The Bouchard Lab at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Opens to Tackle Radioresistance in the Treatment of Cancer
- Marie Michèle Marcoux
- Mar 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 4
We are excited to announce the opening of the Bouchard Lab, officially commencing operations on January 1, 2025! Our state-of-the-art research facility is dedicated to advancing the fields of radiobiology, tumor microenvironment, and metabolism, with the goal of making significant progress in the fight against cancer, particularly for patients receiving radiotherapy.
With over half of cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment, understanding why some patients do not respond is essential. Metabolic radioresistance poses a major challenge, and the Bouchard Lab is committed to addressing this critical issue through innovative research and collaboration with the broader scientific community.
Our Mission
The Bouchard Lab aims to improve patient outcomes by investigating metabolic pathways and spatial features linked to radioresistance in tumors. By unraveling these complexities, we strive to identify new treatment strategies that enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy.
Our research will focus on how various metabolic states of tumors impact their response to radiation. For instance, tumors with high O-glycosylation levels often exhibit greater resistance, highlighting the need for tailored therapeutic approaches. By combining radiation with metabolic agents that target these pathways, we aim to improve treatment efficacy and ultimately enhance patients' quality of life.
Research Focus Areas
Our primary research areas will include:
Our primary research areas include:
Radiobiology: Analyzing how radiation affects cells at biological and molecular levels. We will investigate the differing responses of aggressive tumors, such as lung adenocarcinomas, compared to less aggressive ones to identify why certain treatments succeed or fail.
Tumor Microenvironment: Examining how surrounding tissues, fibroblasts, blood vessels, and immune cells impact treatment outcomes using a spatial biology approach.
Metabolism: Investigating how reprogrammed metabolism in cancer cells contributes to resistance against radiation. We will study specific metabolic pathways, such as the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway and its resulting O-glycoproteome to identify new therapeutic targets.
By concentrating on these critical areas, the Bouchard Lab aims to provide valuable insights that could lead to groundbreaking improvements in cancer therapy.
Stay tuned for updates on our progress and research efforts. Together, we can increase our understanding of these vital factors in cancer treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for patients everywhere.
