[13] After his PhD, Patel was awarded an MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship and started working with A. Venkitaraman (1995–1998) where he contributed to the discovery that the BRCA2 protein functions in repairing damaged DNA.

Patel's research on the Fanconi pathway has provided key molecular insights into how cells remove DNA crosslinks[1][2] and, most recently, his lab discovered that reactive aldehydes are the likely natural agents that produce them.

His certificate for election to Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2015[21] reads: KJ Patel has made seminal discoveries on the Fanconi pathway of DNA repair.

Patel has unveiled the primary role of the Fanconi pathway in resolving DNA damage caused by aldehydes (whether generated by endogenous metabolism or though oxidation of ingested substances such as ethanol).

He has also advanced our knowledge of the molecular mechanism of action of the pathway and thrown light on its roles in preserving blood stem cells as well as in protection from cancer.

[22]Patel derived the most pleasure when he received a lifetime achievement award from the Fanconi Anemia research fund – a charity set up by the families of those effected by this devastating illness.