Jean J. Zhao, PhD

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Academic Titles

Professor, Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Breast Cancer

Member, Cancer Immunology

Research Abstract

Kinase signaling in cancer

We are interested in how kinases in general, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) in particular, control malignant transformation. The work of our laboratory integrates molecular biology, tissue engineering and novel mouse models of human cancer to study oncogenic alterations in kinases that are involved in primary tumor formation and metastasis. In addition to our unique genetically engineered mouse models, we have developed a number of additional experimental systems, including, synthetic human tumors, and kinome-wide libraries of activated kinases to elucidate the mechanisms by which kinases function in cancer. We hope our studies will allow us to harness the potential of these molecules as specific targets for cancer therapies.