Luca Busino

Luca Busino is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cancer Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in cancer biology, particularly its role in cell proliferation and tumor maintenance. He is affiliated with graduate groups in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, and Cell and Molecular Biology.

• Education:
  • B.S. in Medical Biotechnology, Università di Napoli Federico II (1999)
  • M.S. in Medical Biotechnology, Università di Napoli Federico II (2001)
  • Ph.D. in Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (2008)

Busino’s laboratory investigates (i) signaling pathways such as the cell division cycle, DNA damage response, circadian clock, and NF-κB signaling, and (ii) the development of small molecules targeting ubiquitin ligases. His work has implications for hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma and lymphomas, where UPS dysregulation is critical. Recent publications highlight discoveries in ubiquitin ligase mechanisms, cohesin dynamics in leukemia, and novel drug-binding assays.

The lab’s research bridges functional proteomics and high-throughput screening to identify therapeutic targets, with a focus on overcoming resistance to UPS-directed therapies like thalidomide and bortezomib.