Margaret Frame

Margaret Frame is Professor of Cancer Research and Director of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh. She previously served as Director of the CRUK Edinburgh Cancer Centre and Dean of Research in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. With over 180 research outputs and leadership of 90 research projects (6 active, 84 finished), her work focuses on cell adhesion networks in cancer, particularly the regulation and role of adhesion-linked tyrosine kinases like Src and FAK.

Her research interests center on understanding how cell adhesion networks influence cancer progression, with specific focus on the Src/FAK signaling axis. Her team investigates how these pathways regulate epithelial plasticity, EMT, tissue architecture disruption, self-renewing properties, therapy resistance, invasion and metastasis. Recent work has expanded to include the role of integrin signaling in autophagy regulation within advanced cancer cells, revealing novel mechanisms of cancer cell survival. Her laboratory combines proteomics, cell and molecular biology techniques, advanced imaging, and cancer models to develop new approaches to cancer therapeutics.

Analysis of her recent publications shows a strong focus on glioblastoma research, particularly investigating drug combinations targeting FAK and MEK to overcome tumor heterogeneity. Her work demonstrates how targeting adhesion-related pathways can address therapeutic resistance in brain cancers. The research employs sophisticated approaches including CRISPR/Cas9 screening, high-content imaging, and patient-derived cancer cell models to identify context-dependent vulnerabilities in cancer cells.

Scientific Awards:

• Tenovus Medal (1999)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2002)
• EMBO Member (2007)
• Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (2009)
• Chancellor's prize for Research (awarded by HRH The Princess Royal)
• OBE in the Queen's Honours List (2018) for services to cancer research

Professor Frame has secured substantial funding from Cancer Research UK (including five successive Programme grants), the European Research Council (Advanced Investigator Grant), Medical Research Council, and the Brain Tumour Charity. She actively supports early-career researchers, with the Institute of Genetics and Cancer hosting 25 early-career Chancellor's Fellows, 20 of whom have secured personal fellowships or substantial grant funding. Her leadership extends to serving as co-Chair of the Academy of Medical Sciences Careers Committee, member of the Lister Institute Scientific Advisory Committee, Wellcome Trust Expert Review Group, and ERC Funding Panel.

Her research group operates within the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, utilizing advanced imaging technologies including optical observation windows for direct quantitative imaging of tumor/host interactions. Collaborations span multiple institutions including CRUK Beatson Institute, King's College London, University of Glasgow, and international partners in Germany. The lab combines molecular biology, proteomics, and cutting-edge imaging approaches to study cancer cell behavior in complex 3D environments.