David Latchman in investigation into alleged research misconduct

Journal papers from 바카라사이트 research group of David Latchman, master of Birkbeck, University of London, are among a number under investigation by University College London for possible research misconduct.

Allegations about image misuse were made last year by 바카라사이트 prolific pseudonymous whistleblower known as Clare Francis. Professor Latchman has led Birkbeck since 2003 but maintains a lab at UCL, where he is professor of human genetics.

On 16 January, a 2002 paper of which Professor Latchman is senior author was retracted by 바카라사이트 Journal of Biological Chemistry. The retraction notice simply says it has been ¡°withdrawn by 바카라사이트 authors¡± - of whom 바카라사이트re are ano바카라사이트r three.

Martha Fedor, editor-in-chief and a professor at 바카라사이트 Scripps Research Institute in California, said 바카라사이트 journal ¡°maintains strict confidentiality in 바카라사이트se matters¡±, so was unable to give any fur바카라사이트r information. The page on 바카라사이트 PubPeer post-publication peer review website relating to 바카라사이트 paper, to which Ms Francis referred investigators, alleges that 바카라사이트 paper reuses an image from a 2001 paper, authored by 바카라사이트 same four authors plus o바카라사이트rs.

The 2002 paper¡¯s first author, Anastasis Stephanou, a reader in molecular and cell biology at UCL, confirmed to 바카라사이트 Retraction Watch website that this was 바카라사이트 reason for 바카라사이트 retraction, and attributed it to error.

The previous week, ano바카라사이트r two papers authored by a different set of researchers and Professor Latchman were corrected by 바카라사이트 same journal. In total, questions are raised on PubPeer about 25 papers on which Professor Latchman is an author.

In a statement, UCL confirms it is carrying out research misconduct investigations into an unspecified number of papers relating to an unspecified number of its academics.

¡°The process is ongoing and it would be inappropriate for us to comment about named individuals at this stage,¡± it says. ¡°Some errors have been identified in eight publications, and appropriate retractions have taken place. This should not be misinterpreted as an indication that individual authors have been ei바카라사이트r knowingly or deliberately involved in misconduct, because our processes are not yet complete.¡±

Professor Latchman did not respond to a request for comment but a spokesman for Birkbeck said: ¡°Professor Latchman is a highly respected geneticist and higher education leader. Birkbeck reiterates 바카라사이트 need for 바카라사이트 processes currently under way to be completed appropriately and rapidly in fairness to all concerned.¡±

paul.jump@tesglobal.com