Prof. Marvin Tanenbaum

Research Theme(s): 

Biography

Marvin Tanenbaum is group leader at the Hubrecht Institute, Investigator at Oncode Institute and professor in the department of Bionanoscience at the TU Delft. He received his PhD in 2010 Cum Laude from Utrecht University for his work on cell division in the group of Prof. René Medema. After his PhD, he was a postdoc in the group of Prof. Ron Vale at UCSF (2011-2015), where he developed a keen interest in the mechanisms and dynamics of gene expression control. He pioneered several new techniques, including the SunTag system, and contributed to the development of CRISPR activation (CRISPRa), a method to increase expression of endogenous genes. In 2015, he became a group leader at the Hubrecht Institute in the Netherlands. He has received several important grants, including an ERC Starting grant (2015), a VIDI (2018) and an ERC Consolidator (2022). In 2017 Marvin was selected as a HHMI International Research Scholar and was also selected as a junior investigator for the cancer research institute Oncode, which aims to translate basic science findings to clinical use in cancer therapy. In 2019, he was selected as an EMBO young investigator (EMBO YIP) and was promoted to senior group leader at the Hubrecht Institute. In 2022, he was promoted to senior Investigator at Oncode, became full professor at the department of Bionanoscience at the TU Delft and was elected as an EMBO member. 

The Tanenbaum group studies the molecular mechanisms of gene expression control at the single-molecule level, both for humans and in viruses, and aims to understand how control of gene expression affects important cellular decisions. The research group uses both experimental approaches (mostly advanced fluorescence imaging) and computational approaches. They have also developed several new imaging technologies, including the ultra-bright SunTag fluorescence imaging system. They are using the SunTag system to visualize and quantify regulation of single mRNA molecules in living cells to study the dynamics and regulation of each individual mRNA in time and space. Adaptation of the SunTag imaging system to RNA viruses has enabled live observation of viral infection and gene expression regulation, which is uncovering exciting new mechanisms in viral infection and host response to replicating viruses. In addition to his research activities, Marvin has also established and co-led a consortium to develop and implement new technology for SARS-CoV2 diagnostics in the Netherlands during the pandemic, for which the team was award the Prix Gallien. He also leads a new initiative at the Hubrecht Institute, the Hubrecht Talent Program (HTP), that aims to support minority students in science (see https://www.hubrecht.eu/about-us/hubrecht-talent-program/).

For further information on our research and for available projects for students, see our lab website: https://www.hubrecht.eu/research-groups/tanenbaum-group/