Vladimir Korinek

Topic: Wnt signaling in development and cancer. We focus on the research of cancer growth in the intestinal mucosa as well as searching for genes that are “switched on” by Wnt signaling in mammalian cells, particularly in the intestine and liver and in tumors of the intestinal or liver origin. The results of this research may help to explain the molecular mechanisms crucial for the functioning of healthy cells and their transformation into tumor cells. We contributed significantly to the discovery of the molecular basis of colon cancer. The laboratory uses advanced molecular biology techniques that include genetically modified mice that enable conditional “neutralization” of genes in mouse tissues. We also employ high-throughput screens to characterize chemical inhibitors of Wnt signaling pathway with antitumor effect.