This website is dedicated to the research lab of Maarten van Lohuizen at the Division of Molecular Genetics of the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI).

Role of polycomb-group genes in transcriptional repression, stem cell fate and tumorigenesis

Our lab has a long-standing interest in epigenetic gene regulation dictated by chromatin modifications. We study the mechanism of stable inherited transcriptional repression by Polycomb-group (Pc-G) protein complexes, and the effects of deregulation of Pc-G genes on development, cell cycle control, cancer formation and stem cell maintenance. In addition, we are performing large-scale genetic screens in primary cells and in cancer-predisposed mice to identify cancer-relevant combinations of collaborating oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes.