Jessica Thaxton, PhD, MsCR , is an Associate Professor at the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology within the UNC School of Medicine . She is also a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and co-leader of its Cancer Cell Biology Research Program . Research Focus: Mechanistic studies of immune cell dysfunction in tumors, targeting cell stress signaling, metabolism, and organelle dynamics for novel cancer therapies. Collaborations: Head and neck cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, and metastatic bone disease oncologists. Techniques: Spectral flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and Seahorse bioanalysis. Research Interests: The Thaxton Lab investigates how the tumor microenvironment dysregulates immune cell metabolism and organelle dynamics, particularly in T cells. By repairing these processes, they aim to develop translational therapies for cancer patients. Their work bridges basic discovery with clinical applications, focusing on hypoxia-induced stress signaling and lipid metabolism. Scientific Trends: Recent publications highlight her team’s exploration of metabolic enzymes like Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC) that limit T-cell energy production in tumors. These studies integrate advanced imaging, genomic, and metabolic analyses to identify therapeutic strategies that enhance T-cell persistence and efficacy in solid tumors. Students and Collaborations: Her lab includes graduate students from Cell Biology & Physiology, Microbiology & Immunology, and Pharmacology. Notable contributions include Coral del Mar Alicea Pauneto’s work on stress signaling inhibition and Ellie Hunt’s research on lipid metabolism in T cells. Collaborations with senior scientist Genevieve Clutton and oncologists drive translational impact.



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