An investigation by the University College London has cleared prominent geneticist David Latchman of misconduct, but concluded he has “procedural matters in his lab that required attention.”
Latchman has two retracted papers; on PubPeer, there are questions about nearly four dozen more.
The results of the investigation were first reported by the Times Higher Education. We also received a short statement from a UCL spokesperson:
UCL has considered allegations of potential research misconduct concerning UCL staff under our Procedure for Investigating and Resolving Allegations of Misconduct in Academic Research and related procedures.
UCL confirms that the conclusion of its investigation is that Professor Latchman has no case to answer in relation to research misconduct. Professor Latchman has accepted that there were procedural matters in his lab that required attention.
Here’s some of what a UCL spokesperson told us about the investigation back in January:
UCL has received an anonymous allegation of potential research misconduct concerning UCL staff, which is currently under consideration under its Procedure for Investigating and Resolving Allegations of Misconduct in Academic Research…Some errors have been identified in eight publications, and appropriate retractions have taken place. This should not be misinterpreted as an indication that individual authors have been either knowingly or deliberately involved in misconduct, because our processes are not yet complete.
Latchman is also master of the public research university Birkbeck, University of London.
Update: 1/9/15: Latchman forwarded our request for comment to the media office at Birkbeck. They sent us this statement on behalf of the Chair of the Birkbeck Governing body Harvey McGrath:
We are very pleased that the extensive UCL investigation is now complete and that Professor Latchman has no case to answer. This is exactly the outcome we have always expected and we are happy that the Master can continue to focus on Birkbeck with his familiar dedication and skill.
Hat tip: Times Higher Education
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found same thing yesterday….working now
Oncogene. 2008 Jan 3;27(1):145-54. Epub 2007 Jul 16.
Proliferation-associated Brn-3b transcription factor can activate cyclin D1 expression in neuroblastoma and breast cancer cells.
Budhram-Mahadeo VS1, Irshad S, Bowen S, Lee SA, Samady L, Tonini GP, Latchman DS.
Author information
1Medical Molecular Biology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
Pubpeer entry: https://pubpeer.com/publications/016F22871988C23F342A0E9EAC71E6#fb36891
Figure 2b Oncogene 27:145 and figure 1 J Biol Chem 279:21617.
http://imgur.com/pqlXd3K
J Biol Chem. 2010 May 14;285(20):15286-95. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.071456. Epub 2010 Mar 12.
A simple technique for the prediction of interacting proteins reveals a direct Brn-3a-androgen receptor interaction.
Berwick DC1, Diss JK, Budhram-Mahadeo VS, Latchman DS.
Author information
1Medical Molecular Biology Unit, University College London Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
Pubpeer entry: https://pubpeer.com/publications/20228055
Figure 5B.
http://i.imgur.com/S4UyTzM.jpg
Figure 3A.
http://i.imgur.com/CjMCDkB.png
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2002 Oct;283(4):H1481-8. Epub 2002 Jun 13.
Urocortin protects the heart from reperfusion injury via upregulation of p42/p44 MAPK signaling pathway.
Schulman D1, Latchman DS, Yellon DM.
Author information
1The Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Studies, University College London Hospital and Medical School, United Kingdom.
https://pubpeer.com/publications/12234800
http://i.imgur.com/zTR2697.png
Second correction.
J Biol Chem. 2005 Mar 25;280(12):11851-8. Epub 2004 Dec 13.
Brn-3a transcription factor blocks p53-mediated activation of proapoptotic target genes Noxa and Bax in vitro and in vivo to determine cell fate.
Hudson CD1, Morris PJ, Latchman DS, Budhram-Mahadeo VS.
Author information
1Medical Molecular Biology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
2nd correction figure 4 (2016).
http://www.jbc.org/content/291/30/15909.short
First correction figure 4 (2015).
http://www.jbc.org/content/290/2/887.short
David Latchman faces new inquiry over claims of research misconduct.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jan/03/top-uk-geneticist-david-latchman-faces-new-inquiry-over-research-misconduct-claims
Times picking up on new investigation.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/birkbeck-head-investigated-again-over-research
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3441526/It-s-no-wonder-universities-want-curb-freedom-law-Dozens-vice-chancellors-pay-packets-soar-10-past-year-spend-thousands-flights-hotels.html
Birkbeck College – £395,000 to David Latchman
J Biol Chem. 2001 Jul 27;276(30):28340-7. Epub 2001 Apr 17.
Induction of apoptosis and Fas receptor/Fas ligand expression by ischemia/reperfusion in cardiac myocytes requires serine 727 of the STAT-1 transcription factor but not tyrosine 701.
Stephanou A1, Scarabelli TM, Brar BK, Nakanishi Y, Matsumura M, Knight RA, Latchman DS.
Author information
1Medical Molecular Biology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
Figures 2 and 4a.
http://imgur.com/tNgNza1