Dr. Kevin Haigis

Biography

Kevin M. Haigis is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard University, focusing his research on diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). His laboratory employs conventional systems biology approaches to integrate studies using genetically engineered mouse models, human cell lines, and primary patient samples in the search for novel therapies. His work has highlighted that activating Ras mutations are found in 40% of colorectal cancers, with these cancers expressing mutant Ras being largely resistant to conventional chemotherapies, ionizing radiation, and targeted therapies. This has motivated his research towards developing new therapies that target Ras and its related signaling pathways. Haigis has developed mouse models that express mutationally activated forms of K-Ras and N-Ras, which are frequently mutated in human disease, to understand how these mutations influence tissue homeostasis and to provide a preclinical platform for therapeutic studies. Additionally, his lab studies the role of acetylation of Ras in modulating its activity and aims to identify new therapeutic interventions for chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Research Interests

Experience