World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Biology and Biochemistry

D-Index
89
Citations
32813
World Ranking
2526
National Ranking
1328

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2013 - Member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)
  • 2007 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • 2007 - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Overview

Helen Piwnica-Worms is affiliated with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the United States. Their research broadly covers areas within biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and medicine, focusing on molecular biology, oncology, cancer research, physiology, and pulmonary and respiratory medicine.

Their scholarly work addresses multiple aspects of cancer biology, including cancer cells and metastasis, cancer genomics and diagnostics, breast cancer treatment studies, cancer-related hypoxia and metabolism, RNA modifications in cancer, cancer-related molecular pathways, and ubiquitin and proteasome pathways.

Helen Piwnica-Worms has contributed frequently to a number of publication venues, especially cancer-focused journals and libraries. Notably, their publications have appeared in:

  • Cancer Research
  • Nature Communications
  • npj Breast Cancer
  • UNC Libraries
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

A selection of recent papers by Helen Piwnica-Worms includes:

  • A comprehensive overview of metaplastic breast cancer: clinical features and molecular aberrations (2020, Breast Cancer Research)
  • The RNA-binding protein AKAP8 suppresses tumor metastasis by antagonizing EMT-associated alternative splicing (2020, Nature Communications)
  • Anti-GD2 antibody dinutuximab inhibits triple-negative breast tumor growth by targeting GD2+ breast cancer stem-like cells (2021, Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer)
  • Reprogramming of H3K9bhb at regulatory elements is a key feature of fasting in the small intestine (2021, Cell Reports)
  • Mammary-specific expression of Trim24 establishes a mouse model of human metaplastic breast cancer (2021, Nature Communications)

Frequent coauthors collaborating with Helen Piwnica-Worms include:

  • Stacy L. Moulder
  • Jeffrey T. Chang
  • W. Fraser Symmans
  • Xiaomei Zhang
  • Stacy Moulder

Helen Piwnica-Worms has been recognized by several professional bodies for their contributions to science. They were inducted as a Member of the National Academy of Medicine in 2013 and were named Fellows of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2007.

Best Publications

  • Conservation of the Chk1 checkpoint pathway in mammals: Linkage of DNA damage to Cdk regulation through Cdc25

    Yolanda Sanchez;Calvin Wong;Calvin Wong;Richard S. Thoma;Richard S. Thoma;Ron Richman;Ron Richman

  • Mitotic and G2 checkpoint control: regulation of 14-3-3 protein binding by phosphorylation of Cdc25C on serine-216.

    Cheng Yuan Peng;Paul R. Graves;Richard S. Thoma;Zhiqi Wu

  • ATR-mediated checkpoint pathways regulate phosphorylation and activation of human Chk1.

    Hui Zhao;Helen Piwnica-Worms

  • The product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene has properties of a cell cycle regulatory element.

    James A. DeCaprio;John W. Ludlow;Dennis Lynch;Yusuke Furukawa

  • Whole-genome analysis informs breast cancer response to aromatase inhibition

    Matthew J. Ellis;Li Ding;Dong Shen;Jingqin Luo

  • Inactivation of the p34cdc2-cyclin B complex by the human WEE1 tyrosine kinase.

    Laura L. Parker;Helen Piwnica-Worms

  • Use of an oriented peptide library to determine the optimal substrates of protein kinases

    Zhou Songyang;Steven Blechner;Nicole Hoagland;Merl F. Hoekstra

  • The Chk1 protein kinase and the Cdc25C regulatory pathways are targets of the anticancer agent UCN-01

    Paul R. Graves;Lijia Yu;Julie K. Schwarz;Janis Gales

  • Abnormal Alzheimer-like phosphorylation of tau-protein by cyclin-dependent kinases cdk2 and cdk5

    K. Baumann;E. M. Mandelkow;J. Biernat;Helen Piwnica-Worms

  • Metformin Promotes Antitumor Immunity via Endoplasmic-Reticulum-Associated Degradation of PD-L1.

    Jong-Ho Cha;Wen-Hao Yang;Weiya Xia;Yongkun Wei

  • Tyrosine phosphorylation regulates the biochemical and biological properties of pp60c-src.

    Helen Piwnica-Worms;Kim B Saunders;Thomas M Roberts;Alan E Smith

  • Disruption of the checkpoint kinase 1/cell division cycle 25A pathway abrogates ionizing radiation-induced S and G2 checkpoints.

    Hui Zhao;Janis L. Watkins;Helen Piwnica-Worms

  • Threonine 68 phosphorylation by ataxia telangiectasia mutated is required for efficient activation of Chk2 in response to ionizing radiation

    Joon Young Ahn;Julie K. Schwarz;Helen Piwnica-Worms;Christine E. Canman

  • Kinetics of regulated protein–protein interactions revealed with firefly luciferase complementation imaging in cells and living animals

    Kathryn E. Luker;Matthew C. P. Smith;Gary D. Luker;Seth T. Gammon

  • The human Myt1 kinase preferentially phosphorylates Cdc2 on threonine 14 and localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex.

    Feng Liu;Jeffrey J. Stanton;Zhiqi Wu;Helen Piwnica-Worms

  • Replication checkpoint requires phosphorylation of the phosphatase Cdc25 by Cds1 or Chk1

    Yan Zeng;Kristi Chrispell Forbes;Zhiqi Wu;Sergio Moreno

  • Cyclin A/CDK2 binds directly to E2F-1 and inhibits the DNA-binding activity of E2F-1/DP-1 by phosphorylation.

    Min Xu;Kelly Ann Sheppard;Cheng Yuan Peng;Amy S. Yee

  • Lack of PTEN sequesters CHK1 and initiates genetic instability

    Janusz Puc;Megan Keniry;Hong Shen Li;Tej K. Pandita

  • Atypical PKC Phosphorylates PAR-1 Kinases to Regulate Localization and Activity

    Jonathan B Hurov;Janis L Watkins;Helen Piwnica-Worms

  • Contribution of p53 to Metastasis

    Emily Powell;David Piwnica-Worms;Helen Piwnica-Worms

Frequent Co-Authors

Alastair M. Thompson
Alastair M. Thompson Baylor College of Medicine
David Piwnica-Worms
David Piwnica-Worms The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Elizabeth A. Mittendorf
Elizabeth A. Mittendorf Brigham and Women's Hospital
Jeffrey T. Chang
Jeffrey T. Chang The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Timothy P. Heffernan
Timothy P. Heffernan The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Banu Arun
Banu Arun The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Matthew J. Ellis
Matthew J. Ellis Baylor College of Medicine
Thomas M. Roberts
Thomas M. Roberts Harvard University
Lewis C. Cantley
Lewis C. Cantley Harvard University
Giulio Draetta
Giulio Draetta The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring a future in Biology and Biochemistry opens the door to a variety of in-demand healthcare roles. Many students consider the job outlook for medical billing and coding, where professionals are needed to manage healthcare data and insurance information. This path offers flexible online study options and strong employment prospects.

Earning a health information management degree online can lead to careers managing electronic health records and ensuring data privacy in medical settings. These programs fit well for learners seeking a balance between science and technology.

For students focused on nutrition science, the cost of masters degree in nutrition is an important consideration. Many affordable online programs deliver advanced knowledge in dietetics and wellness without a heavy financial burden.

Additionally, online ultrasound tech programs train students for hands-on diagnostic imaging roles. These fields offer competitive salaries and stable job growth.

Online degrees make it possible to enter or advance in these healthcare pathways, combining flexibility, accessibility, and strong career prospects.

Best Scientists Citing Helen Piwnica-Worms

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles