Control of Gene Expression

BIOGRAPHY

My research group is part of a larger group of researchers who focus on understanding the basic molecular processes that underly tumourigenesis. Chiefly these areas cover cell signalling, gene expression and cell cycle control.

My own research focuses on understanding how cellular signalling pathways impact on transcriptional regulation. We focus on several pathways; MAP kinases, cell cycle-dependent kinases (CDKs and polo kinases), and DNA damage pathways. At the nuclear level, we focus on ETS-domain and forkhead transcription factors. Major projects in the lab involve investigating global responses to signalling through particular transcriptional regulators using postgenomic technologies, and more mechanistic studies aimed at understanding how signalling changes the activities of transcriptional regulators. Another area of interest is protein sumoylation and how this impacts on transcription factor activity and cross-talks with signalling pathways. In terms of biological context, we are most interested in investigating generic processes such as cell cycle control, cellular proliferation and stress responses. While focusing on basic mechanisms we also are translating some of our findings into a cancer context.