Gerta Hoxhaj, Ph.D.

Research

In the Hoxhaj lab, our work in cell metabolism has expanded our understanding of the biological function and regulation of NADPH cofactors, which are key molecules that protect cells from oxidative stress and are required for cell growth. I developed new approaches that allow the study of NADPH cofactors in various cellular organelles and will explore the role of compartmentalized NADPH pools in preventing oxidative damage and promoting cell survival. Metastatic cancer cells often experience high levels of oxidative stress yet manage to survive. These novel studies will provide insight into the role of NADPH in cancer cell spread and can direct researchers toward the development of new cancer therapies.