For the latest COVID-19 campus news and resources, visit umassmed.edu/coronavirus.

Search Close Search
Page Menu

Shaw Lab Research

The Shaw lab is interested in understanding how growth factor receptor signaling pathways drive breast cancer progression.  We study how receptor regulation and function are altered in tumor cells to overcome normal controls and checkpoints to facilitate metastasis.  We have had a longstanding interest in the insulin (IR) and IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1R) and their mechanisms of action.  IR/IGF-1R signaling is associated with poor outcomes in breast cancer, in particular in the context of obesity and other hyperinsulinemic conditions when the activity of these receptors is upregulated.  Ongoing projects in the lab focus on understanding differential signaling of the IR and IGF-1R and the unique roles of the Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS) adaptor proteins which link the IR/IGF-1R to intracellular signals and determine functional cellular outcomes.  We are also studying how Beclin 1 regulates endosomal trafficking to control the expression and signaling of the IR/IGF-1R and other growth regulatory receptors.  The goal of our work is to elaborate novel approaches for improved therapy and breast cancer outcomes.

Shaw Lab News

April 2022

Welcome Minjeong Jo to the Shaw Lab as a new Research Associate!

September 2021

Welcome MD/PhD GS1 student Claire Tocheny to the Shaw Lab.

June 2021

Welcome summer student Caroline Moore to the Shaw Lab.

May 2021

Shaw lab publishes review in J. Mol. Endocrinology: “Diversity of insulin and IGF signaling in breast cancer: Implications for therapy

April 2021

Congratulations to James on his acceptance into the University of Colorado, Boulder Biochemistry PhD program!

March 2021

Congratulations to Michael for passing his Qualifying Exam!

January 2021

Congratulations to Maira on her acceptance into the Brandeis University MCB PhD program!

See More...