Cunniff Laboratory

Welcome to the Cunniff Lab

Our research focuses on how mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic function dictate cell processes including cell migration and tumor cell metastasis. We utilize advanced microscopy approaches to visualize mitochondrial dynamics coupled with cellular biosensors and biochemical approaches to characterize metabolic features of distinct mitochondrial populations.

Additionally, we are developing novel therapies for the treatment of aggressive cancers such as malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. We utilize cell and animal models to characterize metabolic features of tumor cells that provide susceptibility to compounds targeting mitochondrial function.

News & Announcements

Congratulations! to Meara for her presentation during the Virtual Student Research Conference! Meara has been conducting her Honors College Undergraduate Research in the lab since the spring of 2018. She has received two competitive undergraduate research awards to support her research. We look forward to her completing her Thesis work in 2021!  See Meara's poster here.

The Cunniff Lab recently received funding from the Butler Family Foundation (managed by the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region) to investigate malignant mesothelioma tumor profiles that may predict sensitivity to therapies currently being developed in the Cunniff Lab, with support from RS Oncology. Malignant mesothelioma is a devastating disease that has no cure and is one of the most difficult tumors to treat. RS Oncology, in collaboration with the Cunniff Lab, is developing a therapeutic approach utilizing a novel mechanism of action that has shown promising pre-clinical activity.

"Innovative Partnership"

“Brian attended the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Barcelona, Spain with members of Paredox Therapeutics (George Naumov, COO and Jarrett Duncan, CEO) to announce a partnership with Azierta Scientific Consulting for co-development of Paredox’s novel therapeutic (PER-016) targeting mitochondrial oxidative stress signaling pathways in ovarian cancer. Pre-clinical data supporting the development of this therapeutic approach originated with work from Dr. Heintz and Cunniff and is ongoing in the Cunniff Lab.”

“This innovative partnership will allow us to expand into additional indications currently outside of our corporate strategy. This will ultimately speed up the process of reaching as many patients as possible sooner than anticipated with our exciting and potentially life-changing therapy,” stated Jarrett Duncan, CEO of Paredox. (Oct. 2019)

Dynamic regulation of subcellular mitochondrial position for localized metabolite levels.

Alshaabi H, Heininger M, Cunniff B. J Biochem. 2019 Jul 29.

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