Sir Jim Smith FMedSci FRS

Jim Smith is renowned for his work on cell-to-cell signalling in the early development of the amphibian embryo. His discovery of a mesoderm-inducing factor secreted by a cell line and establishing its identity as activin transformed the study of induction in the early embryo. He also showed that activin specifies different cell types at different thresholds and that characteristic genes like Brachyury are turned on at specific concentrations. His earlier work demonstrated threshold responses in chick limb development and also showed that the mitogenic response to growth factors can be active when attached to the extracellular matrix.

Professional position

  • Visiting Group Leader, The Francis Crick Institute
  • Director of Science, Wellcome Trust

Subject groups

  • Cell Biology

    Developmental biology

Committees Participated Role
Sectional Committee 7: Cell Biology December 2025 - November 1996 Chair
Committee Advising Council on General Candidates October 2024 - September 2027 Member
Council November 2020 - November 2023 Member
Biological Sciences Awards Committee January 2002 - December 2007 Member
Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Sr. R'search F'ship Panel January 1999 - December 2006 Member
Council December 1997 - November 1999 Member
Sectional Committee 7: Cell Biology December 1993 - November 1995 Member