Pediatric Leukemia • Fusion Oncoproteins • Multi-omics • Molecular Mechanisms
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.
Latest News
25.06.2026
The past three days, our PhD student Carla (right) attended the 1st Ped-One Young Networking Event in Copenhagen. This event was in part organized by Anna Cvrtak (left), who did her MSc thesis with us too! It was a great opportunity to connect with early-stage researchers in pediatric oncology from 6 leading centres, attend great lectures and dive deeper into translational research. Can’t wait for the next meeting!
06.06.2026
The past three days, our PhD student Patricia went to Oslo to attend the 8th EuSARC Annual Symposium. She presented a poster on her work and got to meet researchers, clinicians and patient representatives from the field. Looking forward to the next meeting already!
22.05.2026
The past four days, our PhD student Gabriel, our postdoc Pablo and our PI Florian went to Heidelberg to attend the EMBL Symposium “Cellular mechanisms driven by phase separation”. It was a great chance to hear fantastic speakers, disseminate our research on condensates and network with scientists from all over the world. Plus, Gabriel won a prize for his poster – congratulations, well done!
17.04.2026
Today we said goodbye to our Bachelor’s thesis student Ayumi, who has been working with Gabriel with a lot of skill and motivation! We are grateful for this time together and wish you the very best on your next scientific endeavour, we are sure you’ll keep doing great!
Funding
The Grebien Lab 