The study of transcription factors SCL and LYL1 in normal and malignant haematopoiesis

This thesis aims to investigate the role of transcription factors SCL and LYL1 in normal blood production and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL). Using genetically modified mouse models to delete each factor individually, we demonstrated functional compensation between Scl and Lyl1 in red cell and platelet production. On the other hand, we showed that loss of Lyl1 delayed growth of established T-ALL and prolonged survival of transplanted mice. Although results from this study suggest that LYL1 is important for proliferation of T-ALL, further investigation will be required to determine the therapeutic potential of targeting LYL1 in acute leukaemia.