Dr. Clem’s laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive metabolic alterations in cancer. Tumors primarily exhibit a marked increase in glucose and amino acid metabolism, promoted in large part through activation of oncogenic pathways and/or loss of tumor suppressor function. We recently have demonstrated that the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (pRb) plays a direct role in regulating cellular metabolism via changes in the activity of specific metabolic effectors. In addition, using a combination of computational modeling, biophysics, and molecular biology approaches, the Clem lab also aims to identify and develop novel small molecule antagonists of these deregulated metabolic enzymes as an anti-cancer therapeutic strategy.