Our cells all contain the same genetic information, but they use it in different ways depending on their identity and function. This is possible thanks to a sophisticated control system that determines which genes are switched on or off.
Importantly, this system has several layers of control that can work together or compensate for one another, helping cells remain stable when conditions change. In this project, we want to understand how these different layers cooperate and what happens when this balance is disrupted.
We will identify which mechanisms can replace or support each other and investigate how their interactions shape the behaviour of healthy and diseased cells. Our goal is to reveal the basic principles that make this system both flexible and resilient.
This knowledge will also help us understand how these mechanisms are altered in diseases such as cancer and, in the future, may suggest new ways to influence cell behavior for therapeutic purposes.
This project is funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the Fondo Italiano per la Scienza (FIS 3) programme.
Posted on September 30, 2026