# Identifying and exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer using mass spectrometry and tracing approaches

> **NIH NIH R50** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $168,344

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Metabolic rewiring is essential for cancer cell survival and metabolic dysfunction re-emerged as a hallmark for
cancer. However, our current knowledge of metabolic pathways and the regulation in cancer is still limited.
Striking improvements in mass spectrometry and metabolic flux analysis has greatly improved our ability to
quantify metabolism leading to novel treatment strategies. With this NCI Research Specialist Award, we aim to
establish a protected position for Thekla Cordes for 5 years to support research for Prof. Christian Metallo at the
University of California, San Diego. Thekla Cordes is an expert in dissecting cancer metabolism by applying
metabolic systems biology approaches and will be key personnel to complete current and future research goals
of NCI-funded research projects. Her research aims to identify and exploit metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer and
will mainly support the R01CA234245 grant “Non-essential amino acids and sphingolipid diversity in cancer
progression”. Specifically, she will 1) develop and apply mass spectrometry-based analytical approaches to
quantify metabolite levels and metabolic fluxes in diverse cancer settings. She will focus on 13C, 15N, and 2H
tracing approaches to trace central carbon, lipid, and redox metabolism. She will then 2) establish anchorage-
independent cell culture models to better mimic the tumor environment. Further, she will engineer cell lines with
genetically altered metabolic pathways focusing on amino acid (i.e. serine and alanine) and sphingolipid
metabolism (i.e. serine palmitoyl transaminase (SPT). Finally, she will 3) combine tracer and culture approaches
to gain insights into biochemical and mechanistic understanding of metabolic reprograming in cancer. We expect
that Thekla Cordes’ expertise in metabolic flux approaches and pathway study will provide critical new insights
into cancer metabolism and will nucleate new exciting research directions impacting the broad field of cancer
biology. Ultimately, her support, scientific expertise, and results are expected to substantially advance the
development of new and improved therapeutic strategies to combat cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10324039
- **Project number:** 1R50CA252146-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Thekla Cordes
- **Activity code:** R50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $168,344
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-21 → 2022-02-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10324039

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10324039, Identifying and exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer using mass spectrometry and tracing approaches (1R50CA252146-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-19 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10324039. Licensed CC0.

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