Dr. Mariano Barbacid stands as a preeminent figure in molecular oncology whose pioneering work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of cancer genetics. He currently serves as Professor AXA-CNIO of Molecular Oncology and leads the Experimental Oncology Group at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas in Madrid, Spain. Holding a PhD in Chemical Sciences from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid earned in 1974, his career trajectory spans three decades of influential research across both academic and industrial settings. Following postdoctoral training at the US National Cancer Institute, he established his independent research program in 1978, later transitioning to pharmaceutical leadership before returning to Spain to found the CNIO in 1998, an institution that rapidly rose to become one of the world's leading cancer research centers.
Dr. Barbacid's landmark achievement came in 1982 when his laboratory successfully isolated the first human oncogene, specifically identifying the H-ras mutation responsible for bladder carcinoma, a discovery published in Nature that established the molecular basis of human cancer. This groundbreaking work demonstrated for the first time that specific point mutations in cellular genes could transform normal cells into cancerous ones, revolutionizing the field's understanding of cancer pathogenesis. His subsequent research elucidated the mechanisms of oncogene activation and laid the foundation for targeted cancer therapies that have transformed clinical oncology. The profound impact of this discovery continues to resonate through contemporary cancer research, with his identification of the molecular etiology of human tumors serving as the cornerstone for precision medicine approaches that now benefit millions of patients worldwide.
As a scientific leader, Dr. Barbacid has shaped the global oncology research landscape through his visionary establishment of the CNIO, which under his directorship from 1998 to 2011 became internationally recognized as one of the top seven cancer research centers globally. His current research focuses on developing genetically engineered mouse models that faithfully reproduce human lung and pancreatic cancers, particularly those driven by K-RAS mutations, to identify novel therapeutic targets within the MAPK and PI3K pathways. Beyond his laboratory work, he has mentored generations of cancer researchers and established collaborative frameworks that connect basic science with clinical applications. Dr. Barbacid continues to push the boundaries of cancer research, with his ongoing work promising to unlock new therapeutic strategies against historically undruggable cancer targets, thereby extending the legacy of his pioneering contributions to molecular oncology.
