Tomas Lindahl studies the operation of cellular DNA repair mechanisms and their relation to the fields of cancer therapy and inherited genetic disorders. His work has helped to measure rates of DNA decay and identify a number of proteins involved in DNA repair.

As certain cancer therapies can induce DNA lesions — physical changes or breaks in the sequence —his findings have applications in the development of anticancer drugs targeted to mitigate this effect. Amongst his other research highlights are the discovery of a unique class of cellular enzymes, the methyltransferases; and his association of Bloom syndrome — a disorder which causes genetic instability — with the absence of DNA- joining enzyme, DNA ligase I.

Tomas has received many accolades in recognition of his work, including the Royal Society’s Royal Medal in 2007 and Copley Medal in 2010. He is also a Member of both the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and the Academia Europea; and a Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science.