Our mission is to elucidate fundamental mechanisms that control the elongation phase of transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in normal and disease states. We are particularly interested in essential cyclin-dependent kinases which trigger Pol II release from promoter-proximal pausing and facilitate productive Pol II elongation along genes. Along our journey, we shall reveal basic principles of gene regulation. We aim to exploit the new knowledge to help devise novel treatments of many diseases that stem from misregulated gene transcription programs.