Matjaz Barboric, PhD
University of Helsinki
Role of mutations in transcription elongation Cdk12/CycK kinase in ovarian cancer
Better understanding of molecular mechanisms contributing to the onset of high-grade serous ovarian cancer will advance improvements in diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Barboric will investigate the deregulation of a novel transcription elongation kinase Cdk12/CycK, whose recurrent mutations have been identified recently. Using newly developed epithelial ovarian model cell lines harboring these mutations and systems biology approaches, this project will reveal how mutated Cdk12/CycK kinase perturbs gene expression programs and interactions with its associated factors, giving insight into deregulated biological processes that underlie the genesis of ovarian cancer.