Luke Boulter

Luke Boulter is a Reader and Cancer Research UK Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, affiliated with the Institute of Genetics and Cancer and the MRC Human Genetics Unit. His research focuses on Wnt signaling in liver tissue repair and cancer progression.

• BSc (Hons) in Molecular Cell Biology – University of York (2004)
• PhD – University of Edinburgh (2011)

Luke’s lab investigates how Wnt signaling regulates liver regeneration, bile duct development, and cholangiocarcinoma. Key themes include:

• Canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathway dynamics
• Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in disease
• Therapeutic targeting of signaling networks

His recent publications highlight work on:

• Biliary tree patterning (2024)
• TGFβ-ECM-integrin axis in polycystic liver disease (2023)
• CRISPR-based genetic heterogeneity analysis in cholangiocarcinoma (2022)

Scientific awards include:

• Cancer Research UK Fellowship
• Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship

Current projects funded by MRC, CRUK, UKRI, and Chief Scientist Office focus on repatterning cystic environments, targeting tumor-initiating cells, and pharmacological Wnt modulation.