Education
Research Summary
The Kaiser lab studied protein folding and intracellular trafficking in the yeast S. cerevisiae. Their work focused on the protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), quality control mechanisms in the ER, and membrane protein sorting in Golgi compartments. They combined genetic, biochemical, and cell biological methods to gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying each of these processes. Chris Kaiser is no longer accepting students.
Education
- PhD, 2001, Johns Hopkins University
- BS, 1993, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University
Research Summary
Many human cancers do not respond to chemotherapy, and often times those that initially respond eventually acquire drug resistance. Our lab uses high-throughput screening technology — combined with murine stem reconstitution and tumor transplantation systems — to investigate the genetic basis for this resistance. Our goal is to identify novel cancer drug targets, as well as strategies for tailoring existing cancer therapies to target the vulnerabilities associated with specific malignancies.
Education
- PhD, 1976, Cornell University
Research Summary
The Constantine-Paton lab focused on the Flailer mutant mouse, which carries a brain region-specific dominant negative gene for the actin motor protein MyosinVa and shows a series of abnormal behaviors. They designed a CRISPR-Cas9 that removes this dominant negative mutation from certain brain regions to dissect the contribution of each region to normal behavior. Martha Constantine-Paton is no longer accepting students.
Awards
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2015
Education
- PhD, 1988, Stanford University
- BS, 1983, Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Summary
Our goal is to understand the mechanisms and regulation behind AAA+ unfoldases and macromolecular machines from the “Clp/Hsp100 family” of protein unfolding enzymes. We study these biological catalysts using biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, genetics, and single molecule biophysics.
No longer accepting students.
Awards
- Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow, 2008-2018
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2007
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2005
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Investigator, 1994
Education
- MD, 1965, Harvard Medical School
Research Summary
After retiring as President at Merck Research Laboratories, Edward Scolnick founded the Stanley Center in 2007, two-and-a-half years after moving to the Broad Institute. His goal is to enhance our understanding of serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Given that our genetic code greatly influences our risk for developing such diseases, he works to unravel the genome and provide insight into underlying biochemical abnormalities.
Education
- PhD, 1979, University of Minnesota
- BS, 1975, Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Research Summary
The Lauffenburger laboratory emphasizes integration of experimental and mathematical/computational analysis approaches, toward development and validation of predictive models for physiologically-relevant behavior in terms of underlying molecular and molecular network properties. Our work has been recognized as providing contributions fostering the interface of bioengineering, quantitative cell biology, and systems biology. Our main focus has been on fundamental aspects of cell dysregulation, complemented by translational efforts in identifying and testing new therapeutic ideas. Applications addressed have chiefly resided in various types of cancer (including breast, colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers along with leukemias and lymphomas), inflammatory pathologies (such as endometriosis, Crohn’s disease, colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease), and the immune system (mainly for vaccines against pathogens such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis). We have increasingly emphasized complex tissue contexts, including mouse models, human subjects, and tissue-engineered micro-physiological systems platforms in association with outstanding collaborators. From our laboratory have come more than 100 doctoral and postdoctoral trainees. Many hold faculty positions at academic institutions in the USA, Canada, and Europe; others have gone on to research positions in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies; and others yet have moved into policy and government agency careers.
Awards
- Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education, National Academy of Engineering, 2021
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Member, 2019
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2001
- John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Guggenheim Fellowship, 1989
Education
- PhD, 2000, University of Chicago; MD, 2002, University of Chicago
- SB, 1994, Biological Chemistry, University of Chicago
Research Summary
We study the biochemical pathways cells use and how they are regulated to meet the metabolic requirements of cells in different physiological situations. We focus on the role of metabolism in cancer, particularly how metabolic pathways support cell proliferation. We aim to translate our understanding of cancer cell metabolism into novel cancer therapies.
Awards
- National Academy of Medicine, 2024
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Faculty Scholar, 2016
- SU2C Innovative Research Grant Recipient, 2016
Education
- PhD, 1971, MIT
- MA, 1970, Biochemistry, Cambridge University
- BA, 1966, Biochemistry, Cambridge University
Research Summary
We study the mechanisms underlying the spread of tumor cells throughout the body, known as metastasis. We are particularly interested in the role of the extracellular matrix — a fibrillar meshwork of proteins that surrounds both normal and tumor cells, which plays many important roles in tumor progression. We also investigate changes in the metastatic cells themselves and in the contributions of normal cells, both in terms of metastasis and other bodily functions.
Awards
- Paget-Ewing Award, Metastasis Research Society, 2018
- Inaugural American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Fellow, 2016
- American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy, Fellow, 2014
- Distinguished Investigator Award, International Society for Matrix Biology, 2012
- Earl Benditt Award, North American Vascular Biology Organization, 2010
- Robert and Claire Pasarow Medical Research Award – Cardiovascular, 2008
- E.B. Wilson Medal, American Society for Cell Biology, 2007
- President, American Society for Cell Biology, 2000
- Gairdner Foundation International Award, 1997
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 1996
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 1995
- Royal Society of London, Fellow, 1989
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Investigator, 1988
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow, 1987
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 1987
- John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Guggenheim Fellowship, 1982
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, please email rhynes-admin@mit.edu.
Education
- PhD, 2001, University of Massachusetts Medical School
- BS, 1990, Biomedical Science, Framingham State University
Research Summary
We investigate how complex circuits of genes are regulated to produce robust developmental outcomes particularly during heart development. A main focus is to determine how DNA is packaged into chromatin, and how ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers modify this packaging to control lineage commitment. We are now applying these principles to develop methods to stimulate repair of damaged cardiac tissue (e.g., regeneration). Our ability to combine genomic, genetic, biochemical, and cell biological approaches both in vitro and in vivo as well as ongoing efforts to use tissue engineering to model the 3D architecture of the heart will ultimately allow us to gain a systems level and quantitative understanding of the regulatory circuits that promote normal heart development and how faulty regulation can lead to disease.
Awards
- Medicine by Design Distinguished Lecture, 2017
- Cardiovascular Rising Star Distinguished Lecture, 2017
- American Heart Association Innovative Research Award, 2013
- Irvin and Helen Sizer Career Development Award, 2012
- Smith Family Award for Excellence in Biomedical Science, 2009
- Massachusetts Life Sciences Center New Investigator Award, 2008
- Pew Scholars Award in the Biomedical Sciences, 2008
- Honorary Doctorate, Framingham State College, 2007
- The Scientific American World’s 50 Top Leaders in Research, Business or Policy, 2006
