Brendan D. Manning

Member: Cancer Cell Biology Program, Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center

Member: Renal Cancer Program, Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center

Until recently, biochemical links between cellular pathways involved in the development of tumor syndromes and cancer and those underlying metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, were not known to exist. Research in the Manning laboratory is aimed at characterizing signaling pathways lying at the interface of these two classes of complex diseases.

Our goal is to understand the role of oncogenes and tumor suppressors in coordinating cellular signaling events propagated by growth factors, the availability of energy and nutrients, and exposure to environmental stresses. The ability to properly perceive and integrate these signals at both the cellular and organismal levels is essential for the prevention of tumorigenesis and the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. To elucidate the detailed mechanisms of pathways underlying these processes, the laboratory uses a multi-tiered approach involving biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, and animal models.

Our research aims are based on the premise that delineating the complex molecular wiring of signaling pathways within cells will provide insight into how best to directly stimulate or inhibit these pathways, as appropriate, for the treatment of human diseases.

Ph.D., 2000, Yale University

Photo: Kent Dayton/HSPH

Former colleagues, faculty, students, staff and family members of the late Armen H. Tashjian, Jr., professor of toxicology, emeritus, and former chair of what is now the School’s Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, gathered March 1, 2011 at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) to honor his memory and many accomplishments.

To honor his legacy, family and friends established the Armen H. Tashjian Jr. Award for Excellence in Endocrine Research to assist young faculty and fellows at HSPH to pursue innovative research ideas in basic biomedical sciences. The inaugural award was presented to Brendan D. Manning, associate professor of genetics and complex diseases at HSPH.

To learn more, visit:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/features/brendan-manning-armen-tashjian-endocrine-research.html