21 November 2013
Genetics expert to speak on colorectal cancer
An expert in population genetics, gene mapping and understanding inherited genetic disease will be giving a public
lecture on the genetics and biology of colorectal cancer at the University of Auckland next Tuesday.
Sir Walter Bodmer is visiting Auckland from England to attend a research symposium on an Initiative for Complex
Biological Systems (ICBS) at the University of Auckland. His public lecture (see details below) will cover drug
responses, stem cells and differentiation for colorectal cancer.
His research is focused on the fundamental genetics and biology of colorectal cancer, including cancer stem cells and
their differentiation, as well as their potential applications, including the analysis of drug response in relation to
tumour properties.
He also researches the characterisation and population distribution of genetic diversity in the populations of the
British Isles with a current focus on establishing the genetic basis of a variety of normal human traits, including
especially facial features.
Sir Walter was one of the first to emphasise the importance of the Human Genome Project.
Sir Walter has been a Professor of Genetics in the Stanford University School of Medicine (since he was 32 years old)
and Oxford University, (where he was the first Professor of Genetics at 34 years old), after obtaining his PhD in
Genetics from the University of Cambridge - though his original training was in mathematics and statistics.
He was for many years Director General of the then Imperial Cancer Research Fund, now Cancer Research UK. He was also
Head of an Oxford College and the Chancellor of Salford University for nearly a decade.
His other appointments include President of: the Royal Statistical Society; the Association for Science Education; HUGO
(The Human Genome Organization); the European Association for Cancer Research; and the British Association for Cancer
Research.
Sir Walter has received nearly 80 awards and honours including honorary degrees from all over the world. He published a
few books and has more than 700 publications mainly in scientific and medical journals.
He was awarded ‘the Royal Medal’ from the Royal Society UK recently for his seminal contributions to population
genetics, gene mapping and understanding of inherited genetic disease.
He has also been mentoring and helping young researchers, including especially Clinical Research Fellows and Academic
Clinical Lecturers with his extensive experience gained through sitting on innumerable committees and scientific boards
both at national and international levels.
Public lecture: Sir Walter Bodmer speaking on ‘Genetics and biology of colorectal cancer: Drug responses, cell lines,
stem cells and differentiation’ on Tuesday 26 November 1-2pm, at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, in the Robb
Lecture Theatre, Room 501-B09, Robb - Grafton Campus, 85 Park Road, Grafton.
ENDS