Dr. Loren Walensky

Biography

Loren David Walensky is a Professor of Pediatrics whose research focuses on chemical biology, specifically on deregulated apoptotic transcriptional pathways in cancer. His laboratory aims to develop a ‘chemical toolbox’ of new compounds to investigate and block the protein interactions that cause cancer. Walensky employs a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing synthetic chemistry techniques, structural biology analyses, and various experimental models to dissect pathological signaling pathways. His extensive research into the origins of cancer has led to the identification of genetic and molecular mistakes responsible for the overproduction of specific cancer-causing proteins. One of the critical challenges in developing pharmacological tools to manipulate these intricate signaling networks is the structural complexity and intracellular localization of the target proteins. To address these issues, Walensky focuses on developing and applying chemically ‘stapled’ natural peptides that help maintain their natural shape, thereby restoring their anti-cancer activities. His work has shown that stapled peptides can effectively block cancer growth and prolong the lives of treated animals. Ongoing studies aim to apply peptide stapling techniques broadly to produce novel tools for cancer biology discovery and to dissect aberrant apoptotic transcriptional pathways in various human tumors.

Research Interests