Ongoing research
We investigate how microproteins interact with, and influence the activity of, key transcription factors such as RUNX2 and SOX2. These factors play central roles in development, cellular identity and differentiation, but their dysregulation is also implicated in tumor aggressiveness and metastasis. By integrating molecular and cellular biology, structural biology, genomics and in vivo cancer models, we aim to define the mechanisms through which microproteins regulate transcription-factor function and gene-expression programs.
A particular focus is the identification and characterization of microprotein–transcription-factor interactions, including their effects on protein complex formation, DNA binding and transcriptional activity. This work addresses fundamental questions in gene regulation while exploring whether microproteins can be harnessed to modulate transcription factors that have traditionally been difficult to target pharmacologically.
Recent findings
- Thang NX, Martinsen E, Abdelhalim M, Tran TT, Ledsaak M, Rogne M, Thiede B, Eskeland R. Proteome-wide multi-omics profiling of osteosarcoma transcription factor networks. J Mol Biol. 2026 Jul 29:169959.
