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, 1969, MIT
- SB, 1964, Biology, MIT
Research Summary
We investigate three broad questions related to the origin and spread of cancer. First, how do cancer cells within a primary tumor acquire the ability to invade and metastasize? Second, how are the stem-cell state and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition interrelated? Third, how are the regulators of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition able to activate this profound change in cell phenotype?
Awards
- Japan Prize, Japan Prize Foundation, 2021
- Salk Institute Medal for Research Excellence, 2016
- Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, 2013
- Wolf Foundation Prize, 2004
- Institute of Medicine, Member, 2000
- Keio Medical Science Foundation Prize, 1997
- National Science Foundation, National Medal of Science, 1997
- Harvey Prize, 1994
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 1987
- Sloan Prize, GM Cancer Research Foundation, 1987
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 1985
- Robert Koch Foundation Prize, 1983
Education
- PhD, 1987, Case Western Reserve University; MD, 1989, Case Western Reserve University
- BS, 1981, Chemistry with Concentration in Solid-State and Polymer Physics, Cornell University
Research Summary
Our goal is to understand how signaling pathways are integrated at the molecular and systems levels to control cellular responses. We have two main focuses: First, we study signaling pathways and networks that control cell cycle progression and DNA damage responses in cancer and cancer therapy. Second, we examine the cross-talk between inflammation, cytokine signaling and cancer. Much of our work focuses on how modular protein domains and kinases work together to build molecular signaling circuits, and how this information can be used to design synergistic drug combinations for the personalized treatment of human disease.
Awards
- MacVicar Faculty Fellow, 2021
- Fellow, Association of American Physicians, 2021
- Teaching with Digital Technology Award, 2018
Education
- PhD, 2008, University of Michigan; MD, 2008, University of Michigan Medical School
- BS, 1999, Biochemistry and Physics, University of Michigan
Research Summary
The adult intestine is maintained by stem cells that require a cellular neighborhood, or niche, consisting in part of Paneth cells. Our laboratory will investigate the molecular mechanisms of how intestinal stem cells and their Paneth cell niche respond to diverse diets to coordinate intestinal regeneration with organismal physiology and its impact on the formation and growth of intestinal cancers. By better understanding how intestinal stem cells adapt to diverse diets, we hope to identify and develop new strategies that prevent and reduce the growth of cancers involving the intestinal tract that includes the small intestine, colon, and rectum.
Awards
- AAAS Martin and Rose Wachtel Cancer Research Award, 2018
- Pew-Stewart Trust Scholar, 2016-2020
- Sidney Kimmel Scholar, 2016-2020
- V Foundation Scholar, 2014-2017
- Harold M. Weintraub Award, 2007
Education
- PhD, 1979, Yale University
- BS, 1975, Biological Sciences, Indiana University
Research Summary
We use experimental and computational technologies to determine how signaling pathways, transcription factors, chromatin regulators and small RNAs regulate gene expression in healthy and diseased cells. Our interests range from the basic molecular mechanisms behind gene control to drug development for cancer and other diseases caused by gene misregulation.
Awards
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 2019
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2012
Education
- PhD, 2011, MIT
- BS, 2006, Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras
Research Summary
We focus on the molecular entities controlling and coordinating RNA metabolism — that is, the compendium of processes that involve RNA, including protein synthesis, processing, modifications, export, translation and degradation. Our goal is to understand how different aspects of RNA metabolism are controlled to generate structure and function during development, as well as how mutations in components of the RNA metabolic program lead to congenital disorders and cancer.
Education
- PhD, 1971, Brandeis University
- BS, 1966, Biology, Brandeis University
Research Summary
We use genetic approaches to identify the molecular basis of human disease pathology. More specifically, we develop strategies to combat three major disease areas: cancer, trinucleotide repeat disorders like Huntington’s disease, and cardiovascular disease.
Awards
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 1997
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 1994
Education
- PhD, 1988, University of California, San Francisco
- SB, 1983, Biology, Harvard University
Research Summary
Dr. Jacks’ research has focused on developing new methods for the construction and characterization of genetically engineered mouse models or GEMMs of human cancer, and recently has moved into the burgeoning area of tumor immunology to understand the interactions between the immune system and cancer. His group has produced GEMMs with constitutive and conditional mutations in several tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, and genes involved in oxidative stress, DNA repair and epigenetic control of gene expression. These GEMMS have been used to examine the mechanism of tumor initiation and progression, to uncover the molecular, genetic and biochemical relationship to the human diseases, as tools to study response and resistance to chemotherapy, and to explore methods in molecular imaging and early detection of cancer.
Awards
- AACR Princess Takamatsu Memorial Lectureship, 2020
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, James R Killian Jr Faculty Achievement Award, 2015
- Sergio Lombroso Award in Cancer Research, 2015
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 2012
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 2009
- Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, Member, 2009
- Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research, 2005
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, HHMI Investigator, 1994
Education
- PhD, 1969, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- BA, 1966, Chemistry and Math, Union College
Research Summary
We investigate small, non-coding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs), which regulate over half of the genes in mammalian cells at the stages of translation and mRNA stability. We are also interested in the processes underlying transcription from the anti-sense strand (so-called “divergent” transcription), as well as the relationship between elongation of transcription, RNA splicing, and chromatin modifications.
Awards
- AACR Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research, 2020
- AACR Distinguished Award for Extraordinary Scientific Innovation and Exceptional Leadership in Cancer Research and Biomedical Science, 2018
- Royal Society of London, Foreign Fellow, 2011
- National Science Foundation, National Medal of Science, 2004
- The Nobel Foundation, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1993
- National Academy of Medicine, Member, 1991
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow, 1987
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow, 1987
- National Academy of Sciences, Member, 1983
