Dan D. Billadeau

Daniel D. Billadeau is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Professor of Immunology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He serves as Chair of the Department of Immunology and Deputy Director of Basic Research at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. His primary appointment is in the Division of Oncology Research, with joint appointments in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology.

• Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
• Department of Immunology
• Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Research focus: Immunology, Cancer Biology, Cell Signaling

Education:

• PhD in Pathobiology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• BS in Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• Research Fellow, Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic

Dr. Billadeau's research centers on the molecular regulation of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, particularly the mechanisms of lytic granule release and cell-mediated killing. His lab also investigates the role of the WASH and CCC complexes in endosomal trafficking and their implications in cancer, immunodeficiency, and neurodegenerative diseases. A major focus is pancreatic cancer, where his team develops disease models and identifies novel therapeutic targets. His work bridges fundamental cell biology with translational applications in oncology and immunology.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in understanding immune cell function (especially CD8+ T and NK cells), cancer metabolism, structural biology of trafficking complexes, and genetic mechanisms of disease. Key themes include mTOR signaling, lysosomal regulation, FASN inhibition in pancreatic cancer, and the structural basis of Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. His research is highly collaborative and funded by the National Cancer Institute and NIDDK.

Scientific Awards:

• Research Award, Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics (2022)
• Edmond A. and Marion F. Guggenheim Professor (2015)

Dr. Billadeau leads multiple NIH-funded research projects, including as Principal Investigator on grants from NCI and NIAID, and as Co-PI on training and discovery grants from NIDDK. His lab mentors postdoctoral fellows and collaborates extensively across institutions. He is actively involved in predoc and postdoc training programs, contributing to the development of future biomedical scientists.

His research is conducted within the Immunology Department and affiliated centers including the Immunology Research Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology (C-SiG), the David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapeutics Program, and the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department. His lab is part of a larger network of cancer and cell biology research at Mayo Clinic.