Dr. Chen is interested in elucidating the signaling interplay between metabolic and cell signaling networks for a better understanding of cancer metabolism and improved clinical outcome. Two major research focuses include (1) To determine both metabolic and signaling functions of intracellular metabolites and circulating “blood chemicals”, which influence tumorigenesis and tumor progression, and responses to anti-cancer therapies including chemotherapy and immunotherapy; and (2) To decipher mechanistic basis underlying the pathogenic links between diets and particular oncogenic mutations by exploring the pro- and anti-tumor effects of diet-derived substances on tumors with specific genetic backgrounds.