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Draft:Neil Cross (Academic)

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Neil Cross
BSc, PgCert LTHE, FHEA, PhD
Born1974 (age 50–51)
United Kingdom
NationalityBritish
Known for3D cell culture models
apoptotic research
gold nanoparticle radiosensitisation
AwardsFellow of Advance HE (FHEA)
Academic background
EducationSheffield Hallam University (BSc)
University of Sheffield (PhD)
ThesisMolecular genetic and cytogenetic studies on uveal melanoma
Doctoral advisorProfessor Ian Rennie
Dr Karen Sisley
Academic work
DisciplineCancer biology
InstitutionsUniversity of Sheffield
(1996–2008)
Sheffield Hallam University (2008–present)
WebsiteOfficial profile[1]

Neil Cross (born 1974) is a British cancer biologist and academic.

Cross completed a BSc in Biomedical Chemistry at Sheffield Hallam University in 1996 and a PhD at the University of Sheffield in 2002 under Professor Ian Rennie and Dr Karen Sisley. From 1996 to 2008, he worked at the University of Sheffield as a research fellow.[2]

In 2008, Cross joined Sheffield Hallam University as a Senior Lecturer in molecular and cell biology. He was promoted to Reader in cancer biology in 2017, and to Associate Professor in 2024, recognising his contributions to research, teaching, and academic leadership. He currently serves as Course Leader for the BSc (Hons) Biomedicine and Health Science programme at Sheffield Hallam.[2] As of 2025, Cross has authored 96 peer-reviewed journal articles, with his work cited more than 2,600 times.[3]

Cross's research spans three main areas:

  • 3D cell culture models: Developing spheroid models that replicate tumour microenvironments—such as hypoxia, nutrient gradients, and limited drug penetration—for testing cancer therapies. This work is supported by NC3Rs, Innovate UK, Cancer Research UK, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Training Alliance programme.[4]
  • Programmed cell death: Investigating resistance mechanisms to TRAIL (tumour necrosis factor‑related apoptosis‑inducing ligand), and exploring how agents such as HDAC inhibitors, nuclear export inhibitors, and proteasome inhibitors can restore cell death pathways. Research also includes studies on ferroptosis in breast cancer spheroid models.[5]
  • Gold nanoparticle radiosensitisation: Employing phosphonium‑conjugated gold nanoparticles to target mitochondria and the nucleus—enhancing photothermal and radiotherapy responses in tumour cells—conducted in collaboration with Professor Neil Bricklebank.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Neil Cross | Sheffield Hallam University".
  2. ^ a b "Neil Cross | Sheffield Hallam University". www.shu.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  3. ^ "Google Scholar". scholar.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  4. ^ Flint, Lucy E.; Hamm, Gregory; Ready, Joseph D.; Ling, Stephanie; Duckett, Catherine J.; Cross, Neil A.; Cole, Laura M.; Smith, David P.; Goodwin, Richard J. A.; Clench, Malcolm R. (2020-09-15). "Characterization of an Aggregated Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Model by Multimodal Mass Spectrometry Imaging". Analytical Chemistry. 92 (18): 12538–12547. doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.0c02389. ISSN 0003-2700. PMC 7497704. PMID 32786495.
  5. ^ Hudson, Katie; Cross, Neil; Jordan-Mahy, Nicola; Leyland, Rebecca (2020-10-21). "The Extrinsic and Intrinsic Roles of PD-L1 and Its Receptor PD-1: Implications for Immunotherapy Treatment". Frontiers in Immunology. 11. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.568931. ISSN 1664-3224. PMC 7609400. PMID 33193345.
  6. ^ Lalwani, Nikhil; Chen, Yu-Su; Brooke, Gemma; Cross, Neil A.; Allen, David W.; Reynolds, Alan; Ojeda, Jesús; Tizzard, Graham J.; Coles, Simon J.; Bricklebank, Neil (2015-02-19). "Triphenylarsonium-functionalised gold nanoparticles: potential nanocarriers for intracellular therapeutics". Chemical Communications. 51 (19): 4109–4111. doi:10.1039/C4CC09304F. ISSN 1364-548X. PMID 25670649.