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Dr McFarlane’s group is interested in how cancer cells utilise germline / stem cell genes to control cell proliferation and genome dynamics. They are particularly interested in genes that regulate genome stability and cell division. His team not only works with human cancer cells and model organisms, but they also use human embryo stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. The ultimate aim of their work is to contribute insight to enable them to develop new diagnostic and patient stratification technologies and to identify and exploit new anti-cancer drug targets.

Impact

Dr McFarlane has served as a full member of the North West Cancer Research Committee for 5 years. He has reviewed regularly for international funding bodies and journals and has served as external Ph.D. examiner for a large number of national and international institutions.

‘’My research is aimed at ultimately benefitting cancer suffers and I chose to come to Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ for the unique opportunities it offered.’’

Previous University Positions

Lecturer / Project manager – North West Cancer Research Institute

Other external positions currently held

Visiting Professor – King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

Other external positions previously held

Visiting Scientist – CABIMER Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sevilla, Spain

NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA

MRC Research associate, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield

Educational Background

Ph.D. Medical Genetics (Prof. John Saunders), Liverpool University, UK

Location: Brambell, Room 405

Phone: 2360

Email: r.macfarlane@bangor.ac.uk

Position: Senior Lecturer / Research Group Leader / Deputy Head of School – Research

Dr McFarlane’s previous research has been aimed at understanding how complex organisms, such as humans, regulate and maintain genetic stability to avoid genetic disease such as cancer. Key findings in his group include the discovery that the mechanism that drives most caners, failures in DNA replication, does not occur uniformly throughout the genome (e.g., Pryce et al. 2009 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106, 4770-4775) and, more recently, that a highly conserved set of proteins control the terminal regions, the telomeres, which are important in cancer progression and human aging (Gomez-Escobar et al. 2016 Oncotarget in press). They have extended their work to identify a large cohort of new cancer biomarker genes (e.g., Feichtinger et al. 2012 Oncotarget 3, 843-853; Feichtinger et al. 2014 Int. J. Cancer 134, 2359-2365) and are currently exploring ways in which the products of these genes can be used for the development of new drug targets.

Practical applications/impact of findings to date

We have identified a large number of cancer-specific genes. These can be exploited in a number of way. Firstly, their expression profile can be used to stratify patients to select therapeutic strategies. Secondly, they have great potential in the development of early diagnostic technologies. Thirdly, they provide unique therapeutic targets, including direct drug targets and targets for immunotherapeutic based strategies. Additionally, we have developed computational tools that enable the wider community to explore the cancer specificity of groups of genes they may be working on in a more systematic fashion (e.g., Feichtinger 2012 et al. Database 2012 bas055).

Funding and key grants

His group has been funded by significant awards from the following organisations: MRC, WORD (NISCHR), Wellcome Trust, Royal Society, BBSRC, North West Cancer Research, Cancer Research Wales, NHS, Saudi Arabian Government.

Facilities

Most of the equipment used within Dr McFarlane’s group has been funded directly by externally won awards. These include: human cancer cell / embryo stem cell tissue culture suit, confocal microscopes, fluorescence activated cell sorting, fluorescence microscopes, phosphorimagers and a range of basic molecular biology technologies (RT-qPCR).

Strengths

On arriving at Bangor I established the North West Cancer Research Institute in collaboration with the regional cancer charity, North West Cancer Research. This has resulted in a dedicated group of research team leaders in Bangor with a focus aimed at understanding genome dynamics in cancer. These teams, and the associated, technology base, make this an excellent place to conduct cancer research within Wales. We are also part of wider Welsh and North West regional cancer research networks.

Keywords

Germ line genes, Cancer testis antigens, meiosis, telomeres, gene stability, embryo stem cells, cancer stem-like cells.

2022

• Published
  Gomez Escobar, N., Alsaiari, A., Alahmadi, H. A. S., Alzahrani, O., Vernon, E., Althagafi, H., Almobadel, N., Pryce, D., Wakeman, J. & Mcfarlane, R., 17 Jun 2022, In: PLOS Genetics. 18, 6, e1010267.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2020

• Published
  Robinson, H., McFarlane, R. J. & Wakeman, J. A., Apr 2020, In: Trends in cancer. 6, 4, p. 271-273 3 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  McFarlane, R. J. & Wakeman, J. A., Jun 2020, In: Trends in Cancer. 6, 6, p. 450-453 4 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2019

• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. & Feichtinger, J., Jul 2019, In: Andrology. 7, 4, p. 415-427 13 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2017

• Published
  Planells Palop, V., Hazazi, A., Feichtinger, J., Jezkova, J., Thallinger, G. G., Alsiwiehri, N., Almutairi, M., Parry, L., Wakeman, J. & Mcfarlane, R., 26 Apr 2017, In: Molecular Cancer. 16, 1, p. 1-18 84.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. & Wakeman, J., Nov 2017, In: Cancer Research. 77, 21, p. 5712-5716
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2016

• Published
  Jezkova, J., Williams, J. S., Pinto, F., Sammut, S. J., Williams, G. T., Gollins, S., Mcfarlane, R. J., Reis, R. M. & Wakeman, J., 5 Feb 2016, In: Oncotarget. 2016, 7, p. 11478-11486
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Gomez Escobar, N., Almobadel, N., Alzahrani, O., Feichtinger, J., Planells Palop, V., Alshehri, Z., Thallinger, G. G., Wakeman, J. & Mcfarlane, R., 10 May 2016, In: Oncotarget. 12 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2015

• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., McFarlane, R. J., Feichtinger, J. & Larcombe, L., 19 Mar 2015, In: Cell Cycle. 14, 6, p. 791-792
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J. & McFarlane, R., 15 Aug 2015, In: Clinical Cancer Research. 21, 16
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2014

• Published
  Sammut, S. J., Feichtinger, J., Stuart, N. S., Wakeman, J., Larcombe, L. & Mcfarlane, R. J., 6 May 2014, In: Oncoscience. 1, 5, p. 349-359
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Gollins, S. W., Wakeman, J., Jezkova, J., Williams, J. S., Jones-Hutchins, F., Sammut, S. J., Gollins, S., Cree, I., Coupland, S., McFarlane, R. J. & Wakeman, J. A., 21 May 2014, In: Oncotarget. 5, 11, p. 3813-3822
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., McFarlane, R. J., Feichtinger, J. & Larcombe, L., 23 Jun 2014, In: Cell Cycle. 13, 14, p. 2151-2152
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Feichtinger, J., McFarlane, R. J. & Larcombe, L. D., 27 Feb 2014, In: Database: The Journal of Biological Databases and Curation. 2014
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Almatrafi, A., Feichtinger, J., Vernon, E. G., Escobar, N. G., Wakeman, J. A., Larcombe, L. D. & McFarlane, R. J., 10 Nov 2014, In: Oncoscience. 1, 11, p. 745-750 6 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Feichtinger, J., Larcombe, L. & McFarlane, [. V., 15 May 2014, In: International Journal of Cancer. 134, 10, p. 2359-2365
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2013

• Published
  Sammut, S. J., Wakeman, J., Mcfarlane, R. J., Sammut, J., Wakeman, J. A., Stuart, N. & McFarlane, R. J., 13 Jun 2013, In: Journal of Genetic Syndromes and Gene Therapy. 4, 5, p. 149
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2012

• Published
  Feichtinger, J., Mcfarlane, R. & Larcombe, L., 15 Dec 2012, In: Database: The Journal of Biological Databases and Curation. 2012, bas055.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Stuart, N. S., Wakeman, J., Mcfarlane, R. J., Feichtinger, J., Aldeailej, I., Anderson, R., Almutairi, M., Almatrafi, A., Alsiwiehri, N., Griffiths, K., Stuart, N., Wakeman, J. A., Larcombe, L. & McFarlane, R. J., 13 Aug 2012, In: Oncotarget. 3, 8, p. 843-853
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Wakeman, J., Hmadcha, A., Soria, B. & Mcfarlane, R., 23 Mar 2012, In: Biomolecular Concepts. 3, 3, p. 203-211
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2010

• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., McFarlane, R. J. & Humphrey, T. C., 1 May 2010, In: Trends in Genetics. 26, 5, p. 209-213
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Jaendling, A. & McFarlane, R. J., 15 Jul 2010, In: Biochemical Journal. 429, 2, p. 225-234
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Spirek, M., Estreicher, A., Csaszar, E., Wells, J., McFarlane, R. J., Watts, F. Z. & Loidl, J., 1 Feb 2010, In: Chromosoma. 119, 1, p. 59-72
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., McFarlane, R. J., Mian, S. & Dalgaard, J. Z., 15 Feb 2010, In: Cell Cycle. 9, 4, p. 700-705
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2009

• Published
  Pryce, D. W., Ramayah, S., Jaendling, A. & Mcfarlane, R., 24 Mar 2009, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 106, 12, p. 4770-4775
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Pryce, D. & Mcfarlane, R. J., 1 Jan 2009, In: Meiosis. 5, p. 1-13
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., McFarlane, R. J. & Whitehall, S. K., 1 Oct 2009, In: Cell Cycle. 8, 19, p. 3102-3106
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2008

• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Jaendling, A., Ramayah, S., Pryce, D. W. & McFarlane, R. J., 1 Feb 2008, In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research. 1783, 2, p. 203-213
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2007

• Published
  Wakeman, J., Mcfarlane, R. J., Battersby, A., Jones, R. D., Lilley, K. S., McFarlane, R. J., Braig, H. R., Allen, N. D. & Wakeman, J. A., 1 Feb 2007, In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research. 1773, 2, p. 147-156
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2006

• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Wells, J. L., Pryce, D. W. & McFarlane, R. J., 15 Oct 2006, In: Yeast. 23, 13, p. 977-989
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Wells, J. L., Pryce, D. W., Estreicher, A., Loidl, J. & McFarlane, R. J., 1 Nov 2006, In: Genetics. 174, 3, p. 1105-1114
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2005

• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Pryce, D. W., Lorenz, A., Smirnova, J. B., Loidl, J. & McFarlane, R. J., 1 May 2005, In: Genetics. 170, 1, p. 95-106
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Ilyushik, E., Pryce, D., Walerych, D., Riddell, T., Wakeman, J. A., McInerny, C. J. & Mcfarlane, R., Jul 2005, In: Biological Chemistry. 386, 7, p. 613-621
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2004

• Published
  Lorenz, A., Wells, J. L., Pryce, D., Novatchkova, M., Eisenhaber, F., Mcfarlane, R. J. & Loidl, J., 28 Jun 2004, In: Journal of Cell Science. 117, 15, p. 3343-3351
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2002

• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. J., Smirnova, J. B. & McFarlane, R. J., 31 May 2002, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 277, 22, p. 19817-19822
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1998

• Published
  Jessen, J. R., Meng, A., Mcfarlane, R., Paw, B. H., Zon, L. I., Smith, G. R. & Lin, S., 1998, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 95, 9, p. 5121 5126 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1997

• Published
  Mcfarlane, R., Carr, A. M. & Price, C., 1 Jul 1997, In: Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 255, 3, p. 332-340
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1996

• Published
  Taylor, E. M., Mcfarlane, R. & Price, C., 1996, In: Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 253, 1-2, p. 128-137
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mcfarlane, R. & Saunders, J. R., 1996, In: Gene. 177, 1-2, p. 209-216
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Hegde, V., Mcfarlane, R., Taylor, E. M. & Price, C., 1 Jun 1996, In: Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 251, 4, p. 483-492
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• 01/09/2023 – 12/03/2027 (Active)

• 01/09/2021 – 31/07/2023 (Finished)

• 01/12/2020 – 30/11/2023 (Finished)

• 01/04/2020 – 30/04/2025 (Active)

• 01/11/2018 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)

• 01/10/2018 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)

• 01/10/2015 – 31/07/2016 (Finished)

  Links:

  • /research/news/a-human-stem-cell-specific-gene-usually-only-active-in-the-testis-can-influence-cancer-cell-proliferation-and-prognosis-in-a-wide-range-of-different-cancers-32454

• 01/08/2013 – 31/10/2015 (Finished)

• 01/01/2013 – 31/12/2015 (Finished)

• 09/05/2011 – 08/01/2013 (Finished)

• 01/12/2009 – 01/07/2011 (Finished)

• 01/10/2009 – 25/06/2013 (Finished)

• 01/12/2007 – 31/07/2009 (Finished)

• 24/09/2007 – 30/09/2010 (Finished)

• 01/01/2007 – 31/07/2010 (Finished)

• 01/04/2003 – 31/10/2012 (Finished)

  Links:

  • /medical-sciences/cancer-research.php.en