Jacqueline Lees

Jacqueline Lees is the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. Her work focuses on identifying molecular pathways in tumor formation using mouse and zebrafish models. Lees holds a PhD from the University of London (1990) and a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of York (1986). Her research integrates molecular/cellular analyses with genetic screens, particularly studying melanocyte biology and oncogenic drivers like MITF and GNAQ. Key areas include tumor suppression mechanisms, stem cell maintenance, and drug resistance in cancers like melanoma and glioma. The Lees Lab employs advanced imaging and genetic tools to uncover vulnerabilities in cancer pathways, with implications for targeted therapies.

Education

• PhD, Molecular Biology, 1990, University of London
• BSc, Biochemistry, 1986, University of York

Research Highlights

Lees' work bridges basic science and translational oncology, emphasizing:

• Genetic regulation of melanoma progression via GNAQ/11 mutations
• Role of E2F4 in ciliogenesis and cancer stemness
• PRMT5 splicing axis as a therapeutic target in glioma
• Functional studies of MITF in melanocyte differentiation and tumorigenesis

Lab Contributions

The Lees Lab develops innovative models (zebrafish, mouse) to study cancer initiation and metastasis. Recent work highlights the interplay between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), primary cilia, and Hedgehog signaling in breast cancer stemness. Collaborations focus on exploiting splicing vulnerabilities in malignant glioma. Experimental tools include CRISPR screens, live imaging, and pharmacological inhibitors.