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Alex Tonks  BSc (Hons), PhD, FHEA

Professor Alex Tonks

(he/him)

BSc (Hons), PhD, FHEA

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Available for postgraduate supervision

Teams and roles for Alex Tonks

Overview

I am currently

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Research

Research Overview

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) still has a generally poor outcome particularly for those over sixty.  Hope for the future comes in the form of treatments which target key abnormalities that are the “Achilles’ heel” of the disease; unfortunately AML is a highly variable disease and only one subtype of the disease is currently treated in this way.  I investigate the roles of a number of candidate genes including RUNX1::ETO, RUNX3, hnRNP, CD200, Wnt signalling, S100 and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leukamogenesis. In particular I am interested in how the process of haematopoietic development in stem and progenitor populations is dysregulated by these genes in AML.

Research Description

Translocations affecting the RUNX1 transcription factor are amongst the most common in AML and preleukaemia. Knockout models have demonstrated the importance of this gene for haematopoietic development, however, at present we understand little of the effect of translocated RUNX1 genes such as RUNX1::ETO on the development of primary human cells. The aim of our studies have been to gain a detailed understanding of the effect of RUNX1::ETO on the development of primitive human primary cells. We have achieved this by ectopically expressing RUNX1::ETO in CD34+ using a retroviral vector which co-expressed green fluorescent protein. This enabled the identification of infected cells in 'real-time', and allowed us to study the effects of RUNX1::ETO on primitive cells and on their subsequent ability to complete their differentiation down the myeloid and erythroid lineages. Using this approach we showed that expression of RUNX1::ETO strongly inhibited the differentiation of both myeloid and erythroid cells as well as promoting their self-renewal. We have subsequently used microarray technology to identify target genes of RUNX1::ETO. We are currently investigating these genes and their ability to recapitulate the RUNX1::ETO phenotype.

We have also identified an abnormality that is common to the majority of AML patients, which is the over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While ROS are damaging to normal blood cells, AML cells have developed resistance to them and moreover depend on ROS to promote their growth. We are currently investigating approaches that can be effective against AML cells by using agents that are much more easily tolerated than conventional chemotherapy.

Knowing which genes, proteins (and ROS) are linked to abnormal blood production enables us to develop new treatments which are critically needed for patients with AML.

Grants held in last 5 years

HealthCare Research Wales. PhD studentship determining the role of NFIC in AML. Prof Tonks (PI): Dr H WIlliams (Co-app), Prof Darley (Co-app). 2022-2025; £66,000.

Blood Cancer UK. Project grant exploring NOX2 as a component of multi-target therapy for acute myeloid. Prof Tonks (PI): Dr Khorashad (Co-I), Prof Darley (Co-app). 2022-2025; £248,000.

Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission PhD Studentship. The role of hnRNP proteins in leukaemogenesis.PhD Studentship. Prof Tonks (PI), Prof Darley (Co-app). 2021-2025: £146,000.

Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission PhD Studentship. Identification and validation of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers in acute myeloid leukaemia. Prof Darley (PI), Prof Tonks (Co-app). 2021-2025: £142,000.

Wellcome ISSF Translational kickstart award. PFKFB3 translation in AML. A Tonks (PI), R Darley, S Knaper (Co-app).  2020-2021.  £37,645.

Wellcome ISSF Translational kickstart award. Screening the anticancer activity of novel antibiotic polymer therapeutics.  (Elain Ferguson PI, A Tonks, Co-app and Arwyn Jones Co-app).  2019-2020.  £49,645.

PhD Studentship. The role Wnt signalling in blood stem cell development and in acute myeloid leukaemia Prof Darley (PI), Dr Tonks (Co-app). 2018-2021: £75,000.

PhD Studentship. The Role of Protein Kinase C Epsilon in the Pathogenesis and Treatment Resistance of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Prof Darley (PI), Dr Tonks (Co-app). 2017-2020: £75,000.

PhD Studentship. Use of iTRAQ Mass Spectrometry to identify the mechanism of developmental disruption induced by RUNX1-ETO. Dr Tonks (PI), Prof Darley (Co-app). 2017-2020: £75,000

Cancer Research Wales: PhD Studentship. The role of Runx3 in leukaemogenesis. Dr Tonks (PI), Prof Darley (Co-app). 2017-2020: £109,301.

 

Teaching

  • I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Acadamy.
  • I contribute to teaching associated with several courses and modules across the School and Colleges within Cardiff University.
  • I provide several laboratory based projects for undergraduate, postgraduate taught, MRes and PTY students to train within my laboratory. 
  • I am an external lecturer for several UK universities and guest speaker internationally.
  • I am external examiner for PGR students.
  • I am external examiner for BSc/MSi courses. 

Biography

Education and significant professional training courses

2014: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

2012-2014: ILM endorsed course for Practical Leadership for University Management, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK

2012-2013: CPD in Medical Education Orientation Programme, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff UK

1997-2000: PhD – Pulmonary immunology/ROS, Cardiff University / University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC)

1996: HPC Registration for Biomedical Sciences, Health Professions Council, UK

1993-1997: BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Ist Class), UWIC, Cardiff, UK

Professional memberships

  • I am a Fellow of Higher Education Academy (2014).

Academic positions

Career Overview

2024 - Present - Interim Head of Department of Haematology, Cardiff University, UK

2020- Present - Professor in Haematology,  Department of Haematology, Cardiff University, UK

2016-2020 - Reader, Department of Haematology, Cardiff University , UK

2009-2016 - Senior Lecturer , Department of Haematology, Cardiff University, UK

2003-2009 - Lecturer , Department of Haematology, Cardiff University, UK

2000-2003 - Post-doctoral Research Fellow , Department of Haematology, Cardiff University, UK

2000-2002 - Part time Lecturer , School of Applied Sciences, UWIC, Cardiff, UK

1997-2000 - Research Assistant , School of Applied Sciences, UWIC, Cardiff, UK

1995-1996, 1997 - Biomedical Scientist , Royal Gwent Hospital, Pathology Department, Newport, UK

Committees and reviewing

 

Grants Last Activity Status
BBSRC (Panel C) 2023 Panel Member
BBSRC 2023 Reviewer
Blood Cancer UK 2024 Reviewer
Leukaemia UK 2024 Reviewer
HCRW (HRA) 2023 Panel Member
BBSRC (Panel D) 2022 Panel Member
HCRW 2022 Reviewer
MRC (Fellows) 2024 Reviewer
North West Cancer Research 2024 Reviewer
HCRW (Fellowship Panel) 2022 Panel Member
Royal Society 2022 Reviewer
Leukaemia UK 2024 Panel Member
Barts Charity 2022 Reviewer
University of Sharjah, UAE 2022 Reviewer
Kidsscan 2021 Reviewer
MRC (MCMB) 2021 Reviewer
PSG 2021 Reviewer
Children with Leuka 2024 Reviewer
Children C and LG 2024 Reviewer
FWF 2021 Reviewer
Swiss Science Fund 2021 Reviewer
Wellcome Trust 2021 Reviewer
HCRW (AWPP) 2021 Panel Member
Kay Kendall 2020 Reviewer
LLNI 2019 Reviewer
Rosetrees 2019 Reviewer
ERC 2024 Reviewer
JGW Patterson 2017 Reviewer
NCR3 2013 Reviewer
RG Council HK 2013 Reviewer
AIRC 2012 Reviewer
DFG 2012 Reviewer
Humane Society 2012 Reviewer
Enid George 2010 Reviewer
North Wales Research Trust 2005 Reviewer

Supervisions

I have a track research record centred on understanding how molecular abnormalities associated with leukaemia contribute to the pathogenesis of these conditions. I am an experienced mentor with an excellent successful PGR supervision record including ECR development. I have supervised over 15 PGR students to successul completion.  I am currently supervising eight PhD students.

I was previously the Divisional PGR Director/lead (~10y) responsible for the progress monitoring and PGR environment of ~45 students across all years of study within my Divsion. Over the last 20 y I have supervised numerous medical SSC/pharmacological BSc students, BSc Medical intercalated degrees and MPhil/MSc/MRes students. I have been internal/external examiner or chair of viva voce examinations on numerous occasions.  My international reputation in this area is evidenced by external examinations in the UK and Europe. 

I am interested in supervising PGR students in the areas of

  • Haematological malignancy
  • Targeted therapies and precision medicine in blood cancer
  • Oxidative stress and REDOX signalling in cancer

Current supervision

Maryam Alanazi

Maryam Alanazi

Maryam Ahmed Halawi Halawi

Maryam Ahmed Halawi Halawi

Owen Hughes

Owen Hughes

Abdulsalam Alruwaili

Abdulsalam Alruwaili

Contact Details

Email TonksA@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone +44 29207 42235
Campuses Main Hospital Building, Floor 7, Room 187, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN

Research themes

Specialisms

  • cancer
  • Haematological tumours