Boston University · BiochemistryAging and Tumor Microenvironment Lab
Xaralabos Varelas · Boston, Massachusetts
Research Focus
Dr. Xaralabos Varelas's lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding how aging affects head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and their associated immune responses. The lab explores how mechanical signals from the extracellular matrix in older tissues influence tumor growth and the tumor microenvironment, aiming to uncover new therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, their work seeks to improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from HNSCC.
head and neck canceragingimmune evasionmechanical signalingextracellular matrixcancer therapy
Research Aims
5AIM 01Define the role of aging in HNSCC progression
AIM 02Examine mechanical signals in aged tissues
AIM 03Analyze immune responses associated with tumor growth
AIM 04Investigate the role of YAP in tumorigenesis
AIM 05Test therapeutic interventions targeting immune evasion
Skills the Lab Values
syngeneic orthotopic xenograft modelstumor growth analysisimmune cell profilingextracellular matrix characterizationprotein assaysgene expression analysiscollagen crosslinking assessmentcell culture techniquestranscriptional regulation studieschemokine signaling evaluation
Output against the department
Publications206top 39% of dept.155th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations9.4kbottom 49% of dept.205th of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.