Cancer and Gene Regulation
The essential chromatin organising protein and tumour suppressor gene CTCF is central to our research focus. Mutations in CTCF occur frequently in endometrial and breast cancers, as well as leukaemia. We are functionally characterising mutations in CTCF and their impact on DNA binding, protein-protein interactions, chromatin organisation and cell growth characteristics. Our research is revealing new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of cancer initiation and progression.
To understand the impact of somatic mutations on key regulatory genes in cancer, we are performing cell growth and DNA-binding assays, loss- or gain-of-function studies, examining protein-protein interactions and transcriptomics.
Our expertise in molecular modelling of somatic mutations on existing protein structures or by developing homology models has enabled us to examine structure-function relationships in cancer.
Furthermore, our mouse models of those genetic lesions that result in genetic haploinsufficiency are helping us to understand cancer causation in various tissues and organs and their impact on normal gene regulatory homeostasis.
To understand the impact of somatic mutations on key regulatory genes in cancer, we are performing cell growth and DNA-binding assays, loss- or gain-of-function studies, examining protein-protein interactions and transcriptomics.
Our expertise in molecular modelling of somatic mutations on existing protein structures or by developing homology models has enabled us to examine structure-function relationships in cancer.
Furthermore, our mouse models of those genetic lesions that result in genetic haploinsufficiency are helping us to understand cancer causation in various tissues and organs and their impact on normal gene regulatory homeostasis.
