Department of Cancer Biology
The Department of Cancer Biology performs lab-based research investigating the molecular pathways driving cancer. We use discoveries about the basic functioning of these pathways to develop novel cancer diagnostics and therapies based on precision medicine. Our team has contributed to a new generation of smart drugs such as imatinib (Gleevec) and gefitinib (Iressa) — bringing the promise of precision medicine closer to reality.
Explore Our Research Focus Areas
Structural Biology
We conduct studies to determine the three-dimensional structures of cancer-associated molecules, how these structures are formed, and how structural alterations affect function. These studies reveal critical features of cancer-associated molecules that inform strategies to target them.
Featured Faculty
Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery
Chemists in our department study the chemical reactions that underlie core biological processes. This enables them to synthesize bioactive molecules and develop small molecule inhibitors for cancer therapy.
Featured Faculty
Gene Regulation
Cancer growth is often fueled by changes in the regulation of gene expression programs. We study the function of proteins that regulate gene expression in cancer and how epigenetic modifications – chemical modifications to DNA or to histones (the proteins that compact DNA) that control gene expression – are altered in cancer. We use this knowledge to devise strategies to restore gene expression patterns to target cancer.
Featured Faculty
Signaling Mechanisms
We investigate the disruption of the molecular pathways governing growth, leading to cancer. Our discoveries provide the basis for new therapies that target molecular defects in specific cancers and help to improve immune system targeting of tumors.
Featured Faculty
Systems Biology and Artificial Intelligence
Systems biologists study the interactions of molecular and cellular components that give rise to emergent behaviors of complex biological systems. We use machine learning and artificial intelligence to model complex pathways and large datasets to discover new nodes of vulnerability in cancer that we can target and to narrow down chemical space to find new small molecule drugs.
Featured Faculty
Bioengineering and Protein Design
Researchers in our department are developing innovative new ways to engineer cancer vaccines and target cancer proteins. In addition, they are designing new proteins for cancer drug delivery and other therapeutic applications.
Featured Faculty
Energy Homeostasis and Metabolism
The regulation of energy intake and utilization at the cellular and organismic level is of profound importance to human health and many cancers hijack metabolic pathways to fuel their growth. We use a combination of biochemical, genetic, and computational techniques to define key molecules and metabolic pathways and find ways to drug them.
Featured Faculty
Support Our Cancer Research
To learn more about the many ways you can support Dana-Farber's research initiatives with a philanthropic gift, please email Rebecca Shortle or call 617-632-4215.
Explore Publications
View publications by members of the Department of Cancer Biology.
Contact Cancer Biology
If you are interested in learning more about our research, please email Priya Prakash Budde, PhD.
Recent Topics in Cancer Biology
