Control of DNA Replication
We are interested in the mechanisms controlling the initiation of DNA replication in multicellular organisms. There, the interplay between chromosomal cis elements and the trans-acting factors (initiators) contributing to replication initiation is only poorly understood. This process is the starting point for the ordered execution of genome duplication and thus crucial for cellular proliferation and the maintenance of genome stability. While we initially aim to understanding basic principles of replication control, we also start to integrate this research into the analysis of pathophysiological events, especially in cancer. The current focus of our work is on the eukaryotic initiator protein ORC, the origin recognition complex. Aside from biochemical approaches, both mammalian tissue cultures and Drosophila are used as experimental systems. In addition to the above topics, the group is also interested in transcriptional cross-talk between neighbouring transgenes as well as the long-term stability and homogeneity of their expression patterns.