Kalluri Laboratory
Principal Investigator: Raghu Kalluri, M.D., Ph.D.
Frederick F. Becker Distinguished University Chair | Professor and Chairman, Department of Cancer Biology | Director, Metastasis Research Center
Areas of Research
- Cancer Biology
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Cancer Metastasis
- Fibrosis
- Angiogenesis
- Tissue Engineering
- Drug Development
Welcome to the Kalluri Laboratory at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. We investigate why and how cancer initiates and progresses with an implicit goal to develop new strategies for early detection and impactful treatments. The Kalluri Lab is credited with numerous fundamental contributions in the fields of matrix biology, regenerative medicine and extracellular vesicles biology as it relates to fibrotic diseases and cancer.
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Our Goal
We perform innovative and cutting-edge research to unravel how cells and their environment communicate to maintain organ health and how such communication networks in tissues are altered in cancer and other diseases.
Our Approach
Experimental Laboratory Research
The Kalluri Laboratory employs the latest cellular and molecular biology techniques, including single cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and proteomics, super resolution microscopy, advanced cell sorting methods, immunological analysis, flow cytometry, genetic analysis, and nanoimaging. We utilize various pre-clinical models and are a leading laboratory for generation and use of genetically engineered mouse models of cancer for advancement of detection and treatment.
Sample publications:
Mahadevan KK, Dyevoich AM, Chen Y, Li B, Sugimoto H, Sockwell AM, McAndrews KM, Sthanam LK, Wang H, Shalapour S, Watowich SS, Kalluri R. Type I conventional dendritic cells facilitate immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Science. 2024 Jun 28;384(6703):eadh4567. PMID: 38935717.
Zhou X, LeBleu VS, Fletcher-Sananikone E, Kim J, Dai J, Li B, Wu CC, Sugimoto H, Miyake T, Becker LM, Volpert OV, Lawson E, Espinosa Da Silva C, Patel SI, Kizu A, Ehsanipour EA, Sha D, Karam JA, McAndrews KM, Kalluri R. Vascular heterogeneity of tight junction Claudins guides organotropic metastasis. Nat Cancer. 2024 Sep;5(9):1371-1389. PMID: 39289595.
McAndrews KM, Chen Y, Darpolor JK, Zheng X, Yang S, Carstens JL, Li B, Wang H, Miyake T, Correa de Sampaio P, Kirtley ML, Natale M, Wu CC, Sugimoto H, LeBleu VS, Kalluri R. Identification of Functional Heterogeneity of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts with Distinct IL-6 Mediated Therapy Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Discov 12(6):1580-1597, 6/2022. PMID: 35348629.
Chen Y, Yang S, Tavormina J, Tampe D, Zeisberg M, Wang H, Mahadevan KK, Wu CJ, Sugimoto H, Chang CC, Jenq RR, McAndrews KM, Kalluri R. Oncogenic collagen I homotrimers from cancer cells bind to α3β1 integrin and impact tumor microbiome and immunity to promote pancreatic cancer. Cancer Cell. 2022 Aug 8;40(8):818-834.e9. PMID: 35868307.
Computational Biology and Bioengineering
Bench-to-Bedside Translation
Training and mentorship are core commitments of the lab. We advise trainees at all career stages, and research opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels are available in the Kalluri Laboratory.