Brandon Faubert

About

Brandon Faubert, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago, affiliated with the Department of Medicine, the Committee on Cancer Biology, and the Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition. His research laboratory focuses on understanding how metabolic reprogramming—alterations in metabolic flux within malignant cells—supports cancer cell survival, growth, and progression. Dr. Faubert's team has extensive expertise in both in vitro and in vivo metabolic analysis, including the direct measurement of tumor metabolism intra-operatively in patients. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of metabolic pathways in cancer, his lab employs a wide array of mass spectrometry platforms alongside advanced methodologies such as isotope tracing (^13C, ^2H, etc.), metabolomics, and metabolic flux analysis. These tools enable the dissection of the metabolic programs driving malignant phenotypes at both cellular and systemic levels. Complementing these biochemical techniques, the lab also uses molecular imaging technologies to noninvasively monitor tumor metabolic states in vivo, facilitating the investigation of metabolic heterogeneity across different tumor types and stages. Recent work from Dr. Faubert’s laboratory explores the metabolic alterations that occur during the metastatic cascade, aiming to uncover novel vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically targeted.

Research topics

• Biology
• Cancer research
• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Chemistry
• Cell biology
• Internal medicine
• Bioinformatics
• Medicine

Selected publications

• Trans-vaccenic acid reprograms CD8+ T cells and anti-tumour immunity

  Nature · 2023 · 125 citations

  T cells as opposed to the intrahost gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids. TVA thus has translational potential for the treatment of tumours.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Conservation and divergence of metabolic phenotypes between patient tumours and matched xenografts

  Nature Metabolism · 2025-07-29 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) are frequently used as preclinical models, but their recapitulation of tumour metabolism in patients has not been closely examined. We developed a parallel workflow to analyse [U- 13 C]glucose tracing and metabolomics data from patient melanomas and matched PDXs. Melanomas from patients have substantial TCA cycle labelling, similar to levels in human brain tumours. Although levels of TCA cycle labelling in PDXs were similar to those in the original pati…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Approaches to stable isotope tracing and in vivo metabolomics in the cancer clinic

  The EMBO Journal · 2025-05-12 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells is complex. Cancer cells rewire nutrient uptake and enzyme activity to support malignant properties. These metabolic phenotypes are the combination of intrinsic factors, including mutation status or tissue of origin, and extrinsic factors, such as alterations in blood supply or the contributions of multiple cell types within the tumor microenvironment. This complexity can be challenging to reproduce in vitro and has prompted investigators to study tumor me…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Abstract PS2-13-04: Glucocorticoids promote metabolic reprogramming that underlies enhanced proliferation of breast cancer stem and progenitor cells under conditions of chronic stress

  Clinical Cancer Research · 2026-02-17

  article

  Abstract Glucocorticoids promote metabolic reprogramming associated with enhanced proliferation of rat mammary gland cancer cells Exposure to chronic stressors can have a significant role in both disrupting normal mammary gland development as well as potentially negatively impacting the breast cancer outcome. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are stress responsive steroid hormones that mediate cellular and physiological stress responses via activating the GC receptor (GR). While several studies have sought…

  PublisherDOI

• A Stable Isotope Tracing Primer for the Mass Spectrometrist

  Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry · 2026-02-17

  articleOpen access

  Metabolic function plays a key role in our understanding of both biological and pathophysiological processes. Metabolism is a complex combination of intrinsic processes and environmental cues across a heterogeneous mix of cell types. To investigate metabolism, stable isotope tracing is a versatile approach to assess metabolism across scales, including in cultured cells, animal models, and humans. From the first tracing studies over a century ago, the development and utility of these studies have…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Ralph J. DeBerardinis

  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

  166 shared

• Ling Cai

  50 shared

• Russell G. Jones

  Van Andel Institute

  44 shared

• Bookyung Ko

  42 shared

• Chendong Yang

  38 shared

• Jiyeon Kim

  Yale University

  35 shared

• Lauren G. Zacharias

  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

  34 shared

• Benoı̂t Viollet

  Université Paris Cité

  32 shared

Labs

• Faubert LabPI

Education

• Ph.D., Physiology

  McGill University

  2015

• Other, Cancer Metabolism

  UT Southwestern

  2021

Similar researchers at University of Chicago

• Gini Flemingh-133
• Hedy Kindlerh-109
• Marina Chiara Garassinoh-69