The DNA Dialogues: The Future in our Genes

John is a Professor of Clinical Genetics at Newcastle University and one of the founding figures behind the Centre for Life. He’s been at the forefront of NHS genetics in the North East since 1984, leading the regional service for two decades. He now chairs Research and Innovation for the North East and Yorkshire Genomic Medicine Service and is Chair Elect of Cancer Research UK’s Prevention and Population Research Committee. At Newcastle, he heads the Cancer Prevention Programme research group, including the international CaPP2 and CaPP3 studies—major trials investigating how aspirin might prevent cancer. He also co-leads a CRUK programme exploring how aspirin works at a biological level to reduce cancer risk. He was knighted in 2010 for services to medicine and healthcare.

Lorraine is a Principal Genetic Counsellor at the Northern Genetics Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. She is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University in the Population Health Sciences Institute. Lorraine’s original background is in oncology nursing. Her research interests focus on understanding patient perspectives on genomic healthcare. She is currently funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) through a Clinical Academic Research Partnership (CARP) fellowship, collaborating with colleagues in Latin America and the UK to evaluate the delivery of whole exome sequencing for patients with muscle diseases in Latin America.

Laura Greaves is a Professor of Molecular Pathology within Newcastle University’s Biosciences Institute. She leads a lab studying how ageing affects mitochondria—the energy producers in our cells—and how this might contribute to cancer development, especially in the intestine. Laura earned her PhD at Newcastle in 2005, researching how mitochondrial DNA changes over time in stem cells. Since starting her own lab in 2016, she and her team have used cutting-edge tools, including advanced mouse models and 3D mini-organs, to better understand the links between ageing, stem cells, and cancer development. Laura also leads the UKRI National Mouse Genetics Network Ageing Cluster.

Professor Volker Straub is the Director of the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and Deputy Dean for Newcastle University’s Translational and Clinical Research Institute. He is a Consultant in Neuromuscular Genetics and an NIHR Senior Investigator. Volker has a long-standing interest in disease mechanisms of genetic muscle diseases, with activities involving diagnostics and clinical trials. He is the current president of the World Muscle Society and an author on >500 peer-reviewed publications.

Alistair is a lecturer in Geospatial Engineering at Newcastle University, using mapping data and computer models to explore sustainable and resilience cities. He’s particularly interested in the way that land-use and transport planning can be used to adapt our urban areas to climate change. He loves chairing debates at Life because he gets to have fascinating discussions with knowledgeable people about subjects he knows nothing about!