Atanassov Lab

Deubiquitinating and chromatin modifying enzymes in cancer

Research in the Atanassov Laboratory focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which deubiquitinating (DUBs) and chromatin modifying enzymes and the complexes they form potentiate tumor formation, growth and metastasis.

We are particularly interested in Ubiquitin Specific Proteases (USPs) that are capable of removing ubiquitin moieties from histones and non-histone proteins, thus altering the expression patterns of different genes and regulating the function of target proteins.

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Research focus

In recent years USPs have gained significant attention as drug targets since the aberrant expression of several family members has been directly linked to different stages of cancer development. DUB inhibitors also provide an opportunity to eliminate undruggable targets whose protein is stabilized by deubiquitination.

Using a variety of biochemical and genetic approaches (e.g., in vitro studies, tissue and organoid culture, and mouse models), our lab aims to 1) define the molecular mechanisms by which USPs potentiate tumor growth and 2) validate members of the USPs family as drug targets in cancer.

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Publications

You'll find our research in Molecular Cancer Research, Molecular Cell, Cell Chemical Biology, and more.

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People

Get to know our current lab members and previous trainees.

Meet our team

Join our team!

The Atanassov lab at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to study the role of deubiquitinating enzymes in cancer.

The postdoc will work with a dynamic team of scientists and research fellows in an outstanding research environment and utilize engineered mouse models and biochemical approaches to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of how these enzymes potentiate cancer growth and develop strategies for their therapeutic targeting.

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