Simon Boulton

Simon Boulton is a distinguished molecular biologist and cancer researcher serving as a Senior Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute and holding an honorary Professorship at University College London. He also serves as Senior Vice President of Science Strategy at Artios Pharma Ltd, which he helped establish in 2016, where he additionally chairs the Scientific Advisory Board and serves on the Executive Board.

His educational background includes:

• Molecular Biology studies at the University of Edinburgh
• PhD at the University of Cambridge with Professor Steve Jackson (Gurdon Institute)
• EMBO and HFSP funded postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard Medical School with Prof. Nick Dyson (MGH Cancer Centre) and Prof. Marc Vidal (Dana Farber Cancer Institute)

Boulton's research focuses on understanding DNA damage response mechanisms, particularly DNA double-strand break repair in both mitotic and meiotic cells. His laboratory employs the complementary experimental strengths of C. elegans and mouse genetics, combined with cell biology and biochemistry approaches. Over his career, his lab has discovered novel DNA repair genes and provided crucial molecular insights into human diseases, especially cancer. His work bridges fundamental biological processes with potential therapeutic applications in oncology.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on genome integrity mechanisms, with particular emphasis on DNA repair pathways, telomere biology, replication stress responses, and the development of novel assays to study these processes. His research increasingly intersects with cancer therapeutics, particularly through his work with Artios Pharma on DNA Damage Response (DDR) target pipelines.

His significant scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

• Member of EMBO
• Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences
• Colworth Medal
• European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) Young Investigator Award
• Eppendorf/Nature Award for Young European Investigators
• Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit award
• EMBO Gold Medal
• Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research
• Royal Society Francis Crick Prize lecture
• Mendel Lecture

Boulton has secured substantial research funding throughout his career, including EMBO and HFSP postdoctoral fellowships, and currently leads a well-funded research group at the Crick Institute. His dual role in academia and industry through Artios Pharma demonstrates a successful translation of basic research into therapeutic development, with the company building an innovative DNA Damage Response (DDR) target pipeline aimed at transforming cancer therapy.

His laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute maintains strong collaborative networks across multiple disciplines, utilizing advanced facilities including proteomics, genomics, bioinformatics, and microscopy resources. The lab's work spans from fundamental DNA repair mechanisms to potential clinical applications, with a particular focus on how failures in DNA repair contribute to cancer and other diseases.