Jason Locasale

PhD - Scientist

Jason Locasale, PhD, maintains a prominent position in the cancer metabolism research sphere and has made discoveries in the areas of metabolomics, nutrition, and epigenetics. Working within the Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology as associate professor, Dr. Jason Locasale has developed novel computational and technology approaches that enable an in-depth understanding of diet and metabolic therapeutics, and their role in cancer and general health.

Lab experiments conducted by Dr. Locasale have indicated that a natural anti-fungal compound may have promise in fighting cancer. This finding was arrived at through studying the metabolic changes cancer cells go through compared with normal cells, which are able to break down oxygen through use of oxygen. He found that cancer cells that use a fermentation process that required more sugar could be controlled in a specific way that depends on this metabolic state. He identified a molecule, koningic acid, that interferes with the glucose processing techniques cancer cells employ.

Dr. Locasale’s leadership responsibilities have included overseeing a lab that receives National Institutes of Health grants as a major funding source. With more than 175 publications to his name, Dr. Jason Locasale has served on various editorial boards, including that of the peer reviewed open-access journal PLOS Biology.

Durham, NC, US