Alex Gould is a developmental biologist working in the field of developmental metabolism. He has combined innovative metabolic profiling and imaging methods with genetic analysis in order to identify how animals respond to environmental stresses during early life.
Alex’s research has shown how exposure to mild metabolic stresses during development can lead to substantial increases in longevity. He has also identified key metabolic processes that selectively protect neural stem cells in the developing brain from starvation and hypoxia. Alex’s work has shown at the cellular and molecular level how organisms adapt, within their lifetime, to an adverse environment.
Alex is a principal group leader at the Francis Crick Institute and a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. He is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization and a recipient of the Hooke Medal.
Professional positions
Senior Group Leader, Physiology and Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute
Interest and expertise
Subject groups
Microbiology, immunology and developmental biology
Developmental biology, Genetics (excluding population genetics)
Anatomy, physiology and neurosciences
Physiology incl biophysics of cells (non-clinical)