Leveraging Cell Type-specific Mitochondrial Physiology to Target Mitochondria in Cancer

The Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences is hosting a seminar by Dr. Kelsey Fisher-Wellman, assistant professor at East Carolina University. All are welcome to join. 

Dr. Fisher-Wellman’s research is dedicated to exploring functional heterogeneity in mammalian mitochondria, and in particular cancer where the unique demands of malignancy almost certainly drive mitochondrial specialization. Using an innovative mitochondrial phenotyping platform that integrates discovery biochemistry with multi-omics technologies, originally published in Cell Reports, Dr. Fisher-Wellman’s lab mission is to create a bioenergetic “blueprint” of mitochondrial specialization in cancer to establish cancer-specific mitochondrial signatures amendable to targeted interventions. Dr. Fisher-Wellman research incorporates a three-phase system of Discovery (phase 1), Validation (phase 2), and Intervention (phase 3) to investigate acute myeloid leukemia (AML), colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) and anti-cancer immunity. By integrating comprehensive bioenergetic flux measurements with multi-omics technologies, Dr. Fisher-Wellman’s workflow has revealed intrinsic mitochondrial signatures unique to myeloid leukemias (AML), multidrug resistance, as well as solid-organ tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer) which will be highlighted during this seminar.