Keith Caldecott obtained his BSc (Hons) at Sheffield University and developed a deep interest in how cells repair broken DNA during his PhD with Penny Jeggo in London, at the National Institute for Medical Research. Keith's interest in genome damage and repair evolved further during his postdoctoral research in the laboratories of Larry Thompson, in California, and Tomas Lindahl FRS, in London. Keith then established his own laboratory at the University of Manchester, and in 2002 relocated to the Medical Research Council’s Genome Damage and Stability Centre at the University of Sussex.

Keith's research is focussed on identifying novel human genes involved in repairing DNA strand breaks, and uncovering their roles in preventing human genetic diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer. Keith’s work has identified new causes of genetic disease, and has contributed to their clinical diagnosis and management, world-wide.

Keith has been elected to EMBO, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and is Deputy Director of the Genome Damage and Stability Centre at the University of Sussex.