Marcus Laboratory

ABOUT

Cancer Biology

Our Tumor Escape and Metastasis (TEAM) group is focused on the biology and therapeutic targeting of lung cancer metastasis. We develop novel image-guided genetic approaches to understand intra-tumor heterogeneity. Our work can be viewed as “clinical cell biology”, where we address questions in the clinic using translational cell biology approaches.

We are hiring for 2 positions! A post-doctoral fellow and research scientist.

Email adam.marcus@emory.edu if interested

Mechanisms and targeting of cancer cell metastasis

This work is on the tumor suppressor protein and epithelial signaling protein, LKB1. This serine/threonine kinase is mutated in 20-30% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. There are currently no targeted therapies for patients with LKB1 mutations and the functional significance of LKB1 loss in lung cancer metastasis remains obscure. This work incorporates genetically engineered mouse models, ex vivo imaging, live cell imaging, and molecular biology studies. This work is funded by the NCI.

Image guided genomics to study intra-tumor heterogeneity

We developed a new image-guided genomics approach to precisely isolate any living cell(s) of interest for functional genomic analysis, a technique we term Spatiotemporal Genomic Analysis (SAGA). We used SAGA to 1) dissect the molecular and genomic profiles of collective invasion packs to perform the first genomic analysis comparing the expression profile of invasive leader cells to follower cells 2) select, amplify, and maintain the purified leader and follower cell lines, which now gives us virtually unlimited quantities of rare invading cell types. This work is funded by the NCI. Video summary

Lab Publications | Research Videos

A unique arm of our laboratory is focused on community engaged STEM research that focuses on increasing diversity in STEM. I founded a K-12 outreach program that has visited over 35 Georgia schools, and over 3,000 students. This program brings microscopes to classrooms with the goals of increasing diversity and critical thinking using a microscope-based curriculum. This work in partnership with Theresa Gillespie, PhD, was funded through NIH R25s where we are multi-PIs of this award. s. See Georgia Science Education Initative for details

Community-engaged STEM Research

TEAM Members

Adam Marcus, PhD, Lab PI, Professor, Deputy Director Winship Cancer Institute, Associate Dean, Emory School of Medicine	Carol Tucker-Burden, Lab Manager	Janna Mouw, PhD Senior Scientist
Tala Khatib, Graduate Student	Veronika Matsuk Cancer Biology PhD Student	Angelica Amanso, PhD Associate Scientist
Raaven Goffe, MPH MD/PhD Student Cancer Biology Program	Isaac Robinson Graduate PhD Student	Ashley S. Townsel PhD Student Cancer Biology