How do leukemia oncoproteins drive cancer development?
How can we exploit our knowledge about molecular mechanisms in leukemia development to improve patient management?
In the Grebien laboratory, we use a multidisciplinary approach to dissect molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer development. The focus of our research is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a cancer of white blood cells that is characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal myeloid cells. Their accumulation in the bone marrow interferes with the production of normal blood cells, leading to dysfunctional hematopoiesis.
AML development is caused by dysfunction of factors that are required to regulate normal blood development. Recent genomic studies have shown that leukemia oncoproteins often arise from mutations in genes that encode transcription factors and epigenetic modulators.
We believe that oncogenic mechanisms of AML fusion proteins are hard-wired in specific networks of physical, genetic and epigenetic interactions with key effector proteins. Functional exploration of these networks will provide new insights into cellular processes that depend on critical effector proteins of AML oncoproteins. Thus, the goal of our research is a comprehensive systems-level investigation of oncogenic mechanisms employed by AML oncoproteins.
By combining novel cell line and animal models of AML with cutting-edge proteomic-, epigenomic- and transcriptomic approaches, we have established a robust experimental pipeline for the functional characterization of AML oncoproteins in a multilayered fashion. This is complemented by functional studies in mouse models and primary human samples to detect molecular vulnerabilities that are dependent on the oncogenic mutation of interest.
Find out more about the research in the FG group…
Latest News from the Grebien Lab
24.01.2026
Our lab had a fantastic evening at the Science Ball 2026 in Vienna! It was a great opportunity to meet colleagues from across the scientific community and enjoy an inspiring night in Vienna’s beautiful Rathaus. Already looking forward to the Science Ball 2027!
20.01.2026
Congratulations to Christina Horstmann and Gabriel Kaufmann, our two PhD students who recently got a DOC fellowship and today attended the DOC fellowship award ceremony from the Austrian Academy of Sciences. How exciting for them to officially receive them! We’re proud of this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the exciting research this support will help make possible. Go Chrissi and Gabriel!
08.01.2026
Today we wholeheartedly congratulate Ecem on successfully defending her PhD! We’re proud of everything she has accomplished in the lab and grateful for her contributions to the team, her cheerful personality and the moments together. We wish her all the very best for the next step, she’ll surely rock it!
Funding
The Grebien Group 