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Functions of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 11 (CDK11) in Regulation of Gene Expression and Tumorigenesis

Doctoral study program           

Life Sciences (Faculty of Science, Masaryk University) 

Supervisor 

Dalibor Blažek, Ph.D.

Annotation

Cyclin-dependent kinase 11 (CDK11) is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues indicating an important role for CDK11 in cells. Our recent studies has shown CDK11 plays key roles in transcription of replication-dependent histone genes and in co-transcriptional mRNA splicing (1, 2). Notably, several recent studies identified CDK11 as a candidate essential gene for growth of several cancers therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism(s) of CDK11-dependent gene expression is also of significant clinical interest. In this research we will use CDK11 inhibitors and advanced techniques of molecular biology and biochemistry to characterize roles of CDK11 in regulation of gene expression and tumorigenesis.

Recommended literature 

• Hluchy M, Gajduskova, P., Ruiz de los Mozos I., Rajecky M., Kluge M., Berger BT., Slaba Z. Potesil D., Weis E., Ule J., Zdrahal Z., Knapp S., Paruch K., Friedel CC., Blazek D*. CDK11 regulates pre-mRNA splicing by phosphorylation of SF3B1. Nature; 609(7928):829-834 (2022)
• Gajduskova, P., Ruiz de Los Mozos I, Rajecky M., Hluchy M., Ule J., Blazek D*: CDK11 is required for transcription of replication dependent histone genes. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 27 (5):500-510 (2020)

Research area

RNA/nucleic acids research in health, cancer biology.

Keywords

CDK11, mRNA splicing, replication-dependent histone genes, SF3B1, cancer, genomics, proteomics, kinase inhibitors, OTS964

Funding of the PhD candidate

Project EXPRO (2023-2027)
In the academic year 2026/27 the net income of the CEITEC PhD School student is expected to be at least CZK 29,400 (approx. EUR  1215)
In the academic year 2026/27 the net income of the CEITEC PhD School student is expected to be at least CZK 29,400 (approx. EUR  1215)

Requirements for candidate

Background in molecular biology, biochemistry or life sciences. Interest in bioinformatics and data analyses is desirable.

Information about the supervisor

3 PhD students
2 absolvents
Supervisor´s personal webpage https://www.ceitec.eu/dalibor-blazek-ph-d/u25918
Research group info https://www.ceitec.eu/inherited-diseases-transcriptional-regulation/rg38