Peter D Adams

Biography

Dr. Adams most recently led the Epigenetics Unit at the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research and the University of Glasgow, Institute of Cancer Sciences, in Scotland. He has also held positions at Wistar Institute (University of Pennsylvania), Drexel University and Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Peter Adams obtained his BA in biochemistry at the University of Oxford, England and his Ph.D. at Imperial Cancer Research Fund (now CR-UK). He did post-doctoral work with Dr. William G. Kaelin, Jr. at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School. Peter Adams is co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal Aging Cell. ​​Honors and Recognition: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Scholar (2003-2008); W.W. Smith Charitable Trust Fellowship (1999-2001);V Foundation Scholar (1999-2001);SERC/NATO Fellowship (1993-1995)

Research Interest

Dr. Adams's research focus is driving epigenetics as a cross-cutting scientific theme and promoting access to single cell technologies at the Institute. His lab investigates the impact of chromatin and epigenetics on cellular senescence, aging and cancer. In particular, we hypothesize that age-associated changes in chromatin and epigenetic programming contribute to the dramatic age-associated increase in incidence of cancer. While age is the biggest single risk factor for most cancers, the reason for this is current poorly understood.