Denis Alexander

From 1981–1986 he held the post of Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Lebanon, where he helped to establish the National Unit of Human Genetics.

Discoveries during this era included a novel mutation which affected lysosomal enzyme processing and the identification and characterisation of several rare genetic diseases.

Following this Alexander became Project Leader at The Babraham Institute, Cambridge (1989-2008) where he subsequently headed the Molecular Immunology Programme and established the Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development.

This led to a series of publications on CD45 (also known as PTPRC), on SHP-2 (also known as PTPN11), on the use of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, and on the discovery of a novel signaling pathway utilizing intracellular alkalinisation following DNA damage implicated in the development of cancer.

The Institute carries out research on science and religion, runs courses, and engages in academic dissemination on the topic through seminars, lectures, panel discussions and in schools.

In 2018 Alexander spoke in favour of the motion "This House Believes that Science Alone Can Never Answer our Biggest Questions" at an Oxford Union debate.