Neil Johnson

Neil Johnson is an Associate Professor with tenure at Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC), where he leads an NCI R01-funded research program in the Cancer Epigenetics Institute and the Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer (NDC) Program. He is also the Director and Co-Director of the Biological Imaging Facility at FCCC. His research focuses on DNA damage detection, repair, and signaling in BRCA1-mutated cancers, with a strong emphasis on therapy resistance mechanisms involving PARP inhibitors and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Dr. Johnson's educational background includes a BSc in Genetics and Biochemistry and a PhD in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, both from Newcastle University, UK. His expertise lies in bridging molecular mechanisms with therapeutic applications in cancer biology.

His research interests center on BRCA biology, including the role of mutant BRCA proteins in DNA damage response and replication, mechanisms of resistance to PARP and platinum therapies, and the functional characterization of mRNA and protein products from germline BRCA mutations. His lab employs cell biology, mouse genetics, and therapy resistance modeling to uncover fundamental processes in tumorigenesis and treatment sensitivity.

The recent research articles highlight a consistent focus on DNA repair pathways, particularly homologous recombination and alternative repair mechanisms, often in the context of BRCA-deficient cancers. There is a strong trend toward identifying novel therapeutic vulnerabilities, developing small-molecule inhibitors (e.g., targeting Polθ), and understanding resistance mechanisms through structural biology, mouse models, and functional genomics. The work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to translational drug discovery.

Dr. Johnson has received several prestigious awards, including:

• AACR-Aflac Scholar-in-Training Award (2011)
• Claudia-Adams Barr Program in Innovative Cancer Research Award (2012)
• Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst (2013)
• FCCC-UPEN Ovarian SPORE Career Development Award (2013)
• Ovarian Cancer Academy Award, Department of Defense (2014)

He mentors a diverse team of graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and technicians. His lab has produced significant work on BRCA1 functional domains, 'BRCAness' induction, and synthetic lethality. The lab has also developed novel mouse models to study BRCA1 and PALB2 interactions, contributing to both basic science and potential clinical applications. Current projects explore BRCA1-PALB2 interactions, DNA repair rewiring in BRCA1-mutant cancers, and determinants of therapy response in BRCA1-mutated tumors.