Eric Miska

Biography

Micro RNAs act as ‘molecular switches’, controlling which genes in DNA are turned ‘on’ or ‘off’ at any time. These switches can affect when and how cells multiply. Because cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell division, scientists think that micro RNAs could play an important role in the disease. Professor Miska is unravelling exactly how micro RNAs work. He and his team are finding out how micro RNAs are produced, how they switch genes on and off, and - crucially - how this process goes wrong in cancer. This innovative research will pave the way for new treatments for cancer, as well as pointing towards ways to diagnose and monitor the disease in the future.

Research Interest

Cancer biology