Massachusetts Institute of Technology · BiologyCancer Metabolism and Therapy Unit
Matthew G. Vander Heiden · Cambridge, Massachusetts
Research Focus
Dr. Matthew G. Vander Heiden's lab focuses on understanding how cancer cells alter their metabolism to support rapid growth and proliferation. By studying the unique metabolic requirements of different cancer types, the lab aims to discover how these processes can be targeted for cancer therapy. The research combines advanced techniques in biochemistry and mouse models to explore the limitations and variations in nutrient usage by cancer cells, providing insights that could lead to new treatments.
cancer metabolismtumor growthcell proliferationbiochemical pathwaysnutrient utilization
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how cancer cells adapt their metabolism for growth.
AIM 02Identify metabolic bottlenecks in different cancer types.
AIM 03Examine the influence of tumor genetics on metabolism.
AIM 04Explore how the tumor microenvironment affects nutrient utilization.
AIM 05Develop therapeutic strategies targeting altered cancer metabolism.
Skills the Lab Values
mass spectrometrycell culturemouse modelsbiochemical assaysgenetic manipulation
Output against the department
Publications699top 3% of dept.35th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations92ktop 1% of dept.14th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.