Fellow

Robert White is Professor of Gene Transcription in Glasgow. He has made a series of key contributions to the field of molecular oncology. His discoveries have not only provided us with important insights into the mechanism of transcriptional control, but have also helped to establish how defects in such events can lead to cancer. He made the striking discovery that the eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription factor TBP plays a crucial role in transcription by Pol III. These findings were controversial at the time, but now form one of the cornerstones of the transcription field. He discovered the mechanism by which TBP is recruited to Pol III promoters even in the absence of a TATA-box motif and identified the mechanism by which Pol III transcription is regulated during the cell cycle. Because Pol III activity is required for the biosynthetic capacity of the cell, these findings are of major importance for our appreciation of the control of cell proliferation and cell growth. He established how the tumour suppressor proteins RB, p53 and MYC regulate Pol III transcription, and how defects in such mechanisms may be of key importance during tumourigenesis. In summary, Professor White’s work has established Pol III transcription as a critical control-point for cellular metabolism. This has provided key insights into oncogenesis, and suggested avenues for developing novel diagnostics and therapeutic agents. He has received numerous prizes for his outstanding contributions and we welcome him to this Academy.