Huawen Li, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

Conducts research seeking targets for new pharmaceutical approaches based on protein stress.

About Huawen Li, Ph.D.

The stress response is an evolutionarily, highly conserved adaptive mechanism that enhances cell survival. Genome instability is a hallmark of cancer cells. We are highly interested in the relationship between these two factors. We use mouse models to mimic lung cancer, which have obvious genome instability. We also use molecular methods to find the basis for how these pathways talk to each other. This work might give us some clue or target for new pharmaceutical approaches based on protein stress.

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Search MagazineMarch 19, 2019
Making a difference for rural cancer patients
Dr. Jens Rueter and the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative are providing advanced genomic tools to oncology practices throughout Maine.
Search MagazineMarch 06, 2019
Finding a better way to fight childhood cancers
Ching Lau is working to find effective therapies and test them against patients’ own tumors in specially made patient derived xenotype (PDX) mice.
Research HighlightFebruary 28, 2019
Fueling cancer
Cancer cells need energy. A lot of it. Their aggressive growth, not surprisingly, is therefore largely fueled by an abnormal metabolism.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Research HighlightJanuary 16, 2019
The rapid evolution of cancer cells under attack
Using PDX mouse models, JAX Associate Professor Jeff Chuang has tracked the evolution of triple negative breast cancer cells following administration of common forms of chemotherapy.

Search MagazineMarch 06, 2019
From tragedy, hope and closure
Doctors who treat rare pediatric cancers face an awful truth: many of their patients will die far too young.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Press ReleaseFebruary 28, 2019
The Jackson Laboratory signs a research agreement to identify new cancer therapeutic targets
JAX has signed a research agreement for up to $4.2 million with Sanofi to identify new targets to treat triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian carcinoma.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Research HighlightJanuary 29, 2019
Tracing a pathway to leukemia
New research led by Jennifer Trowbridge provides insight into risk factors for clonal hematopoiesis-to-leukemia progression.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Leukemia
- Aging
- Cancer
Blog PostNovember 27, 2018
Efficient and effective methods to use family history data for risk assessment
As 1 in 10 people are at increased risk for cancer, but often go undetected, knowing who these people are can lead to personalized management and better health outcomes.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer