After graduating in Biochemistry from UCL Martin completed a PhD with Marc Feldmann studying the regulation of cytokine gene expression where he contributed to the basic science studies that led to the identification of TNF as a target in rheumatoid arthritis. He worked with Victor Tybulewicz at the MRC-National Institute of Medical Research where he identified elements of signal transduction necessary for the development of lymphocytes.

He joined the Babraham Institute in 1997 where he continued research into signal transduction identifying roles for PI3K in lymphocyte development and activation. Some of this work underpinned the rationale for the use of inhibitors of PI3K delta in human malignancy.

Recent work by his group seeks to understand how RNA-processing mechanisms control the development and function of B and T lymphocytes.  He is interested in RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs and how these function within signal transduction networks to control cell differentiation and immunity.