E Lee - Cell death and survival in health and disease
Our laboratory investigates the molecular circuits that control cell survival and cell death, with a particular focus on autophagy and apoptosis. We integrate biochemical, cell-based and imaging technique with disease-relevant organoid systems and mouse models to uncover how disruptions in these pathways drive disease.
Our ultimate goal is to translate mechanistic insights into novel therapeutic strategies for intestinal disorders and hard-to-treat solid cancers.
Research areas
Cell Death and Survival Pathways in Intestinal Health and Disease
We investigate how cell survival pathways—particularly autophagy—preserve gastrointestinal homeostasis, and how their disruption contributes to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our research has shown that loss of key autophagy regulators results in severe epithelial damage, crypt atrophy,and early mortality, highlighting the critical role of autophagy in maintaining intestinal integrity. We are now dissecting the crosstalk between autophagy and other cell death pathways, including apoptosis and necroptosis, to understand how these interactions govern epithelial renewal, barrier maintenance, and immune responses. By uncovering the molecular mechanisms driving intestinal inflammation and tissue remodeling, we aim to identify novel therapeutic strategies for IBD and its complications, such as intestinal fibrosis, with the goal of restoring long-term gut health.
Targeting Apoptosis to Treat Incurable Solid Cancers
Resistance to apoptosis is a hallmark of many solid tumours and a major barrier to effective treatment. Our research centres on the BCL-2 family of proteins,key regulators of mitochondrial apoptosis that are frequently altered in cancer. Our laboratory is internationally recognised as a leader in the development,validation, and application of BH3-mimetic drugs—targeted agents that restore apoptotic cell death by neutralising pro-survival BCL-2 proteins. While these agents have transformed the treatment landscape for haematological malignancies, their clinical success in solid tumours has been limited.
To address this, we combine mechanism-driven studies with high-throughput drug screening to identify rational BH3-mimetic combination strategies. We also apply AI-based approaches to uncover novel cancer vulnerabilities and resistance pathways, accelerating the discovery of more precise and effective therapeutic interventions. Our work focuses on aggressive, treatment-refractory solid tumours, with the ultimate goal of translating these findings into durable, life-extending therapies.
Meet the team
Group members
Group Leader
Associate Professor Erinna Lee Associate Professor Douglas Fairlie (Co-Lab Head)
Research assistant
Tiffany Harris
PhD student
Juliani Juliani Kristian Caracciolo (Co-supervisor: Professor Brian Abbey) Umirah Binte Abdul Khalid
