Prof. Dr. Martin Eilers

Institute: Biocenter, Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Würzburg

Abstract: MYC oncoproteins are central drivers of mammalian tumorigenesis, and virtually all tumors depend on their expression. But why is this the case? And how can this dependency be exploited to target their function for tumor therapy? Traditionally, MYC proteins have been thought to be oncogenic because they alter the gene expression profiles of cells. I will discuss our recent work suggesting that a phase transition of MYC and the formation of multimeric forms, which protect the genome and help tumor cells to hide from the immune system, is at the heart of MYC-driven tumorigenesis.

Chair: Janina Rieger