A renowned geneticist and director of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, he led the team that identified the breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, revolutionizing cancer research.
Michael Stratton is a British clinical scientist and the current director of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, renowned for his groundbreaking work in the field of cancer genetics. He is the leader of the International Cancer Genome Consortium and the Cancer Genome Project, dedicated to deciphering the genetic code of cancer.
Born on June 22, 1957, Stratton was educated at the prestigious Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School. He later pursued his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Oxford, where he was a student of Brasenose College, Oxford. Stratton completed his clinical training at Guy's Hospital before training as a histopathologist at the Hammersmith and Maudsley Hospitals in London.
Stratton has held clinical posts at esteemed institutions such as Guy's Hospital, Westminster Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital, and the Royal Marsden Hospital. He took up a faculty appointment and now holds a Professorship at the Institute of Cancer Research. In 2000, he joined the Sanger Institute, where he was promoted to deputy director in 2007 and eventually became the director in 2010, succeeding Allan Bradley.
Stratton's research interests lie in the area of genetics of cancer. In 1994, he localized BRCA2, a major breast cancer susceptibility gene, to chromosome 13. The following year, his team identified the gene and generated a megabase segment of high-quality human genome sequence. His subsequent work has involved the identification of moderate cancer susceptibility genes such as CHEK2, ATM, and PALB2, each playing a role in some breast cancers.
Michael Stratton's work has significantly advanced our understanding of cancer genetics, paving the way for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. His contributions have not only improved our comprehension of the complex mechanisms underlying cancer but also have the potential to transform the lives of millions of people affected by this disease globally.
Through his leadership and vision, Stratton has inspired a new generation of scientists to tackle the complex challenges of cancer research, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific community.
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