Translational Molecular Pathology

Our group aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis to identify new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets in cancer. By combining the knowledge and availability of human tumors in the Pathology department with the expertise of the basic molecular cell biology research group, we focus on:

Understanding: the molecular mechanisms underlying clonal cooperation and intercellular communication in heterogeneous tumors.
The role of MNK kinases in cellular stress resistance.
The role of ITGB3 in intercellular communication via extracellular vesicles in cancer metastasis (Santiago Ramon y Cajal).
The role of direct cell-cell communication via gap junctions and intercellular protrusions in cancer (Trond Aasen)
The malignant transition of Plexiform Neurofibromas (Cleofe Romagosa).

Research lines

Exercise capacity, peripheral muscle dysfunction and genotype in adults with cystic fibrosis.

To study the degree and types of skeletal muscle involvement in CF patients who present exercise intolerance and its relationship with the genotype.

To determine the relationship between the type and/or degree of skeletal muscle involvement by histologic and mitochondrial respiratory chain function study, and the CF genotype.

Correlation study between exercise capacity, pulmonary function and genotype.

IP: -

Exercise capacity, peripheral muscle dysfunction and genotype in adults with cystic fibrosis.

To study the degree and types of skeletal muscle involvement in CF patients who present exercise intolerance and its relationship with the genotype.

To determine the relationship between the type and/or degree of skeletal muscle involvement by histologic and mitochondrial respiratory chain function study, and the CF genotype.

Correlation study between exercise capacity, pulmonary function and genotype.

IP: -

Exercise capacity, peripheral muscle dysfunction and genotype in adults with cystic fibrosis.

To study the degree and types of skeletal muscle involvement in CF patients who present exercise intolerance and its relationship with the genotype.

To determine the relationship between the type and/or degree of skeletal muscle involvement by histologic and mitochondrial respiratory chain function study, and the CF genotype.

Correlation study between exercise capacity, pulmonary function and genotype.

IP: -

Mechanisms of cerebral aging: role of GSK3ß/cdk5 and sirtuins.

Aging may be considered as an accumulation of changes in cells and tissues that increases the risk of disease and death. The senescence-accelerated prone mice SAMP8 is an aging model with brain histopathological signs and other aging-related disorders, such as ß-amyloid and tau protein aggregates and increased oxidative stress. If hyperphosphorylated, tau protein contributes to the development of a tauopathy, process linked to neurodegenerative diseases of the aging brain such as Alzheimer disease. Several kinases (PKC, ERK, CDK5 or GSK3ß) perform this tau protein post-transcriptional modification. We plan to determine the effect that inhibitors of these kinases such as lithium, in vivo and in vitro, could have in slowing down the brain neurodegenerative processes. Besides, we will study the role of a newly described protein family, sirtuins.

Sirtuins are ontogenically preserved proteins related to longevity. We will evaluate the gene and protein expression of Sirt 1, 2 and 3 in cultured neurons and in the brain of this mouse strain. We seek to elucidate the participation of sirtuins in cerebral ageing using as a tools resveratrol, a flavonoid described as activator of these proteins, and caloric restriction, two paradigms that lead to an elongation of lifespan and neuroprotection in several animal models. In the in vitro studies, the role of GDNF in maintaining neuronal functionality and its correlation with sirtuins will be investigated because this trophic factor decreases with aging and shows a lesser expression in SAMP8 mice. These studies will contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies to prevent age-related neurodegeneratives diseases.

IP: -