Dr Jonathan Griffin

MBChB (Hons) FRCPath PhD

School of Medicine and Population Health

Senior Clinical Lecturer in Histopathology

Honorary Consultant Histopathologist

Dr Jonathan Griffin
Dr Jonathan Griffin
Profile picture of Dr Jonathan Griffin
jonathan.griffin@sheffield.ac.uk
The Medical School

Full contact details

Dr Jonathan Griffin
School of Medicine and Population Health
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
Profile

For enquiries please contact - SMPH-West-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

I am a Senior Clinical Lecturer in Histopathology at University of Sheffield and Honorary Consultant Histopathologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I completed my primary medical degree at University of Leeds then pursued general and vascular surgery training in England, Scotland and New Zealand. In 2015 I started histopathology training in Sheffield.

I was awarded a Pathological Society/CRUK pre-doctoral fellowship in 2016. This led to a Jean Shanks Foundation/ Pathological Society Clinical PhD Fellowship (2019-2022) where I investigated the roles of R-loops in androgen signalling and prostate cancer under the supervision of Professor Sherif El-Khamisy and Professor Jim Catto. Following this I secured an NIHR Clinical Lectureship in Histopathology. I started my current role in September 2025.

My research interests include digital and molecular pathology, and their use in the discovery,  development and validation of biomarkers principally in urological cancers.

Qualifications
  • MBChB (Hons)
  • FRCPath
  • PhD
Research interests

My clinical and research interests are in urological (bladder, prostate, kidney and testis) and endocrine (thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal gland) pathology. I am interested in developing tissue biomarkers to better guide treatment in cancer affecting these organs. I am also interested in how we implement novel technologies such as digital pathology and AI in routine NHS pathology practice.

I am lead pathologist for the GUSTO and INVEST bladder cancer trials. In the phase 2 GUSTO RCT () we are investigating if gene expression subtyping of muscle invasive bladder cancer can be used to better select patients for neoadjuvant chemo and immunotherapy. This could improve outcomes and reduce treatment side effects. I run the subtyping laboratory for this trial and lead translational sample collection and analysis. We are collecting paired pre- and post- treatment tissue, digital pathology slides and plasma for circulating tumour markers. The subtyping laboratory is based in an NHS Histopathology laboratory and is the only facility in the UK performing bladder cancer subtyping. The laboratory team received an Achievement Award from the Royal College of Pathologists in recognition of this work.

INVEST is a phase 1 trial investigating immunotherapy given locally into the bladder rather than intravenously. This approach may reduce immunotherapy side and offer an alternative to established therapies such as intravesical BCG. Within INVEST I run the associated translational research programme, investigating markers of response in the tumour and its microenvironment. I also collaborate with the YCR-funded EVIDENT project, investigating ex-vivo drug profiling of tumours.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

  • Mittmann G, Laiouar-Pedari S, Mehrtens HA, Haggenmüller S, Bucher T-C, Chanda T, Gaisa NT, Wagner M, Klamminger GG, Rau TT , Neppl C et al (2025) . Nature Communications, 16(1).
  • Griffin J, Hartmann A & Comperat E (2024) . Virchows Archiv, 485, 879-888.
  • Griffin J, Down J, Quayle LA, Heath PR, Gibb EA, Davicioni E, Liu Y, Zhao X, Swain J, Wang D , Hussain S et al (2024) . The Journal of Pathology: Clinical Research, 10(2).
  • Ramachandran S, Ma TS, Griffin J, Ng N, Foskolou IP, Hwang M-S, Victori P, Cheng W-C, Buffa FM, Leszczynska KB , El-Khamisy SF et al (2021) . Nature Communications, 12(1).
  • Griffin J, Kitsanta P, Perunovic B, Suvarna SK & Bury J (2020) . Journal of Clinical Pathology, 73(8), 503-506.
  • Griffin J & Treanor D (2017) . Histopathology, 70(1), 134-145.

All publications

Journal articles

  • Mittmann G, Laiouar-Pedari S, Mehrtens HA, Haggenmüller S, Bucher T-C, Chanda T, Gaisa NT, Wagner M, Klamminger GG, Rau TT , Neppl C et al (2025) . Nature Communications, 16(1).
  • Schofield E, Catto JWF & Griffin J (2025) . European Urology, 88(5), 482-483.
  • Hussain SA, Oughton JB, Smith Whelan R, Green A, Riaz IB, Hubbard R, Kennish S, McCready D, Griffin J, Senior E , Bowler H et al (2025) . Journal of Clinical Oncology, 43(5_suppl), 773-773.
  • Conroy S, Jubber I, Noon AP, Rosario DJ, Griffin J, Morgan S, Hubbard R, Kennish S, Mitchell S, Venugopal S , Linton K et al (2025) . BJU International, 135(2), 329-338.
  • Griffin J, Hartmann A & Comperat E (2024) . Virchows Archiv, 485, 879-888.
  • Raju SA, Rawcliffe ME, Bowker-Howell FJ, Shiha MG, Kaur KE, Griffin J, Cross SS & Sanders DS (2024) . Nutrients, 16(13).
  • Crabb SJ, Hussain SA, Oughton JB, Swain J, Cairns DA, Collinson M, Ainsworth G, McCready D, Griffin J, Heath P , Quayle L et al (2024) . Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42(16_suppl), TPS4621-TPS4621.
  • Sivakumaar K, Griffin J, Schofield E, Catto JWF & Jubber I (2024) . Journal of Clinical Pathology, 77(5), 291-296.
  • Griffin J, Down J, Quayle LA, Heath PR, Gibb EA, Davicioni E, Liu Y, Zhao X, Swain J, Wang D , Hussain S et al (2024) . The Journal of Pathology: Clinical Research, 10(2).
  • Hussain SA, Oughton JB, Smith Whelan R, Green A, Hubbard R, Kennish S, Senior E, Kendall J, McCready D, Collinson FJ , Griffin J et al (2024) . Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42(4_suppl), TPS710-TPS710.
  • Griffin J (2023) . Rural and Remote Health, 23(4).
  • Qiang Z, Jubber I, Lloyd K, Cumberbatch M & Griffin J (2023) . Journal of Clinical Pathology, 76(12), 793-797.
  • Jubber I, Morhardt DR, Griffin J, Cumberbatch M, Glover M, Zheng Y, Rehman I, Loynes C, Hussain SA, Renshaw SA , Leach SD et al (2023) . Disease Models & Mechanisms, 16(7).
  • Conroy S, Griffin J, Cumberbatch M & Pathak S (2023) . BMJ Case Reports, 16(5), e252351-e252351.
  • Griffin J (2023) . European Urology, 83(2), 143-144.
  • Okoli UA, Akman G, Thavarajah V, Carmona Echeverria LM, Griffin J, Ohayi R, Freeman A, Haider A, Shaw G, Sridhar AN , Kelly J et al (2022) . Annals of Oncology, 33, S1413-S1414.
  • Okoli U, Akman G, Thavarajah V, Carmona Echeverria LM, Griffin J, Ohayi SR, Freeman A, Haider A, Shaw G, Sridhar AN , Kelly J et al (2022) . European Journal of Cancer, 174, S64-S64.
  • Thavarajah V, Akman G, Carmona Echeverria LM, Griffin J, Freeman A, Haider A, Shaw G, Narashima Sridhar A, Kelly J, Pye H , Crompton J et al (2022) . Annals of Oncology, 33, S1420-S1420.
  • Conroy S, Hubbard R, Noon AP, Hussain SA, Griffin J, Kennish S & Catto JWF (2022) . BJU International, 129(6), 691-694.
  • Palminha NM, Dos Santos Souza C, Griffin J, Liao C, Ferraiuolo L & El-Khamisy SF (2022) . Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 79(3).
  • Rayson A, Boudiffa M, Naveed M, Griffin J, Dall’Ara E & Bellantuono I (2022) . Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 10.
  • Griffin J, Chen Y, Catto JWF & El-Khamisy S (2022) . Journal of Clinical Pathology, 75(6), 361-364.
  • Ramachandran S, Ma TS, Griffin J, Ng N, Foskolou IP, Hwang M-S, Victori P, Cheng W-C, Buffa FM, Leszczynska KB , El-Khamisy SF et al (2021) . Nature Communications, 12(1).
  • Reed O, Jubber I, Griffin J, Noon A, Goodwin L, Hussain S, Cumberbatch M & Catto J (2020) . PLoS ONE, 15(10).
  • Griffin J & Jalil B (2020) . Diagnostic Histopathology, 26(7), 337-339.
  • Sitaraaman HB, Griffin J & Warren C (2020) . Diagnostic Histopathology, 26(6), 298-300.
  • Griffin J, Kitsanta P, Perunovic B, Suvarna SK & Bury J (2020) . Journal of Clinical Pathology, 73(8), 503-506.
  • Griffin J & Tahir F (2020) . Applied Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Morphology, 28(9), e82-e86.
  • Griffin J & Hughes D (2019) . Diagnostic Histopathology, 25(3), 120-121.
  • Grima MJ, Karthikesalingam A, Holt PJ, Kerr D, Chetter I, Harrison S, Sayers R, Roy I, Vallabhaneni SR, Dominic P , Bachoo P et al (2019) . European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 57(4), 521-526.
  • Griffin J, Bunning C & Dubé A (2019) . Journal of Clinical Pathology, 72(1), 86-89.
  • Griffin JL (2019) . European Urology, 75(1), 23-24.
  • Griffin J, Allsobrook O, Khurram SA, Hegarty A, Morley NJ & Fernando M (2018) . Diagnostic Histopathology, 24(7), 267-271.
  • Griffin J & Treanor D (2017) . Histopathology, 70(1), 134-145.
  • Griffin JL, Clarke GA, Roake JA & Lewis DR (2015) . Vascular, 23(2), 138-143.
  • McNicol RE, Bradley A, Griffin J, Duncan G, Eriksen CA & Guthrie GJK (2014) . International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 5(12), 1145-1147.
  • Dharmaraj RB, Griffin J, Ramanathan A & Buckenham T (2011) . European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 42(1), 132-132.
  • Dharmaraj RB, Griffin J, Ramanathan A & Buckenham T (2011) . EJVES Extra, 21(6), e36-e38.
  • Dharmaraj RB, Samah AHA, Griffin J & Ramanathan A (2010) A thrilling mass. New Zealand Medical Journal, 123(1327), 138-140.
  • Ashwell GK, Aslam AA, Griffin JL, Horsnell K, Rashid N, Shahzad N & Jubb AM (2006) Audit of influenza vaccination in primary care.. Br J Gen Pract, 56(527), 461.
  • Crane H, Young RJ, Fernando MS & Griffin J () . Journal of Clinical Pathology.

Book chapters

  • Griffin J & Bury J (2024) Responses to cellular injuty In Cross S (Ed.), Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach Elsevier
  • Bury J & Griffin J (2024) Disorders of growth, differentiation and morphogenesis In Cross S (Ed.), Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach Elsevier
  • Bury J & Griffin J (2018) , Bancroft S Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques Eighth Edition (pp. 476-492).

Conference proceedings

  • Crabb SJ, Hussain SA, Oughton JB, Swain J, Cairns DA, Collinson M, Ainsworth G, McCready D, Griffin J, Heath P , Quayle L et al (2024) Use of gene expression patterns to identify unique molecular subtypes in muscle invasive bladder cancer: GUSTO. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Vol. 42(16)
  • Turner O, Villa-Uriol M-C, Tchkonia T, Kirkland JL, Griffin J, Bellantuono I & Wyld L (2024) Degree of frailty impacts treatment & outcomes of breast cancer. FUTURE ONCOLOGY, Vol. 20 (pp 11-12)
  • Turner O, Morgan J, Sun Z, Juarez M, Villa-Uriol M-C, Tchkonia T, Kirkland JL, Griffin J, Bellantuono I & Wyld L (2024) Correlating frailty & senescence: a biomarker study. FUTURE ONCOLOGY, Vol. 20 (pp 17-18)
  • Griffin J, Down J, Quayle L, Heath P & Catto J (2023) Pathology Against the Clock: Verification of Gene Expression Subtyping for the GUSTO Clinical Trial. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 261(SUPPL1) (pp S49-S49)
  • Okoli U, Akman G, Thavarajah V, Carmona Echeverria LM, Griffin J, Ohayi SR, Freeman A, Haider A, Shaw G, Sridhar AN , Kelly J et al (2022) . European Journal of Cancer, Vol. 174 (pp S64)
  • Griffin JL, Wei W, Heath P & Catto JWF (2019) Low Levels of Intra-Tumour Heterogeneity in Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 249 (pp S12-S12)
  • Griffin JL (2019) Combining Clinical and Academic Training in Pathology. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 249 (pp S5-S5)
  • Griffin JL, Westwood A, Young C & Quirke P (2019) Inspiring the Next Generation: The National Academic Trainees' Network. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 249 (pp S23-S23)
  • Griffin JL, Freeman TM & Wang D (2018) Neo-antigen Prediction in Bladder Cancer. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 245 (pp S12-S12)
  • Griffin JL & Bury JP (2018) When You See Stripes, Think Mountant Not Zebra: A Digital Pathology Critical Incident Case Report. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 245 (pp S18-S18)
  • Challoner BR, Griffin JL, Horsu S & Staniforth JUL (2017) The Role of the Pathologist in Malignancy of Unknown Origin: A Multicentre Trainee-Led Service Evaluation. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 241 (pp S13-S13)
  • Griffin J, Kitsanta P, Suvarna SK, Perunovic B & Bury J (2016) Breaking the Ice: Digital Pathology for Remote Frozen Section Diagnosis - A Two-Year, Single-Centre Experience of 267 Cases. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 240 (pp 22-22)

Preprints

  • Jubber I, Morhardt DR, Griffin J, Cumberbatch M, Glover M, Zheng Y, Rehman I, Loynes C, Hussain SA, Renshaw SA , Leach SD et al (2023) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Research group
  • Cath Weaver – Research Assistant
  • Miriam Arrulo – Research Associate
  • Jenny Down – Research Associate
Grants
  • Cancer Research UK
  • Jean Shanks Foundation/ Pathological Society
  • Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Charity
  • Yorkshire Cancer Research
  • Industry funding and collaborations
Teaching interests

I teach medical students undertaking SSCs and Extended Clinical Placements in the histopathology department. Histopathology is linked to nearly all clinical specialities and is inherently visual. Teaching is usually based around macroscopy and dissection, and microscopy either using digital slides or at a conventional multi-header light microscope. Histopathology is also increasingly using molecular and genetic markers so provides a good platform for applying basic science to clinical practice.

Teaching activities
  • Dentistry BDS year 2 Integrated human disease lectures
  • Cancer biology and Therapeutics MSc lectures
  • Academic tutor for MBChB and PhD students