معرفی
Kathryn E. Wellen is a Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. She holds dual affiliations as an Associate Investigator at the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and an Investigator at the Penn Epigenetics Institute. Her research focuses on the intersection of cellular metabolism, epigenetic regulation, and cancer progression, with a particular emphasis on nutrient-sensitive pathways like acetylation and glycosylation.
- Education:
- B.S. in Biological Psychology, College of William and Mary (2000)
- Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Genetics & Complex Diseases), Harvard University School of Public Health (2006)
Dr. Wellen's work investigates how metabolic pathways influence gene expression and signaling networks in diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Key mechanisms include ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY)-dependent histone acetylation and hexosamine pathway regulation of N-linked glycans, both of which impact tumor growth and cellular interactions with their environment.
Her recent publications highlight the role of acetyl-CoA metabolism in cancer (2023), obesity-induced immunosuppression via PD-1 upregulation (2024), and metabolic-epigenetic interactions in glioblastoma resistance (2023). She also explores fructose metabolism in liver disease (2020) and lactate's role in macrophage polarization (2021).
Dr. Wellen serves as Vice Chair of the Department of Cancer Biology and mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Her lab team includes Sydney Campbell, Luke Izzo, Hayley Affronti, Sully Fernandez, Alessandro Carrer, Sophie Trefely, and Steven Zhao.
