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Signal Transduction and Chemical Biology Research Program

The pathways that send chemical signals from the cell surface to the nucleus are major targets of genotype-driven therapies for cancer. The Signal Transduction and Chemical Biology Research Program aims to better understand how changes in tumor cells alter these signaling networks, and to identify—or create—molecules that target these pathways as potential new therapies for cancer.


The Signal Transduction and Chemical Biology Research Program is organized into four groups with common research interests:

Cell Cycle Control

Identifying how changes in key cell cycle proteins help tumor cells escape the typical response of cell death and lead to uncontrollable growth

Chemical Biology

Finding and developing compounds that inhibit key drivers of cancer formation

Signaling Networks

Combining ‘big data’ experimental approaches to understand the changes in signaling networks that drive cancer formation

Stem Cell Biology

Determining how cancer-initiating stem cells continuously renew and seed distant sites to promote metastasis, and understanding the role of these cells in resistance to chemotherapies

Meet the Program Members

The Signal Transduction and Chemical Biology program, led by Ian Macara, PhD, and Stephen Fesik, PhD, is an active group of over 40 basic, translational, and clinical scientists whose goal is to understand how signaling networks control cell proliferation and function, to identify drug leads, and to develop new cancer therapeutics.

Program Leader

Ian Macara, Ph.D.


Stephen W. Fesik, Ph.D.

All Program Members

Featured Publications

View Abstract

Lampi MC, Reinhart-King CA (ST).

Sci Transl Med 2018 JAN 3 10(422) PMID:29298864


The Plk1 Piece of the Nuclear Envelope Disassembly Puzzle

Dawson TR, Wente SR (ST)

Dev. Cell 2017 OCT 23 43(2):115-117 PMID:29065301


Chronicle of a Neuronal Death Foretold: Preventing Aging by Keeping MGRN1 at the Nucleus

Ortolano NA, Gama VL (ST)

Mol. Cell 2017 MAY 4 66(3):301-303 PMID:28475865


Myelin Avoids the JAM.

Follis RM, Carter BD (ST).

Neuron 2016 AUG 17 91(4):713-6 PMID:27537479.


Head of the Class: OLIG2 and Glioblastoma Phenotype.

Leelatian N, Ihrie RA (ST).

Cancer Cell 2016 MAY 9 29(5):613-5 PMID:27165737


Program News The exocyst dynamo Evading cell death

A recent study reveals how cellular structures called 'stress granules' help cells evade death. The findings may lead to new strategies for improving the efficacy of cancer therapy.
More Program News

Seminars & Events

VICC Seminar Series: Patricia Ernst, PhD

24 January 2019

VICC Seminar Series: Erik Andersen, PhD

14 March 2019

Back to the future: investigating cell state changes in cancer from a developmental perspective

04 April 2019

More Program Events

Questions about our Research Programs?

Contact us by email or call (615) 936-1782

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