Cells are capable of dynamically adjusting their functions in response to internal and external cues. One of the key mechanisms underlying this adaptability is transcriptional regulation, which determines which genes are expressed in a given cell type and microenvironment. The research group led by Dr. Lajos Széles focuses on understanding transcriptional regulation using global functional genomic approaches, such as ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, and ATAC-seq. These methods are used to map transcription factor and cofactor binding sites, histone modifications, gene expression changes, and chromatin accessibility.

The resulting datasets are integrated with bioinformatic analyses and machine learning approaches to identify regulatory patterns and predictive features. Experimental systems include cell lines as well as ex vivo and primary human and mouse immune cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and other immune cell types.

The group investigates key transcription factors, including nuclear hormone receptors (such as VDR, RAR, RXR, and ER), interferon regulatory factors (IRFs), and other central regulators of antiviral and inflammatory responses, including members of the STAT, NF-κB, and AP-1 families.