Sonia Lain is a Professor of Molecular Cancer Pharmacology at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. She leads the "Discovery and Elucidation of the mechanisms of Action of Tumour Selective Compunds" research group, with part of her laboratory also located at Science for Life Laboratories in Stockholm. Her work focuses on developing novel cancer therapeutics through molecular pharmacology approaches targeting tumor suppressor mechanisms. Dr. Lain's educational and professional background includes: Doctoral studies in virology at the Centro de Biología Molecular de Madrid Postdoctoral work at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) with an EMBO fellowship on oncoviruses Postdoctoral and group leader position at the University of Dundee (Scotland) where she reached Lecturer rank Docent at Karolinska Institutet (2012) Professor of Molecular Cancer Pharmacology at Karolinska Institutet (2015-present) Dr. Lain's primary research focuses on cancer pharmacology with special emphasis on tumor suppressor p53 and nucleotide metabolism. Her laboratory investigates how to activate p53 through various mechanisms, particularly by targeting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), an enzyme involved in pyrimidine ribonucleotide synthesis. Her groundbreaking work demonstrated that the tumor suppressor p53 can be activated by inhibiting its nuclear export, leading to the development of molecules that inhibit nuclear export for cancer treatment. Her team has discovered dozens of molecules that activate p53 through multiple molecular mechanisms, with current research focused on identifying and improving molecules that alter nucleotide synthesis for selective cancer therapy. Analysis of Dr. Lain's publication record reveals a strategic progression from fundamental molecular mechanisms to therapeutic applications. Her work shows how nucleotide metabolism, particularly pyrimidine synthesis through DHODH, can be exploited for cancer treatment. Recent research has expanded to include metabolic effects beyond direct cancer cell killing, such as impacts on glucose metabolism and immune function, demonstrating the complexity of targeting metabolic pathways in cancer. Her group has developed novel compounds like the HZ series that specifically target DHODH with promising therapeutic potential. Dr. Lain's research group includes several key members who contribute to the laboratory's work: Suhas Darekar - Senior Research Specialist Muhammad Mushtaq - Research Specialist The Lain laboratory operates within the Division of Tumor Biology at Karolinska Institutet, with facilities at both the main campus and Science for Life Laboratories. The group maintains extensive collaborations with other researchers at Karolinska Institutet and internationally, as evidenced by numerous co-authored publications. Their research integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and cancer biology approaches to develop novel therapeutic strategies that selectively target cancer cells while preserving normal cell function, representing a promising direction in cancer treatment development.
