Emma Shanks's Biography

Emma Shanks, Head of Screening, Beatson Institute for Cancer Research

After completing a PhD at the University of Dundee, I worked in the newly established Drug Discovery Unit in Dundee, developing assays for biochemical and phenotypic screens to support high throughput siRNA and small molecule screens; this work aimed to find new therapies for neglected tropical diseases and novel targets for diseases such as cancer. I currently run a cancer research focused Screening Facility which aims to identify novel drug targets in key pathways and mechanisms, reduce chemotherapeutic drug resistance and side effects, and identify new therapeutics from existing non-cancer drugs. Our own research centres on drug repurposing approaches and identifying novel therapeutics for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)