Faculty Profile

Michael Thirman
Section of Hematology / Oncology
Associate Professor of Medicine
mthirman@bsd.uchicago.edu
Referring Physician Access Line: 1-877-DOM-2730
Director, Leukemia Biology

Academic Interests

Dr. Thirman’s laboratory focuses on the role of MLL and ELL in the development of acute leukemia. In MLL-ELL associated leukemia, the normal protein-protein interactions of MLL and ELL are disrupted. Dr. Thirman’s laboratory has recently identified two novel proteins, named EAF1 and EAF2, which interact specifically with ELL. Using a bone marrow immortalization assay and a mouse leukemia model, they found that the interaction of EAF1 with ELL is essential to MLL-ELL induced leukemia. Using model systems, Dr. Thirman’s laboratory plans to analyze the pathways that mediate leukemogenesis and then to translate this knowledge into the development of novel treatment strategies.
 

Clinical Interests

Leukemia, lymphoma, myeloproliferative disorders, myelodysplastic syndromes
 

Publications

For a complete list of publications click here:

Training

  • BA, 1982, University of Michigan, Biomedical Science
  • MD, 1986, University of Michigan
  • Residency, 1989, University of Minnesota, Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship, 1994, The University of Chicago, Hematology/Oncology