Reflecting on 25 years with MYC

MYC is an iconic oncogene that has been at the forefront of cancer research since its discovery. Looking back over the history of MYC research provides us with a framework with which to progress in the next 25 years, as outlined in this Timeline. Just over 25 years ago, MYC , the human homologue of a retroviral oncogene, was identified. Since that time, MYC research has been intense and the advances impressive. On reflection, it is astonishing how each incremental insight into MYC regulation and function has also had an impact on numerous biological disciplines, including our understanding of molecular oncogenesis in general. Here we chronicle the major advances in our understanding of MYC biology, and peer into the future of MYC research.