Jackson Laboratory

The Ren Lab

Principal Investigator: Guangwen "Gary" Ren, Ph.D.

The Jackson Laboratory
Bar Harbor, ME

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To study tumor microenvironment and tumor immunology in cancer therapeutic resistance and metastatic relapse

OUR RESEARCH FOCUS

The Ren group mainly focuses on elucidating how mesenchymal lineage cells (mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts) and immune-regulatory myeloid cells (neutrophils and macrophages) modulate the adaptive immune responses in cancer treatment resistance and metastatic relapse. These studies will fully take advantage of the unique research platform--patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors in humanized mouse models at The Jackson Laboratory, with the research goal to develop novel strategies targeting tumor microenvironment to improve the efficacies of conventional cancer therapies and new therapeutics such as immunotherapy.

Full Scientific Report

The Jackson Laboratory Cancer Center

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Open Positions

Job	Job Title	Location	Description

Lab Staff

Li Hua, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

Stromal cells may provide a positive or negative role in modulating the immunotherapy.
Peishan Li, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

Dissecting the Roles of MSC and Adipocytes in Cancer Metastasis
Guangwen "Gary" Ren, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

To study tumor microenvironment and tumor immunology in cancer therapeutic resistance and metastatic relapse.

Selected Publications

Highlighted Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), also called multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, exist in almost all tissues and are a key cell source for tissue repair and regeneration. Under pathological conditions, such as tissue injury, these cells are mobilized towards the site of damage. Tissue damage is usually accompanied by proinflammatory factors, produced by both innate and adaptive immune responses, to which MSCs are known to respond. Indeed, recent studies have shown that there are bidirectional interactions between MSCs and inflammatory cells, which determine the outcome of MSC-mediated tissue repair processes. Although many details of these interactions remain to be elucidated, we provide here a synthesis of the current status of this newly emerging and rapidly advancing field.

View full list of publications

Press ReleaseDecember 18, 2019
JAX receives $2.5M from The Mark Foundation for breakthrough cancer immunotherapy project
The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) has received $2.5 million from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research to study in mice the influence of host genetics on response to immunotherapy. The goal of this project is to generate insights that will empower future decisions about the best treatments for cancer patients based on their genetic backgrounds.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Research HighlightDecember 04, 2019
Exploring the role of gene splicing in triple negative breast cancer
Splicing factors, comparable to gene editors in our DNA, could hold the key to treating the worst type of breast cancer.
Press ReleaseNovember 20, 2019
How do gliomas evolve?
The Glioma Longitudinal Analysis (GLASS) Consortium characterized diffuse glioma cells both before and after therapy to characterize how they change and why this form of malignant brain cancer is so difficult to treat. The findings provide a foundation for further research and the opportunity for the clinical community to predict the effectiveness of newly developed treatments.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Blog PostOctober 28, 2019
New US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations
The USPSTF updated this important screening recommendation in August, 2019. It now recommends screening for potentially harmful BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in women with a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer or an ancestry associated with BRCA1/2 gene mutations.

Press ReleaseDecember 05, 2019
Mighty mice head to space on important health mission
Researchers from JAX, UConn Health, and Connecticut Children’s sent genetically-engineered “Mighty Mice” to the International Space Station to learn about the effect of microgravity on muscle and bone loss.
Blog PostNovember 27, 2019
Assessing Patient Health Risks with Limited or Unknown Family History
Strategies for assessing health risks in patients with limited or unknown family health history.
eNewsOctober 30, 2019
Leveraging our immune systems for good
Professor Jacques Banchereau, Ph.D., discusses breakthroughs in the study of the human autoimmune system, cancer and vaccines.
- Immunology
- Cancer
Featured ArticleOctober 28, 2019
Cancer researchers embrace AI to accelerate development of precision medicine
Using Microsoft AI, The Jackson Laboratory is empowering researchers and medical professionals with a powerful digital encyclopedia that has the potential to change the way we study and treat cancer.