Arlen Johnson

Arlen Johnson studies ribosomopathies, inherited disorders of ribosome biogenesis that paradoxically predispose to cancer despite causing cellular growth defects, including Diamond-Blackfan anemia, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, and 5q deletion syndrome. His research has revealed how haploinsufficiency of ribosomal proteins activates p53 and alters translational fidelity, creating selective pressures that drive cancer evolution. He has contributed to understanding the ribosome quality control pathway and its cancer relevance. His work illuminates the complex relationship between ribosome dysfunction and tumorigenesis.