Genetic Networks

Tel: +972-4-829-5448 (office), +972-4-829-5449 (lab)

Fax: +972-4-852-3947

Email: mdoryan@tx.technion.ac.il

Website: http://orian.net.technion.ac.il

CV of Amir Orian

My laboratory focuses on understanding fundamental mechanisms by which regulatory gene networks determine gene expression. Specifically, we study genes belonging to the ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like pathways that are critical for cell’s identity and deregulation of such genes is associated with aging and cancer.

Specifically we study two gene networks:

1. “Identity network”; genes that are required to maintain the identity of differentiated cells that serve as a “barrier to tumorigenesis.”
2. “Non-oncogenic addiction network (NOA)”; Genes that are essential for cancer cells to cope with the oncogenic stress, are vital for cancer cell survival, but are less critical to non-transformed cells. Thus, they have the potential to be targets for molecular cancer therapy.

Our current projects include:

1. Characterizing the role of SUMO-Targeted-Ubiquitin Ligase in human cancers.
2. Identification of Ub/UbL-related genes that regulate adult gut homeostasis, de-differentiation, and cancer.

Towards these aims we employ advanced genetic and genomic tools including Drosophila genetics, functional screens in vivo, genomics, biochemistry and cell biology of mammalian cells, mouse-derived intestinal organoids and patient-derived specimens.

More about the lab can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC53-lREHQg