Peter Karl Sorger is the Otto Krayer Professor at Harvard Medical School, specializing in Systems Pharmacology. His research lab employs a combination of computational and experimental approaches to study the mechanisms that determine cell fate, particularly in the context of mammalian cells and apoptosis. Sorger's group investigates the roles of extracellular ligands such as TRAIL, Fas, and TNF, alongside opposing pro-survival signals generated by insulin and epidermal growth factor receptors. They utilize single-cell intravital imaging and high-throughput biochemical techniques to collect data relevant to constructing mathematical models of mammalian signal transduction. These models help in understanding the mechanisms by which oncogenic mutations can disrupt traditional pathways of cell survival and death, providing insights into drug sensitivity and resistance within tumor cell lines. His lab is also focused on the links between chromosome instability and cancer progression, studying the implications of mitotic checkpoint signaling disruptions. Trained in cell biology, mouse genetics, and chemical physics, Sorger's interdisciplinary team often engages in groundbreaking research and maintains collaborative relationships with institutions like MIT and various European laboratories.
Harvard Medical School • Boston, MA
Leading research in Systems Pharmacology and exploring the biochemical mechanisms of cell death and survival.