Nora Kory, PhD

Harvard T.H. Chan School Of Public Health

Academic Titles

Assistant Professor, Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School Of Public Health

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Cancer Cell Biology

Research Abstract

Alterations in metabolic flux, mitochondrial function and redox homeostasis allow cancer cells to proliferate and survive in the tumor microenvironment. Using functional genomics, metabolite profiling, biochemistry, imaging approaches and in vivo mouse studies we investigate the mechanisms underlying metabolite and redox cofactor compartmentalization. We focus specifically on the role of mitochondrial transporters, central metabolic gatekeepers, in determining cell state and function. Solute carriers are attractive pharmacological targets, yet many members belonging to this class of proteins are still uncharacterized and remain difficult to study. We are building on our discoveries in one-carbon metabolism and NAD compartmentalization to develop new approaches to studying mitochondrial transporters, and use them as tools to understand how alterations in mitochondrial function and signaling contribute to the development of cancer. As part of these efforts we are interested in collaborating with clinical investigators to identify potential novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.