Kaech Lab
Principal Investigator: Susan M Kaech
Institution: Salk Institute for Biological Studies (La Jolla, CA)
Primary Subfield: Molecular & Cell Bio
Recruitment Status: ✅ Hiring Postdocs
Research Focus
PROJECT SUMMARY – Core 1: Tumor and Microenvironment Heterogeneity Core The central hypothesis driving efforts of the TMH Core is that immune and other stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to both inherent and acquired therapeutic resistance in PDA. Such cells vary phenotypically, functionally, metabolically, and spatially within the TME, creating distinct niches. For example, functionally specialized immune cells (e.g., macrophages, T cells, neutrophils) are common within the TME and can promote or suppress tumor growth. Likewise, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to extracellular matrix formation, tumor invasion/metastasis, and T cell exclusion, and can be subdivided into myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) that differentially affect tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. Thus, characterizing cellular and functional heterogeneity and TME localization, and understanding how they contribute to therapeutic resistance is key to developing effective therapies. Utilizing expertise in single cell transcriptomics, epigenomics, functional assays, and digital spatial profiling (DSP), the Core will interrogate how cellular dive…
Active NIH Awards
- 5P01CA265762-04: Core 1: Tumor and Microenvironment Heterogeneity Core (TMH Core) (2026)
- 5U01CA293476-02: Understanding omega-3 and 6 fatty acid dependent regulation of inflammatory signals in pancreatic cancer (2026)
- 5P01CA265762-03: Core 1: Tumor and Microenvironment Heterogeneity Core (TMH Core) (2025)
- 5R01AI066232-21: Regulation of memory CD8 T cell development (2025)
- 1U01CA293476-01A1: Understanding omega-3 and 6 fatty acid dependent regulation of inflammatory signals in pancreatic cancer (2025)
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