Principal Investigators

Oncogenes, Transcription and Cancer

Bruno Amati

Bruno Amati

Group Leader

Email [email protected]
Location Building 13
Floor 1st
Via Adamello 16, Milano

The MYC proto-oncogene and its product, the MYC transcription factor, have a central role in cellular growth control and oncogenesis. In normal cells, MYC is induced by growth-promoting signals, and in turn regulates genes involved in key cellular responses (growth, proliferation, apoptosis, energy metabolism, biosynthetic pathways, etc…). During tumor development, a variety of oncogenic mutations (affecting either the MYC locus, or upstream signaling pathways) can elicit deregulated MYC expression and, as a consequence, the aberrant implementation of MYC-dependent gene expression programs. MYC-driven tumors show “oncogene addiction”, indicating that MYC itself – and presumably a subset of its target genes – are required for tumor maintenance.

Key questions in the field regard the mechanisms through which MYC regulates transcription, the identity of MYC-regulated genes, their function in growth control and tumorigenesis, as well as their potential as therapeutic targets.

Our research addresses these questions based on a combination of advanced biological models, high-throughput “omic” approaches and computational tools. In parallel with our basic research program, we pursue translational studies aimed at the development and pre-clinical validation of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Most Relevant Publications

Group Scientist

Giulio Donati

Postdoc

Pasquale Conforti

Maria Musarra Pizzo

Sofia Rosalia Parisi

Maria Victoria Zanardi

Postdoc Bioinformatician

Marco Filipuzzi

PhD Student

Aya Ghsein

Fellow

Federica Miele

Vanessa Mittica

CV Bruno Amati
Complete list of publications