Johnjoe McFadden

Bio

Johnjoe Mcfadden is Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Surrey. His principal research ranges from molecular genetics to microbiology, systems biology and quantum biology. He was one of the pioneers of applying systems biology techniques to bacterial-host interactions, particularly in tuberculosis, leprosy and meningococcal disease. His recent interests include quantum biology and he set up the world’s first Doctoral Training Centre for Quantum Biology at the University of Surrey where he is currently the Centre’s Director. His work earned him the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award in 2014 and has generated practical outputs such as the world’s first commercialized PCR test. He is also a popular science writer and wrote the book “Quantum Evolution” in 2000, co-edited ‘Human Nature: Fact and Fiction’ in 2006; and is co-author, with Jim Al-Khalili, of the book, “Life on the Edge: The Coming Age of Quantum Biology published in 2014 and shortlisted for the Royal Society Book Prize. His latest book, ‘Life is Simple” about the role of Occam’s Razor in science, was described by Astrophysicist and science writer, Paul Davies as “one of the best science books I have read in a decade”.