“I first became fascinated by what happens inside our cells during my studies. They are so complex that you need to be very creative if you want to uncover their secrets. My supervisor Bas van Steensel is that creative. He developed several applications that allow us to track the way cells communicate internally. This communication relies on proteins called transcription factors, which act as switches that turn genes on or off.
I designed a tool that can improve the sensors receiving these signals. This resulted in a collection of approximately 100 sensors. Usually only 20 to 30 of these are active, depending on the cell type and its location in the body. Tumors show increased activity in some of these signals, causing cells to grow too quickly. We have drugs that can slow down these growth signals, although we need more research on this topic.
In the coming years, I will continue my work in Bas’s lab as a postdoctoral researcher. We are setting up our own company as well, which will allow us to use our tools for the faster development of new medicines.”
Max Trauernicht will defend his thesis on December 8.