Discovering the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases of one of the most complex organs – the brain - remains a central challenge in neurological research. A normal and diseased cell state is ultimately determined by the coordinated expression of its genome and transcription factors integrating extrinsic and intrinsic signals are fundamental to gene expression control. Identifying master regulators controlling specific cell states will greatly facilitate the control of diseased cells.
Rett syndrome and glioma
The focus of this group is the elucidation of transcription networks in two diseases of the brain, Rett syndrome and glioma.
Rett syndrome is caused by mutations in MECP2, encoding a transcription repressor and transcription factors are also critically involved in brain tumor development and growth. Our objective is to gain knowledge about central gene regulatory networks in these diseases to be translated into novel therapies.
The aim of the glioma project is to identify master regulatory factors controlling brain tumor stem cells and to understand how these factors are implicated in the development of brain tumor stem cells from normal neural cells. In addition, we are validating these regulators as novel drug targets. In the project on Rett syndrome, we are investigating the interplay between the repressor MeCP2 and the glucocorticoid receptor as activator of common target genes to find out whether interfering with this balance could lead to the development of a novel treatment strategy.
Page Manager: Katarina Branzén
Last modified: 2011-01-18
Ulrike Nuber
MD, Associate Professor
Group Leader
Phone: +46-46-2221563
