Neil McDonald

Neil McDonald is a Professor of Structural Biology at Birkbeck, University of London, with a joint position at the Francis Crick Institute. He holds a PhD from Birkbeck College under Tom Blundell and completed postdoctoral training at Columbia University under Wayne Hendrickson. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of growth factor signaling, protein kinase activation, and oncology therapeutic targets. He has pioneered structural studies on proteins like NGF, CNTF, and RET kinase. Key findings include ligand-induced allosteric changes in EGFR and structural insights into Fanconi anemia pathways. His work integrates structural biology with drug discovery, particularly targeting RET kinase mutations in cancers. Collaborations span institutions like Columbia University, Cancer Research UK, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Teaching includes modules on Molecular Cell Biology and Human Disease.

Research interests emphasize membrane-linked proteins, Rho effector kinases, and the RPEL motif’s role in actin binding. Recent projects explore RET kinase inhibitors for cancer and mechanisms of cell polarity regulation via aPKC and Par6 systems. His lab’s structural biology contributions underpin understanding of disease pathways and therapeutic design.