University of Vermont Cancer Center Member Profile
Yvonne Janssen-Heininger, PhD
Program Co-Leader, Cancer Cell, UVM Cancer Center
Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine-Research
Full Member
Cancer Cell (CC)
Academic Interests
I direct an NIH-funded research laboratory that is interested in lung fibrosis and lung cancer and the intersection between the two. My area of expertise is in epithelial cell and redox biology. Changes in the oxidative environment (redox) are well known to contribute to both fibrosis and lung cancer. Protein cysteines are redox sensors that transduce the signal from oxidations into biological responses, via precisely orchestrated events, like phosphorylation. We can now measure these events with nanoscale precision, design thiol-based covalent drugs to prevent key protein oxidations from occurring, or target redox pathways that control specific redox protein perturbations. As S-glutathionylation is a dominant redox based protein modification, my laboratory is examining that pathways that govern S-glutathionylation and its implications for lung cancer, chemotherapy and check point inhibitor resistance. We use genetic mouse models of lung cancer and primary tumor-derived organoids to address our hypotheses and hope to elucidate how redox modifying compounds can be used in conjunction with chemo- or immunotherapy to improve response rates. Together with computational and medicinal chemists, we are developing new classes of redox modifying drugs. My interest areas are both in basic science and well as translational research areas
Other Titles, Distinctions and Appointments
University of Vermont Distinguished Professor
I direct an NIH-funded research laboratory that is interested in lung fibrosis and lung cancer and the intersection between the two. My area of expertise is in epithelial cell and redox biology. Changes in the oxidative environment (redox) are well known to contribute to both fibrosis and lung cancer. Protein cysteines are redox sensors that transduce the signal from oxidations into biological responses, via precisely orchestrated events, like phosphorylation. We can now measure these events with nanoscale precision, design thiol-based covalent drugs to prevent key protein oxidations from occurring, or target redox pathways that control specific redox protein perturbations. As S-glutathionylation is a dominant redox based protein modification, my laboratory is examining that pathways that govern S-glutathionylation and its implications for lung cancer, chemotherapy and check point inhibitor resistance. We use genetic mouse models of lung cancer and primary tumor-derived organoids to address our hypotheses and hope to elucidate how redox modifying compounds can be used in conjunction with chemo- or immunotherapy to improve response rates. Together with computational and medicinal chemists, we are developing new classes of redox modifying drugs. My interest areas are both in basic science and well as translational research areas
Other Titles, Distinctions and Appointments
University of Vermont Distinguished Professor