Ramsay Bowden

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genomic Medicine at the University of Cambridge and an Honorary Consultant in Clinical Genetics at Cambridge University Hospitals and Royal Papworth Hospital. My work covers many aspects of genome stability from molecular mechanisms to genomic signatures with a focus on translation to clinical practice. 

I studied medicine at the University of Cambridge and went on to pursue specialist training in clinical genetics. I was awarded a Wellcome Fellowship to undertake a PhD under the supervision of Professor Steve Jackson, developing novel CRISPR screening approaches to investigate genetic interactions in the DNA damage response. 

I was appointed as a Locum Assistant Professor at the University of Cambridge in 2023. Working together with Professor Serena Nik-Zainal, my research aims to maximise the clinical utility of cancer whole genome sequencing data in early diagnosis and treatment targeting. 

In my clinical practice, I have a particular interest in DNA repair disorders, and work as an Honorary Consultant for the national specialist clinics for patients with Ataxia Telangiectasia and Bloom Syndrome. 

Project/study information

The MIDAR (Mutagenesis in DnA Repair disorders) research programme seeks to understand how genome instability contributes to disease in patients who are born without functioning DNA repair pathways. We work with patients with Ataxia Telangiectasia, Bloom Syndrome, Fanconi Anaemia and Telomere Biology Disorders, amongst others.