Robert Eferl, PhD

Institute for Cancer Research (ICR),
Borschkegasse 8a
A-1090 Vienna, Austria
Tel: + 43-1-40160-57571
Fax: + 43-1-40160-957510
Email:     robert.eferl@meduniwien.ac.at
Website: Eferl-Lab

Research interests

Our laboratory is investigating signaling pathways implicated in cancer formation. We focus on Ras and Jak/Stat signaling and study the importance of these pathways in tumor cells and cells of the tumor microenvironment. For that purpose we have established novel mouse tumor models and employ conditional gene inactivation approaches to identify Ras and Jak/Stat functions during tumor initiation and tumor progression. In particular, we are interested in Stat1 and Stat3 functions in liver and colorectal cancer. Activation of Stats is mediated by cytokines. Therefore, these transcription factors are considered as promising candidates that could provide a molecular link between inflammation and cancer development.

Selected publications

Pathria, P., D. Gotthardt, M. Prchal-Murphy, EM. Putz, M. Holcmann, M. Schlederer, B. Grabner, I. Crncec, J. Svinka, M. Musteanu, T. Hoffmann, M. Filipits, W. Berger, V. Poli, L. Kenner, M. Bilban, E. Casanova, M. Müller, B. Strobl, E. Bayer, T. Mohr, V. Sexl and R. Eferl. 2015. Myeloid STAT3 promotes formation of colitis-associated colorectal cancer in mice. OncoImmunology 4(4):e998529. eCollection 2015.

Musteanu, M., L. Blaas, R. Zenz, J. Svinka, T. Hoffmann, B. Grabner, D. Schramek, H.P. Kantner, M. Müller, T. Kolbe, T. Rülicke, R. Moriggl, L. Kenner, D. Stoiber, J.M. Penninger, H. Popper, E. Casanova, and R. Eferl. 2012. A mouse model to identify cooperating signaling pathways in cancer. Nat Methods 9: 897-900.

Mair, M., G. Zollner, D. Schneller, M. Musteanu, P. Fickert, J. Gumhold, C. Schuster, A. Fuchsbichler, M. Bilban, S. Tauber, H. Esterbauer, L. Kenner, V. Poli, L. Blaas, J. W. Kornfeld, E. Casanova, W. Mikulits, M. Trauner, and R. Eferl. 2010. Stat3 Protects from Liver Injury and Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of Sclerosing Cholangitis. Gastroenterology. 138:2499-508.

Musteanu, M., L. Blaas, M. Mair, M. Schlederer, M. Bilban, S. Tauber, H. Esterbauer, M. Mueller, E. Casanova, L. Kenner, V. Poli, and R. Eferl. 2010. Stat3 is a negative regulator of intestinal tumor progression in Apc(Min) mice. Gastroenterology 138:1003-1011.

Eferl, R., P. Hasselblatt, M. Rath, H. Popper, R. Zenz, V. Komnenovic, M. H. Idarraga, L. Kenner, and E. F. Wagner. 2008. Development of pulmonary fibrosis through a pathway involving the transcription factor Fra-2/AP-1. PNAS 105:10525-10530.