The Maitra Lab
Dr. Radhashree Maitra’s research program focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive colorectal cancer and identifying new strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance. Her work centers on KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer, with research spanning targeted therapies, PRMT5 and epigenetic regulation, oncogenic signaling, cellular stress responses, MYC-driven resistance, and tumor–immune interactions. Her laboratory integrates wet-lab experimentation, computational and molecular modeling, and translational research, allowing discoveries made at the molecular and cellular level to inform potential therapeutic strategies.
A central component of Dr. Maitra’s research is the development and evaluation of therapies for KRAS-driven colorectal cancer. Her work has investigated PRMT5 as a surrogate therapeutic target for KRAS, oncolytic reovirus therapy, immune checkpoint combinations, and emerging RAS-targeted treatment strategies. Her research has also contributed to clinical investigation of pelareorep (oncolytic reovirus) in patients with KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer, connecting laboratory studies of tumor biology and treatment response with clinical trials.
The laboratory's research extends from the bench to the computer. Alongside experimental studies using colorectal cancer cell models, including isogenic KRAS-mutant and KRAS-wild-type systems, students have led projects examining signaling pathways, therapeutic resistance, gene expression, and cellular responses to treatment. Computational projects use molecular dynamics simulations, including GROMACS, structural modeling, and bioinformatics, to investigate protein interactions and identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. Recent student-led work, for example, has used GROMACS alongside experimental validation to investigate molecular pathways connecting KRAS and PRMT5.
Through this combination of student-driven discovery, wet-lab cancer biology, dry-lab computational research, and clinically informed investigation, the Maitra laboratory seeks to better understand treatment-resistant colorectal cancer and translate those discoveries into more effective and personalized therapeutic approaches. Recent student research continues to explore PRMT5 inhibition, autophagy, KRAS signaling, and mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, providing undergraduate and graduate researchers with opportunities to contribute directly to ongoing cancer research.
Featured Research Areas
Featured Abstracts
