Dr. Kathryn Wellen

Biography

Kathryn E. Wellen, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Cancer Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Her research primarily focuses on cellular metabolism and its regulation of signal transduction and gene expression, particularly in the context of cancer and metabolic disease. Wellen's lab investigates how cancer cells alter nutrient uptake and metabolism to support growth and proliferation, with emphasis on understanding how cells sense nutrient availability and integrate this information via signaling and transcriptional networks. Current studies address the roles of nutrient-sensitive protein modifications, especially acetylation, in regulating gene expression in various cancer contexts. Wellen has published extensively on the connections between metabolism and epigenetics, elucidating mechanisms such as the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and its impact on tumor growth. Her work has significant implications for understanding metabolic adaptations in cancer cells and reveals potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Research Interests

Experience