Ruth Palmer

Ruth Palmer is a Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Gothenburg and a Wallenberg Scholar. Her research focuses on the ALK receptor and its role in developmental signaling and cancer pathogenesis, particularly neuroblastoma and lung cancer.

• Investigated ALK signaling mechanisms in Drosophila, zebrafish, and mice
• Contributed to ALK-inhibitor therapies for pediatric neuroblastoma
• Developing proteomics assays to detect ALK activity in clinical tumor samples

The ALK receptor (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) is central to her work, with uncontrolled activation driving 10% of neuroblastoma cases and higher rates in relapsed patients. Her studies employ genetically modified animal models combined with molecular profiling to identify key signaling pathways and potential therapeutic combinations.