Dr. David M. Sabatini is a distinguished molecular biologist renowned for his pioneering work on cellular growth regulation mechanisms and nutrient sensing pathways. A former professor of biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, he served as an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute from 2008 to 2021 and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2016. Following his departure from U.S. institutions in 2021-2022 amid sexual harassment allegations, Dr. Sabatini joined the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague in October 2023 as a senior group leader. He currently directs a dual-location laboratory with facilities in both Prague and the newly established IOCB Boston branch, continuing his internationally recognized research program.
Dr. Sabatini's most seminal contribution was the co-discovery of mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin), a master regulator of cell growth and metabolism that he identified during his PhD studies at a remarkably early career stage. His laboratory went on to characterize the mTOR-containing protein complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2, elucidating their biochemical functions and identifying the intricate nutrient-sensing pathway upstream of mTORC1 involving Rag GTPases, GATOR complexes, and specific amino acid sensors. This groundbreaking work established mTOR as a central hub that integrates diverse environmental cues including growth factors, nutrients, and cellular energy status to regulate the balance between anabolic and catabolic processes. The profound implications of his research span cancer biology, metabolic disorders, and aging, with the mTOR pathway serving as a critical target for therapeutic interventions including the anti-aging compound rapamycin.
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure from U.S. institutions, Dr. Sabatini's scientific legacy remains firmly established as his discoveries continue to shape research directions across multiple biological disciplines. His work on mTOR has spawned an entire field of investigation with thousands of researchers worldwide studying its roles in development, disease, and longevity. At IOCB Prague and its Boston branch, Dr. Sabatini continues to explore the molecular mechanisms of nutrient sensing and growth control, with particular focus on mitochondrial function, proteomics, and metabolomics approaches. He remains committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists while implementing enhanced oversight measures to ensure a respectful laboratory environment, with his current research poised to yield further insights into neurodegenerative diseases and potential longevity interventions.
