Kenneth J Linton

Professor Kenneth J Linton serves as Professor of Protein Biochemistry, Director of Graduate Studies, and Molecular and Cellular Medicine Theme Lead at Queen Mary University of London's Blizard Institute within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. His research focuses on membrane transport proteins and their pathophysiological roles in human disease, with particular expertise in ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters.

His academic foundation includes a BSc in Biological Sciences with honours in Microbiology from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Glasgow. His doctoral work first described the molecular mechanism of antibiotic self-protection via ABC transporters in soil bacteria.

Linton's research program investigates structure-function relationships in membrane transport proteins through:

• Molecular mechanisms of multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein (ABCB1)
• ABCB4/ABCB11 mutations in cholestatic liver disease
• CD36's role in atherosclerosis and obesity
• Fatty acid transport protein function in lipid metabolism
• Protein:protein interactions at plasma membranes

His work integrates structural biology, molecular modeling, and cell biological approaches to elucidate disease mechanisms.

Analysis of his 2018-2024 publications reveals sustained focus on cholestatic liver disease genetics (including South Asian population studies), cancer drug resistance mechanisms involving ABCB1/ABCC3, and CD36's implications in metabolic disorders. Recent work emphasizes translational applications like iPSC-derived hepatocyte models and novel transporter inhibitors.

Professor Linton actively mentors postdoctoral researchers including J.J. Wharton, M. Snippe, J.K. Zolnerciks, E.J. Andress, and T.K. Ritchie, while supervising Masters, PhD, and BMedSci students. His teaching encompasses Cell Biology module coordination for first-year medical students, problem-based learning sessions, and laboratory instruction.

He leads the Membrane Transport Biology research group within the Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, maintaining collaborations with clinicians at Imperial College and King's College London to bridge basic science with clinical applications in liver disease and cancer therapeutics.