Professor Louise Jones
Group Leader
Overview
My research in breast cancer focuses on the progression of in situ to invasive disease with the aims of identifying 1) markers which can predict behaviour and 2) novel therapeutic targets.
Team
Dr Michael Allen
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Rachel Barrow-McGee
Tissue Bank Data Officer - PharosAI
Shreya Lovlekar
Research Technician - PharosAI
Catherine McMaster-Christie
Tissue Bank Manager
Rosamond Nuamah
Spatial Transcriptomics Facility Manager
Rehana Rahman
Research Technician - PharosAI
Dr Kastytis Sidlauskas
Clinical Research Fellow
Research
The focus of my research is breast cancer and in particular the factors involved in the progression of in situ to invasive disease with the aims of identifying 1) markers which can predict behaviour, and 2) novel therapeutic targets. Current research involves development of in vitro models of Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and their use to investigate the influence of the microenvironment on tumour cell behaviour, focusing on the functional significance of altered myoepithelial and fibroblast phenotype in DCIS.
We have strong links with The Breast Unit at Barts Cancer Centre.
In parallel with our work on the microenvironment, we are investigating the molecular diversity of in situ and invasive breast cancer in different populations (e.g. different ethnic groups, high risk patients) and its therapeutic implications.
I am also the Course Director for the MSc Cancer & Molecular Pathology and Genomics Course.
Key Publications
Germline BRCA mutation and outcome in young-onset breast cancer (POSH): a prospective cohort study. Lancet Oncol (2018) 19(2):169-180. PMID: 29337092
The 100 000 Genomes Project: bringing whole genome sequencing to the NHS. BMJ (2018). PMID: 29691228
Loss of MMP-8 in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)-associated myoepithelial cells contributes to tumour promotion through altered adhesive and proteolytic function. Breast Cancer Res (2017) 19(1). PMID: 28330493
Altered microenvironment promotes progression of preinvasive breast cancer: myoepithelial expression of αvβ6 integrin in DCIS identifies high-risk patients and predicts recurrence. Clin Cancer Res (2014) 20(2) 344-357. PMID: 24150233
See recent publicationsMajor Funding
- 2019-2024- Breast Cancer Now Tissue Bank and Specialist Cell Bank, £3.8M
- 2018-2021- Pathological Society Of Great Britain And Ireland, An integrated genomic analysis of DCIS heterogeneity to identify signatures of progression, £285,052.62
- 2016-2019- Breast Cancer Now, Defining Biomarkers to Predict Response to Tamoxifen in the Preventive Setting, £276,007
- 2015-2018- Breast Cancer Now, Programme Grant (LJ PI), Breast Cancer Now Breast Tissue Bank and Establishment of Metastatic Tissue Bank, £1.56M
Other Activities
- Editor-in-Chief, the Journal of Pathology
- Pathology Lead for North, East & West London Genomic Laboratory Hub
- Lead for Molecular Pathology for Genomics England
- Lead for Breast Cancer Now National Breast Tissue Bank
- Member of International Cancer Genome Consortium Breast Working Group
- Lead Pathologist & member of steering committee on the POSH (Prospective study of Outcome in Sporadic versus Hereditary breast cancer) national trial
- Lead Pathologist on IBIS-II, UK-DCIS, FHO1 breast clinical trials
- Associate Editor Journal of Pathology
- Honorary Member Royal College of Radiologists Breast Group
- Member of British Breast Group
Biography
Professor Louise Jones joined Barts Cancer Institute in April 2004. She trained in Medicine at Leicester University and specialised in Breast Pathology, undertaking a PhD at the Breast Cancer Research Unit in Leicester analysing the tumour-suppressor role of breast myoepithelial cells.
Professor Jones is Co-PI of the national Breast Cancer Now Biobank which includes the Primary Breast Cell Bank, isolating cell populations from tissues for the research community. She was Lead for Molecular Pathology within Genomics England during the 100,000 Genomes Project then taking on Cellular Pathology Lead for North Thames GLH. She sits on many Genomic Medicine national committees representing Pathology and contributing to discussions around improving sample handling and pathways for genomic testing. Also Research Lead for the National Breast Pathology Co-Ordinating Committee and Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Pathology. A founder for the Patient Advocate Course VOICE, which brings patients into this discussion on medicine, management and research.
Related News
Professor Louise Jones elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Professor Louise Jones at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, has been elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences. She joins 60 exceptional biomedical and health scientists elected to its prestigious Fellowship.
Grants & Awards 21 May 2026
Driving Discoveries for Tomorrow’s Cancer Care
Today, on World Cancer Day, we’re sharing a new film. Join us as we go behind the scenes at Barts Cancer Institute (BCI), Queen Mary University of London and meet the people who are making progress possible.
Video 4 February 2026
Queen Mary’s Barts Cancer Institute co-leads £43.6m initiative to accelerate AI-powered cancer breakthroughs
Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London will co-lead a ground-breaking collaboration, PharosAI, that aims to harness cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and unlock decades of NHS cancer data. The UK government is committing £18.9 million to the project.
General News 11 February 2025
Professor Louise Jones wins Goudie Medal for excellence in pathology
Professor Louise Jones has been awarded the Pathological Society’s prestigious Goudie Medal for her seminal contributions to pathological science and understanding of disease.
General News 22 January 2025
OPTIMA: Improving treatment for cancer patients through artificial intelligence
Professors Claude Chelala and Louise Jones from Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, are part of a €21.3 million public-private research programme that will seek to use artificial intelligence to improve care for patients with prostate, breast and lung cancer.
General News 12 October 2021
Biological clues in tissues surrounding breast tumours
A new study has identified molecular characteristics in ‘normal-looking’ tissues surrounding breast tumours that may indicate whether breast cancer is likely to return following surgical removal of the tumour.
General News 9 September 2020
Prof Jones wins RCPath Award
Congratulations to Professor Louise Jones who is the recipient of a RCPath Excellence Award, which celebrates excellence in pathology practice and promotes high standards in pathology education, training and research to deliver the best patient care.
General News 14 June 2019
Genomics project reaches goal of 100,000 genomes sequenced from NHS patients
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced yesterday that a project involving Queen Mary researchers has reached its goal of sequencing 100,000 whole genomes from NHS patients.
General News 6 December 2018