The Chang Lab
The Chang Lab delves into the intricate realm of immune cell metabolism and its profound impact on diseases like cancer and lupus, forging effective treatments through in-depth molecular understanding.
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The Chang Lab leverages the intersecting fields of immunology and metabolism to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control immune cell behaviors, which shape disease development, with primary focus on lupus and cancer, along with other autoimmune and aging diseases. Using diverse mouse models of cancer and autoimmunity, we employ cutting edge technologies and analytical techniques such as spatial metabolite, protein, and transcriptomic analyses, single-cell RNA sequencing, seahorse metabolic flux analyses, and diverse immunometabolic therapies. These analyses allow for us to explore the relationships between immune cell fate, populations, metabolism, cellular function, and disease progression to develop more effective therapeutics for human diseases. Specifically, we investigate the metabolic regulation of B and T cells, including the effects of inhibiting glycolysis on disease progression, and explore T-cell reprogramming within the tumor microenvironment, asking:
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How does the biology of cancer cells shape the tumor microenvironment to suppress the function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells?
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How can we enhance the efficacy of current immunotherapeutic strategies in the rejuvenation of anti-tumor function of T cells in cancer?
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How does blocking glycolysis impact the functional properties of B and T cells that contribute to the pathogenesis of lupus?
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Can targeting glycolysis in B and T cells effectively attenuate disease activity and improve disease outcomes?
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How can we leverage the metabolic interplay between immune cells and diseased tissues to develop novel therapeutic strategies for lupus and cancer treatment?
By operating at the intersection of immunology, metabolism, microbiology, oncology, pharmacology, and bioinformatics, our research seeks to uncover a holistic and mechanistic understanding of the metabolic interplay between immune cells and afflicted tissues. Ultimately, we strive to provide novel strategies for vaccines, drug development, disease prognosis, and immunotherapy by illuminating the intricate metabolic mechanisms that drive cellular fate.
Chang Lab Alumni
High school/Undergraduate/Graduate student
2023 Chloe Ledford
Current position: undergraduate in Biology, Belmont University
2022 Olajuyin Ebenezer
Current position: PhD student in GSBSE, University of Maine
2022 Anthony Mendoza
Current position: undergraduate in Letters and Science, University of California Berkeley
2022 Maggi Smart
Current position: Natural Sciences graduate, University of Massachusetts Amherst
2021-2022 Natalie Logan
Current position: Undergraduate in Bioengineering, Stanford University
2021 Thi-Tina Nguyen
Current position: PhD candidate in Integrated Physiology, University of Colorado Anschutz
2018-2020 Jack Sears
Current position: PhD candidate in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, UNC at Chapel Hill
2019-2020 Kevin Waldron
Current position: Communications-writing graduate, Clark Summit University
2019 Amey Maley
Current position: AmeriCorps Health Advocate, Legacy Community Health
2019 Vivin Karthik
Current position: Principal Research Associate, TScan Therapeutics
2018 – 2019 Max Reznik
Current position: undergraduate in Biology, United States Air Force Academy
Postdoctoral
2019-2023 Dr. Qing Li (Faculty Liaison: Dr. Lucas Chang, Mentor: Dr. Gary Ren)
Current position: Associate Professor, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, China
2018-2022 Dr. Jian Wei
Current position: Assistant Professor, Shandong University, China
2017-2020 Dr. Peishan Li (Faculty Liaison: Dr. Lucas Chang, Mentor: Dr. Gary Ren)
Current position: Associate Professor, Shandong University, China
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Media ReleaseOctober 29, 2024JAX researchers unveil method to map immune cell connections, predicting patient survival in cancer
Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory have developed a new combination of imaging and computational methods to study connections between immune cells in breast cancer and melanoma -
ArticleOctober 08, 2024Cancer research trainees advance their skills at JAX with support from the American Cancer Society
Earlier this year, The Jackson Laboratory’s NCI-designated Basic Research Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society (ACS) teamed up to have ACS-funded trainees attend advanced cancer courses at JAX, aiming to deepen their understanding of cutting-edge cancer research techniques through experiential learning. -
Media ReleaseJuly 24, 2024New analysis - targeted Alzheimer’s research and drug discovery
Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory offer the first comprehensive ranking of the relative role and significance of every known gene and protein in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease in advance of the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, July 28 -
Research HighlightJuly 10, 2024Charles Lee continues to sequence repetitive areas of the genome
Charles Lee co-leads the Human Genome Structural Variation Consortium and is uncovering structural variations in the human genome.
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Media ReleaseOctober 09, 2024Study probes how eating less can extend lifespan
Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory conduct pivotal study into aging and lifespan to uncover new details about how diets might make people live longer — but also their negative side effects -
ArticleJuly 29, 2024MODEL-AD drives progress for Alzheimer’s research
The July issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia spotlights progress by MODEL-AD and its work to create better models for Alzheimer’s disease research and catalyze progress in the field. -
ArticleJuly 24, 2024Researchers are closing in on a mouse model for late-onset Alzheimer’s research
Mice don’t get Alzheimer’s—and while that’s good news for mice, it’s a big problem for biomedical researchers seeking to understand the disease and test new treatments. Now, researchers at The Jackson Laboratory are working to create the first strain of mice that’s genetically susceptible to late-onset Alzheimer’s, with potentially transformative implications for dementia research. -
Featured ArticleJuly 09, 2024Bringing critical perspectives to genomic medicine research
Leading with compassion, Elizabeth Charnysh represents a team of genetic counselors established seven years ago as part of a comprehensive strategy to study the impact of genomic medicine research on human health.