Vamsi Mootha

Vamsi Mootha created MitoCarta, the definitive compendium of the mitochondrial proteome, providing the cancer research community with a comprehensive map of mitochondrial proteins and their functions that has enabled systematic identification of mitochondrial cancer vulnerabilities. His laboratory developed CRISPR-based genetic screens of mitochondrial genes in cancer cells, identifying essential mitochondrial pathways for tumor cell survival across diverse cancer types. He demonstrated that mitochondrial protein import machinery represents a druggable cancer target. His systems biology approach to mitochondrial function has revealed cancer-specific metabolic dependencies amenable to therapeutic intervention.