at the ICR. Dr Turnbull is still recruiting to this study and a number of experiments using this sample series are underway. She is an internationally recognised expert, speaker and collaborator in the field of the genetics of testicular cancer.

Her research also focuses on translation of the findings of such research to deliver improvements in clinical care. For example, her recent studies in ovarian cancer have led to the identification of a new ovarian cancer predisposition gene, for which clinical testing will soon be available for individuals and families with ovarian cancer.   

With the support of the Wellcome Trust, she is currently working with Professor Nazneen Rahman on a complex translational programme to transform the delivery of clinical testing for cancer predisposition genes, using revolutionary genetic technologies to bring extensive genetic testing to many more patients in the oncology clinics.

Dr Clare Turnbull undertook her preclinical training in Cambridge and qualified in medicine from Oxford University in 1997. She undertook general medical training across hospitals in Oxford and London and specialist training in clinical genetics in London. She completed a Masters degree in Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a PhD in Genetic Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics at The Institute of Cancer Research.

As well as scientific work at the ICR, Dr Turnbull is a consultant in clinical cancer genetics at The Royal Marsden Hospital. In her clinical role, Dr Turnbull evaluates, investigates and manages individuals and families in which the pattern of disease suggests that there may be inherited predisposition to cancer. 

She is also involved in developing evidence-based clinical guidance for management of genetic predisposition to cancer for use within and outside the unit.Dr Turnbull is very active in the clinical cancer genetics community across London and nationally, working to improve standards in delivery of care in this field.