Our team is seeking to identify key molecular mechanisms that generate mRNA splicing abnormalities in cancer. Splicing of mRNA is a crucial process in eukaryotic gene expression regulation. In addition to canonical splicing, which leads to the inclusion of constitutive exons into the mature mRNA, the transcriptome is subject to alternative splicing.

More than 90% of eukaryotic mRNAs undergo alternative splicing, giving rise to multiple protein-coding isoforms from a single precursor mRNA. Alternative splicing is therefore a major determinant for proteome diversity and organism complexity.

Emerging data indicate that aberrant alternative splicing plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of several molecular subtypes of cancer. Such splicing abnormalities can lead to constitutive activity of oncogenes, reduced expression of tumor suppressors, or drug resistance.

By employing transcriptomic and gene-editing technologies combined with mechanistic cellular biology, we explore the interplay of cis- and trans-regulatory splicing elements in cancer. Our goal is to understand how these elements shape the complex pathophysiology of tumor cells, and to identify tumor-specific vulnerabilities for targeted cancer therapy.

• Mentors
  • Dr. Christina Esdar
    Associate Director TIP Oncology at Merck, Darmstadt, Germany (Industry mentor)
  • Prof. Dr. Andreas Kulozik
    Head of the Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology at Children’s Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Germany (Academic mentor)