Antonius Jozef Maria "Anton" Berns (born January 1945, Schijndel)[1] is a Dutch scientist researching molecular genetics and author of the Mouse Cancer Models studies series.

He did his postdoctoral training in the group of Rudolf Jaenisch at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, CA., where he studied the role of retroviruses in causing lymphomas in mice.

Here his group did pioneering work to generate and utilize genetically modified mice as a tool to search for new cancer genes.

The general picture that transpires from these studies is that the mouse cancer models show closer resemblance to the human condition when they share the same mutations.

By applying sensitive in vivo imaging techniques to follow tumor growth and metastatic spread in real time in animals the researchers not only can follow tumor development longitudinally but also monitor response to genetic and pharmacological interventions.