
Ryan M. Young, Ph.D.
- Center for Cancer Research
- National Cancer Institute
- Building 10, Room 4N108
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- 240-858-3513
- youngrm@nih.gov
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Dr. Young employs proteogenomic technologies to elucidate novel modes of pathogenic signaling in multiple myeloma and lymphoma. Insights from his research are helping to identify novel therapeutic targets and to exploit druggable pathways in lymphoid malignancies.
Areas of Expertise

Ryan M. Young, Ph.D.
Research
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy of plasma cells marked by extreme genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Chromosomal hyperdiploidy or recurrent chromosomal translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus primarily characterize this disease, with an abundance of mutations chiefly targeting the RAS and NF-kB pathways. While the genetics of MM have been well-annotated, much less is known about pathogenic signaling in MM and how common mutations contribute to oncogenic signaling. My research program utilizes cutting-edge proteogenomic techniques, high-resolution microscopy imaging and biochemical approaches to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying oncogenic signaling in MM. The goal of my lab is to find new opportunities for the targeted treatment of MM by exploiting druggable pathways, even in tumors with undruggable driver oncogenes.
Current projects in the laboratory focus on: 1) discovering new modes of pathogenic signaling emanating from mutant KRAS and NRAS in MM; 2) characterizing the origins of NF-kB survival signaling that is prevalent in MM; and 3) identifying novel genes that control protein stability of commonly expressed oncogenes and tumor suppressors in lymphoid malignancies.
Publications
Regulation of B cell receptor-dependent NF-κB signaling by the tumor suppressor KLHL14
Pathogenic B-cell receptor signaling in lymphoid malignancies: New insights to improve treatment
TLR Signaling Is Activated in Lymph Node-Resident CLL Cells and Is Only Partially Inhibited by Ibrutinib
A multiprotein supercomplex controlling oncogenic signalling in lymphoma
Survival of human lymphoma cells requires B-cell receptor engagement by self-antigens
Biography

Ryan M. Young, Ph.D.
Dr. Young received his B.S. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Cornell University in the laboratory of Drs. Barbara Baird and David Holowka. His dissertation research described how lipid order in the plasma membrane controls signal transduction by regulating the activity of Src-family kinases. He pursued post-doctoral training at National Jewish Medical Research Center in Denver, where he performed the first pre-clinical studies on inhibitors of B cell receptor signaling in lymphoma. He next joined the laboratory of Dr. Louis Staudt at the National Cancer Institute and was later promoted to a staff scientist. During this time Dr. Young developed a deep mechanistic understanding of how aggressive lymphomas utilize the B cell receptor and mutant isoforms of MYD88 to promote tumor growth and survival. These insights have helped to refine the use of B cell receptor pathway inhibitors in the clinic. His current research aims to elucidate pathological signaling in lymphoid malignancies, including multiple myeloma and lymphoma, and leverage these discoveries to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Job Vacancies
There are no open positions at this time. Check back again later, or take a look at CCR's Careers page.
Team
News
Learn more about CCR research advances, new discoveries and more on our news section.