Rajesh Thakker

Thakker's research investigates neuroendocrine tumours such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)^{[3][11][13][14]} and the molecular basis of disorders of calcium homeostasis.^[7] He has supervised nine successful Doctor of Philosophy students^{[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]} and his research has been funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC).^[24]

Thakker has edited several books including Genetic and Molecular Biological Aspects of Endocrine Disease,^[25] Molecular Genetics of Endocrine Disorders,^[26] and Genetics of Bone Biology and Skeletal Disease.^[27]

Thakker was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2014. His nomination reads:

Thakker has made a sustained series of major contributions to endocrinology, particularly parathyroid and renal disorders affecting calcium homeostasis. His research at the basic-science and clinical interface has resulted in seminal gene discoveries and insights into molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms. These include: identification of functional pathways of calcium-sensing, through characterisation of mutations of the calcium-sensing-receptor, a G-protein-coupled- receptor (GPCR), and its signalling pathway through G-protein-alpha-11-subunit (Gα11) and adaptor-protein-2-sigma-subunit (AP2σ), which regulates GPCR endocytosis; and defining a molecular-based taxonomy of syndromic and non-syndromic hyperparathyroid and hypoparathyroid disorders that has resulted in new pathophysiological insights and advances in diagnosis and treatment.^[28]

Thakker is married to Julie Clare Magee and has one daughter, Clare Thakker, who has qualified as a doctor from Clare College, Cambridge.^[1] He is a school governor at Oxford High School, Oxford.^[29]