Taniguchi Laboratory
Cullen Taniguchi, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Areas of Research
- Radiation Therapy Research
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research
- Pancreatic Cancer Research
- Anal Cancer Research
- Microbiome Research
- Stem Cell Biology Research
Welcome to the Taniguchi Lab at MD Anderson Cancer Center! Our lab conducts translational research in the field of gastrointestinal cancers, specifically pancreatic and anal cancer. Our research focuses on discovering innovative ways to guide therapeutic approaches to help make cancer history.
Our Areas of Research
Hypoxia Biology
The mechanisms of how hypoxia stimulates healing in tissues is complex, but it drastically alters the growth and metabolism of cells to heal and to simultaneously depend less on oxygen. At the Taniguchi lab, we seek to exploit these techniques to reduce toxicity from cancer treatments.
PHD inhibition mitigates and protects against radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity via HIF2
Mitochondrial Dynamics and Metabolism
Mitochondria are often thought of as static structures, but these incredible organelles can collectively alter their structures to optimize their metabolic functions in response to cellular insults. Specifically, we focus on harnessing the dynamic interplay between mitochondrial fission and fusion in attempt to create an advanced, alternative approach for treating pancreatic cancer. Our lab is keenly interested in understanding the role of macrometabolic and micronutrient homeostasis in regulating the tumor microenvironment.
Mitochondrial fusion suppresses pancreatic cancer growth via reduced oxidative metabolism
Fasting reduces intestinal radiotoxicity enabling dose-escalated radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Radioprotection
Radiation therapy is an integral part in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, but remains difficult to use at the doses required due to the location of the pancreas near the intestines, which are highly susceptible to damage caused by that radiation. Our lab studies various methods of radioprotection, including EGLN inhibitors and fasting.
Fasting reduces intestinal radiotoxicity enabling dose-escalated radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Microbiome
The link between microbiome and cancer is one of the most diverse and understudied topics in GI oncology, yet is very important and promising. Our lab seeks to understand the correlation between the microbiome and various GI cancers (such as pancreatic cancer and anal cancer) to help guide future therapies and cures.
About Cullen Taniguchi, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Taniguchi is an assistant professor in the radiation oncology department at MD Anderson Cancer Center, specializing in pancreatic, rectal, and anal cancers. His translational laboratory studies how to protect normal tissues from chemotherapy and radiation damage. The basic studies in his lab focus on hypoxia (low oxygen) biology and how it alters the response of normal tissues and the tumor microenvironment to chemotherapy and radiation. Among his research interests is the role of EGLN inhibitors in radioprotection, the interplay of mitochondrial dynamics and their effect on pancreatic cancer, as well as the role of the microbiome in the pancreatic and anal cancer.
Dr. Taniguchi received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School where he also received his Ph.D. in cell and developmental biology. He completed his clinical residency at Stanford University. Dr. Taniguchi has received multiple awards and honors, most notably the Sabin Family Fellowship and has been named a McNair, CPRIT, and Rhodes Scholar.
In his free time, Dr. Taniguchi enjoys collecting wine, experimenting with gastronomy, watching baseball, and gaining Twitter followers.
Meet the Team
From left to right: Marimar De La Cruz Bonilla, Yanqing Huang, Jessica Molkentine, Daniel Lin, Cullen Taniguchi, Suman Govindaraju, Tara Fujimoto, Meifang Yu, Amit Deorukhkar. Click photo to enlarge.
Life in the Taniguchi Lab
Selected Publications
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JCI Insight, 2019
Mitochondrial fusion exploits a therapeutic vulnerability of pancreatic cancer
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Cancer Research, 2019
Selective EGLN Inhibition Enables Ablative Radiotherapy and Improves Survival in Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer
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Scientific Reports, 2019
Enteral Activation of WR-2721 Mediates Radioprotection and Improved Survival from Lethal Fractionated Radiation
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Cell, 2015
It's a SMAD/SMAD World
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Science Translational Medicine, 2014
PHD inhibition mitigates and protects against radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity via HIF2
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Nature Medicine, 2013
Cross-talk between hypoxia and insulin signaling through Phd3 regulates hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism and ameliorates diabetes
Join the Taniguchi lab
Postdoctoral Fellow - Radioprotection
The Taniguchi Lab is interested in recruiting highly-motivated postdoctoral fellows for a NIH/NCI-funded project that seeks to protect the intestine from radiation injury. This science has implications for oncology treatments (pancreatic and liver cancers) and nuclear countermeasures (medical response to a terrorist attack or nuclear accident). The successful candidate will have significant experience in intestinal stem cell biology or radiation biology/physics. Experience with molecular biology, histology and tissue preparation, cell biology, and mouse modeling are very helpful but not required.
What we offer:
● Training and expertise in radiation biology, intestinal stem cell biology and pancreatic cancer.
● A stimulating environment with freedom to develop new research directions.
● Supportive mentorship for multi-faceted career development and opportunities tailored towards individual career goals.
● A fun, hard-working and supportive lab that practices team-based science
● The chance to live in Houston, a dynamic and diverse metropolis with tons of culture, a vibrant food scene, and championship sports teams!
What we’re looking for:
● Ideally someone who is less than one year out from completing their PhD, though we will consider candidates with all levels of experience.
● An enthusiastic and ambitious individual with a strong interest in our research and laboratory environment.
● Fearlessness in learning new techniques and designing projects independently.
● Strong verbal and written communication skills.
● Willingness to apply for applicable postdoctoral fellowships and eagerness to take advantage of other career development opportunities.
● Interest in working with junior lab members and summer undergraduates.
Start date: Immediately or upon mutual agreement.
How to apply: (important to follow directions)
· Cover letter outlining relevant expertise and scientific interests pertinent to our lab and your future projects. This letter will be a way to assess your thought process and writing skills.
· Updated CV/Biosketch
· Contact information for three references
Please email these three items to: ctaniguchi@mdanderson.org
Postdoctoral Fellow - Mitochondrial Dynamics
The Taniguchi Lab is interested in recruiting highly-motivated postdoctoral fellows for a funded project that will investigate how to exploit mitochondrial dynamics for therapy against pancreatic cancer. This project uses a combination of microscopy, metabolomics, cell biology, and mouse models and the successful candidate should have some experience in several of these core skill sets. Competency with SeaHorse is helpful, but not expected.
What we offer:
● Training and expertise in metabolism and mitochondrial biology.
● A stimulating environment with freedom to develop new research directions.
● Working on high-impact science that can be directly translated to patients within 1-3 years.
● Supportive mentorship for multi-faceted career development and opportunities tailored towards individual career goals.
● A fun, hard-working and supportive lab that practices team-based science.
● The chance to live in Houston, a dynamic and diverse metropolis with tons of culture, a vibrant food scene, and championship sports teams!
What we’re looking for:
● Ideally someone who is less than one year out from completing their PhD, though we will consider candidates with all levels of experience.
● An enthusiastic and ambitious individual with a strong interest in our research and laboratory environment.
● Fearlessness in learning new techniques and designing projects independently.
● Strong verbal and written communication skills.
● Willingness to apply for applicable postdoctoral fellowships and eagerness to take advantage of other career development opportunities.
● Interest in working with junior lab members and summer undergraduates.
Start date: Immediately or upon mutual agreement.
How to apply: (important to follow directions)
· Cover letter outlining relevant expertise and scientific interests pertinent to our lab and your future projects. This letter will be a way to assess your thought process and writing skills.
· Updated CV/Biosketch
· Contact information for three references
Please email these three items to: ctaniguchi@mdanderson.org
Graduate Student
The Taniguchi Lab is always interested in recruiting highly-motivated graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are passionate about hypoxia biology or metabolism. You will be in a unique position to interact with the clinic as Dr. Taniguchi is a board-certified radiation oncologist who runs clinical trials. Dr. Taniguchi is part of the Cancer Biology program within MD AndersonCancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Students interested in rotations are encouraged to email Cullen Taniguchi, MD PhD (ctaniguchi@mdanderson.org), to discuss current projects in the laboratory.A rotation in our laboratory will help a student learn at least three things:
1. To define if our laboratory is a good match for you (do you think you want to hang out with us?)
2. To understand what projects are available (does the science excite you?)
3. To learn basic molecular biology techniques (at the very least learn something you can take with you for the rest of your career.)