Mirek Dundr

Mirek Dundr, PhD, serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at Rosalind Franklin University's Chicago Medical School. He is actively affiliated with the Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology, and Infection Research, where his laboratory investigates fundamental mechanisms of nuclear organization.

Dr. Dundr's research centers on membraneless biomolecular condensates formed through liquid-liquid phase separation, with particular focus on Cajal bodies in cancer cells. His groundbreaking work demonstrates that these structures physically interact with multiple chromosomes to form specialized gene clusters absent in healthy cells, directly linking 3D genome architecture to cancer pathology. Using advanced spectral imaging and genomic techniques, his lab revealed how chromosome 1 reorganizes into rosette structures around Cajal bodies, and how depletion of these bodies disrupts RNA processing and gene activity. This research establishes nuclear compartmentalization as a critical factor in cancer cell function.

His publication record shows consistent high-impact output in journals including Nature Communications, Trends in Biochemical Sciences, and Cells, with recent work emphasizing phase separation principles in nuclear organization. Dr. Dundr's research program integrates molecular biology, advanced microscopy, and genomic approaches to address fundamental questions about nuclear architecture.

Prospective students in Dr. Dundr's lab gain expertise in cutting-edge techniques for studying nuclear dynamics, including deep imaging analysis, 4C-seq mapping, and molecular perturbation assays. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary training at the intersection of cell biology and biophysics, with opportunities for collaboration through the university's Center for Cancer Cell Biology. His research program continues to explore how phase-separated nuclear compartments regulate gene expression and contribute to disease mechanisms.