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RNA Biology and Molecular Therapeutics Group

Dr Paul Clarke’s Group is a key part of the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery and focuses on the mechanisms of molecular cancer therapies and particularly targeting the addiction or dependency of cancer cells on RNA binding proteins or their complexes.

Group leader

Dr Paul Clarke

Dr Paul Clarke

Dr Paul Clarke is the leader of the RNA Biology and Molecular Therapeutics Group and is a highly experienced molecular and cellular biologist with many years’ experience of collaborative project-based drug discovery.

ORCID 0000-0001-9342-1290

Group members

Dr Marissa Powers
Dr Marissa Powers
Staff Scientist +44 20 3437 6262

I have expertise in the genetic manipulation of cells, alongside the use of chemical tools to determine the molecular pharmacology of novel therapeutic agents and the identification of mechanistic and predictive biomarkers. My research focuses on the therapeutic targeting of the cancer cell stress response and included the discovery of the clinically active HSP90 inhibitor luminespib (AUY922).

Toby Roe
Toby Roe
Senior Scientific Officer +44 20 3437 6289

I am an experienced molecular and cell biologist, supporting the research aims of the team within the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery. My research is currently focused on the discovery of inhibitors of RNA processing.

Dr Swee Sharp
Dr Swee Sharp
Honorary Appointment

I am helping to identify and develop innovative targeted cancer drugs, and understand their molecular pharmacology and mechanism of action. I was involved in the discovery of HSP90 inhibitors, including luminespib (AUY922), which shows activity in drug-resistant breast and lung cancers. I am currently a member of a collaborative team with a Pharma partner identifying WNT-pathway inhibitors.

Kate Swabey
Kate Swabey
Higher Scientific Officer +44 20 3437 6290

I am an experienced cell biologist funded by the Kidani trust to translate our team’s research into ovarian cancer models.

Dr Robert Te Poele
Senior Scientific Officer +44 20 8722 4319

I have been involved in several drug development projects that discovered small molecule inhibitors of PI3K and WNT signalling. I am currently part of the project team developing inhibitors of the cancer cell stress response. My research focusses on gene expression profiling techniques to help understand the mechanism of action of compounds, molecular determinants of sensitivity and markers of drug response.

Reiss Clifford
PhD Student
Rachel Cooley
PhD Student
Dr Sabrina D'Agostino
Higher Scientific Officer T +44 20 3437 3548
Dr Caitlin Davies
Higher Scientific Officer T +44 20 3437 6982
Aiden Doyle
Scientific Officer T +44 20 3437 6885
Jill Hanmore
Executive Assistant T +44 20 8722 4308
Dr Steve Hobbs
Postdoctoral Training Fellow T +44 20 3437 6217
Debarati Sethi
Senior Scientific Officer T +44 20 8722 4498
Maseeh Wafa
Scientific Officer T +44 20 3437 6143