Kay-Uwe Wagner (gq0641)
University information
Contact information
Cancer Biology Program
4100 John R, Mail Code EL01TM
Detroit, MI 48201
Oncology
- genetic events that govern the initiation and progression of cancer
- genetically engineered mouse models for breast and pancreatic cancer
- peptide hormone and inflammatory cytokine signaling
Numerous genes have been identified that are crucial for normal development and cancer. Their role is being studied in our research group through their deregulated expression in transgenic animals and through their deletion from the mouse genome by homologous recombination. Specifically, our laboratory has the expertise to overexpress genes in a temporally and spatially controlled manner using the Tet system and to delete genes in a tissue-specific and temporally controlled fashion using the Cre/loxP recombination system. Current projects include the analysis of cytokine signaling through the JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT pathways as well as the role of c-Myc and oncogenic Kras in the initiation and maintenance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Shrestha, H.; P.D. Rädler; R. Dennaoui; M.N. Wicker; N. Rajbhandari; Y. Sun; A.R. Peck; K. Vistisen; A.A. Triplett; R. Beydoun; E. Sterneck; D. Saur; H. Rui and K.-U. Wagner (2024): The Janus kinase 1 is critical for pancreatic cancer initiation and progression. Cell Reports 43 (5): 114202
Wicker, M.N.and K.-U. Wagner (2023): Cellular plasticity in mammary gland development and breast cancer. Cancers 15 (23): 5605
Rädler, P.D.; K. Vistisen; A.A. Triplett; R. Dennaoui; Y. Li; H. Shrestha; R.-M. Ferraiuolo; A. Thangasamy; D. Saur and K.-U. Wagner (2021): Dual recombinase action in the normal and neoplastic mammary gland epithelium. Sci. Rep. 11 (1): 20775
Dennaoui, R.; H. Shrestha and K.-U. Wagner (2021): Models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer and Metastasis Reviews 40 (3): 803-818
Sun, Y.; N. Yang; F.E. Utama; S.S. Udhane; J. Zhang; A.P. Peck; A. Yanac; K. Duffey; J.F. Langenheim; V. Udhane; G. Xia; J.F. Peterson; J.M. Jorns; M.T. Nevalainen; R. Rouet; P. Schofield; D. Christ; C.J. Ormandy; A.L. Rosenberg; I. Chervoneva; S.-W. Tsaih; M.J. Flister; S.Y. Fuchs; K.-U. Wagner and H. Rui (2021): NSG-Pro mouse model for uncovering resistance mechanisms and unique vulnerabilities in human luminal breast cancers. Science Advances 7 (38): e8145
Rädler, P.D.; B.L. Wehde; A.A. Triplett; H. Shrestha; J. Shepherd; A.D. Pfefferle; H. Rui; R.D. Cardiff; C.M. Perou and K.-U. Wagner (2021): Highly metastatic claudin-low mammary cancers can originate from luminal epithelial cells. Nature Communications 12: 3742
Sakamoto, K.; P.D. Rädler; B.L. Wehde; A.A. Triplett; H. Shrestha; R.-M. Ferraiuolo; F. Amari; V. Coppola; A. Klinakis; Argiris Efstratiadis and K.-U. Wagner. Efficient tissue-type specific expression of target genes in a tetracycline-controlled manner from the ubiquitously active Eef1a1 locus. Sci. Rep. 2020;10:e207.
Wehde, B.L.; P.D. Rädler; H. Shrestha; S.J. Johnson; A.A. Triplett and K.-U. Wagner. Janus kinase 1 plays a critical role in mammary cancer progression. Cell Rep. 2018;25:2192–207.
Rajbhandari, N.; W.C. Lin; B.L. Wehde, A.A. Triplett and K.U. Wagner. Autocrine IGF1 signaling mediates pancreatic tumor cell dormancy in the absence of oncogenic drivers. Cell Rep. 2017;18:2243-55.
Sakamoto, K.; B.L. Wehde; K.H. Yoo; T. Kim; N. Rajbhandari; H.Y. Shin; A.A. Triplett; P.D. Rädler; F. Schuler; A. Villunger; K. Kang; L. Hennighausen and K.-U. Wagner (2016): Janus kinase 1 is essential for inflammatory cytokine signaling and mammary gland remodeling. Mol. Cell. Biol. 36 (11): 1673-1690
Witkiewicz, A.K.; E.A. McMillan; U. Balaji; G. Baek; W.-C. Lin; J. Mansour; M. Mollaee. K.-U. Wagner, P. Koduru; A. Yopp; M.A. Choti; C.J. Yeo; P. McCue; M.A. White and E.S. Knudsen. Whole-exome sequencing of pancreatic cancer defines genetic diversity and therapeutic targets. Nature Communications 2015;6:6744.
Lin W.C..; N. Rajbhandari and K.-U. Wagner (2014): Cancer cell dormancy in novel mouse models for reversible pancreatic cancer: a lingering challenge in the development of targeted therapies. Cancer Research 74 (8): 2138-2143
Lin, W.C.; N. Rajbhandari; C. Liu; K. Sakamoto; Q. Zhang; A.A. Triplett; S.K. Batra; R. Opavsky; D.W. Felsher; D.J. DiMaio; M.A. Hollingsworth; J.P. Morris 4th; M. Hebrok; A.K. Witkiewicz; J.R. Brody; H.Rui and K.-U. Wagner (2013): Dormant cancer cells contribute to residual disease in a mouse model for reversible pancreatic cancer. Cancer Research 73 (6): 1821-1830
Wagner, K.-U.; C. A. Boulanger; M. D. Henry; M. Sgagias, L. Hennighausen, and G. H. Smith (2002): An adjunct mammary epithelial cell population in parous females: its role in functional adaptation and tissue renewal. Development 129 (6): 1377-1386
Xu X., K.-U. Wagner, D. Larson, Z. Weaver, C. Li, T. Ried, L. Hennighausen, A. Wynshaw-Boris, and C.-X. Deng (1999): Conditional knockout of Brca1 in mammary epithelial cells results in blunted ductal morphogenesis and tumor formation. Nature Genetics 22 (1): 37-43
Wagner, K.-U.; R.J. Wall; L. St-Onge; P. Gruss; A. Wynshaw-Boris; M. Li; P.A. Furth and L. Hennighausen (1997): Cre mediated gene deletion in the mammary gland. Nucleic Acids Res. 25 (21): 4323-4330
B.Sc. 1990 University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
M.Sc. 1991 University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Ph.D. 1995 University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
Postdoc 1995-2000 National Institute of Health
1995 Martin-Luther-Medal from the University of Halle/Wittenberg in recognition of an exceptional Ph.D. defense (summa cum laude)
1995 Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Preis, University of Halle-Wittenberg (Sponsor: Deutsche Bank)
2006 UNMC Distinguished Scientist Award
2007 UNeMed Innovator Award
2008 UNeMed Innovator Award
2012 UNMC Outstanding Mentor of Graduate Students Award
2014 UNMC Research Leadership Award
2018 Lloyd and Marilyn Smith Endowed Professor for Breast Cancer Research, KCI
2019 Dr. Gloria Heppner Innovative Science Award, KCI
2022 Drs. Antony and Joyce D. Kales Endowed Faculty Award for Innovative Cancer Research, KCI
2022 Wayne State University School of Medicine’s College Teaching Award
2019-present CB7220 Molecular Biology of Cancer Development Cr. 3, gene editing
2018-present IBS7015, Interdisciplinary Cell and Molecular Biology Cr. 6, Cancer Cells
Oncology
Professor
Basic Science
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Elliman Building, RM 1122
421 E Canfield
Detroit, MI 48201
Karmanos Cancer Institute
4100 John R., EL01TM
Detroit, MI 48201
313-578-4334
Dr. Wagner is a Professor in the Department of Oncology at Wayne State University and the Lloyd and Marilyn Smith Endowed Chair for Breast Cancer Research. He leads the Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Program at the NCI-designated Comprehensive Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, MI. Dr. Wagner is internationally recognized for his research in mammary gland biology, breast and pancreatic cancer, and the generation of unique genetically engineered models. Dr. Wagner received his Ph.D. degree in Animal Genetics from the University of Halle-Wittenberg in Germany in 1995 and completed his postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, from 1995 to 2000. He received several honors and awards, including the 2022 Drs. Anthony and Joyce Danielski Kales Endowed Faculty Award for Innovative Cancer Researcher for his role as the principal investigator of a multi-institutional research team that identified the cellular origin of a specific triple-negative breast cancer subtype called claudin-low. He has authored over 148 publications with total citations of over 15,000 according to Google Scholar.
(1995) Ph.D., Animal Genetics, University of Halle-Wittenberg, umma cum laude, Halle, Germany
(1991) Diploma, Animal Sciences, University of Leipzig, magna cum laude, Leipzig, Germany
(1986-1991) B.Sc. program in Agricultural Sciences, University of Leipzig, Department of Agriculture, Leipzig, Germany
Postgraduate Training
(1995-2000) Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes; Digestive, and Kidney Diseases; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Metabolism; Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology in Bethesda, MD
(1997) Postdoctoral fellowship, German Research Society (DFG) This is a competitive fellowship given only to selected applicants for a period of 3 years (grant Wa 1119/1-1). Bethesda, MD
(1996) NIH supplemental fellowship, National Institutes of Health, Given to individuals for excellent research progress
Bethesda, MD
(1996) Visiting fellowship, National Institutes of Health, Grant 369VFDK013712. Bethesda, MD
(1995) Postdoctoral fellowship, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) This is a competitive, 1 –year fellowship, which was given to selected applicants from East Germany for training at an Institution in the US.
Faculty Appointments
(2018-Present) Professor, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(2010-2018) Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
(2006-2010) Associate Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
(2004-2006) Associate Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
(2000-2004) Assistant Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Hospital or Other Professional Appointments
(2018-Present) Program Leader, Tumor Biology and Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(2009-2017) Co-Program Leader, Molecular and Biochemical Etiology Program (MBEP), NCI-designated UNMC-F&P Buffet Cancer Center
(2008-Present) American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
(2022) Wayne State University School of Medicine’s College Teaching Award
(2022) Drs. Antony and Joyce D. Kales Endowed Faculty Award for Innovative Cancer Research, KCI
(2019) Dr. Gloria Heppner Innovative Science Award, KCI
(2018) Lloyd and Marilyn Smith Endowed Professor for Breast Cancer Research, KCI
(2014) UNMC Research Leadership Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of exceptional research service, given to 5 faculty members from all of UNMC that year
(2012) UNMC Outstanding Mentor of Graduate Students Award
University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of outstanding mentorship of graduate students
(2008) UNeMed Innovator Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of the development of licensed technologies, JAK2 knockout mouse model
(2007) UNeMed Innovator Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of the development of licensed technologies, TSG101 knockout mouse model
(2006) UNMC Distinguished Scientist Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center, In recognition of outstanding research service, given to 4 faculty members from the Eppley Institute
(1997) Postdoctoral fellowship, German Research Society (DFG)
This is a competitive fellowship given only to selected applicants for a period of 3 years (grant Wa 1119/1-1).
(1996) NIH supplemental fellowship, National Institutes of Health
Given to individuals for excellent research progress
(1995) Postdoctoral fellowship, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)This is a competitive, 1 –year fellowship, which was given to selected applicants from East Germany for training at an Institution in the US.
(1995) Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Preis, University of Halle/Wittenberg
In recognition of an exceptional PhD. defense (summa cum laude). This award is sponsored by the Deutsche Bank and given to only one selected individual per year.
(1995) Martin-Luther-Medal, University of Halle/Wittenberg
In recognition of an exceptional PhD. Defense. This award is given only to selected few individuals who graduated with summa cum laude.
(1993) Predoctoral fellowship, German Research Society (DFG)
This is a competitive fellowship given only to selected applicants.
(1991) 3-yr predoctoral fellowship, Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes. This fellowship is given to only about 2% of applicants.
I was one of the first students from East Germany with this fellowship
2019-present CB7220 Molecular Biology of Cancer Development Cr. 3, two lectures per year on gene editing
2018-present IBS7015, Interdisciplinary Cell and Molecular Biology Cr. 6, 3 lectures per year on Cancer Biology, Cancer Cells (2018-present)
Numerous genes have been identified that are crucial for normal development and cancer. Their role is being studied in our research group through their deregulated expression in transgenic animals and through their deletion from the mouse genome by homologous recombination. Specifically, our laboratory has the expertise to overexpress genes in a temporally and spatially controlled manner using the tet system and to delete genes in a tissue-specific and temporally controlled fashion using the Cre/loxP recombination system. Current projects include the analysis of cytokine signaling through the Jak/Stat and PI3K/Akt pathways as well as the role of c-Myc and oncogenic Kras in the initiation and maintenance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Courses taught by Kay-Uwe Wagner
Fall Term 2024 (current)
Fall Term 2023
- IBS7015 - Interdisciplinary Cell and Molecular Biology
- CB7220 - Molecular Biology of Cancer Development