Molecular genetics, genomics, transcriptomics and cell biology of thyroid cancer genesis, maintenance and progression, with especial emphasis on translation of multilevel genomic data obtained in the field of tumor dedifferentiation, invasion / metastases and therapy resistance. Identification of new molecular targets and diagnostic - prognostic - therapeutic algorithms, that may help clinicians on patient surveillance and mangement.

We are an interdisciplinary research group combining biophysical, cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology methodologies. Two are our main research focuses: from one side, we are interested in the study of the molecular mechanisms that underlie protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions, using as model system bacterial toxins, in particular, the adenylate cyclase toxin, which are essential virulence factors produced by different bacterial pathogens (e.g. Bordetella pertussis, Escherichia coli, ...).

Our objective is to determine the molecular mechanism by which membrane glycoproteins of some viruses (HIV, Ebola) induce the fusion of the cell and viral membranes. Prediction tools have been developed to detect the domains that are inserted into the target membrane. In parallel, we are studying the mechanism of cell membrane permeabilisation, induced by certain viral products (viroporins) during infection (this work on viroporins is in collaboration with L. Carrasco, CBM, Madrid).

Among ionic channels, those that are potassium selective are, by far, the most diverse group. They play a key role in processes such as immune response, cell differentiation, excitability and cell death, among others. More than 60 genes for potassium channels are known in the human genome, which together with the fact that up to four different subunits can combine to form a channel, means that there are a large numbers of variants.

Morphological flexibility of cell membranes provides the foundation for the spatial organization of living cells. The signature morphologies of cellular endomembrane systems are created at the nanoscale where specialized proteolipid complexes assemble to control membrane curvature, shape and topology.

Living systems host a crowd of molecular chaperones that act with different mechanisms and serve to maintain protein homeostasis. Our group studies nuclear and cytosolic chaperones. Among the cytosolic chaperones we are interested in members of the Hsp60, Hsp70 and Hsp100 families.

Our research activity is focused on computational and mathematical analysis of biological systems at their various levels of organization, from molecular properties to cell behaviour and the role these play in the cell population dynamics. The main objective is to deepen our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and to use this information for the controlling and designing cellular processes.

The research interest of the group is focused in the study of cardiovascular disease, metabolism, atherosclerosis, atherothrombosis and the ischemic syndromes. 1. Basic Science . LRP family proteins in chronic diseases. . Molecular determinants of cardiovascular disease in obesity. . Identification and characterization of transcription factors and genetic targets. Role of HDL and LDL. . Vascular impact of ischemia and angiogenesis in heart disease. Cell therapy. 2. Translational Research in Collaboration with Clinical Groups . Familial hypercholesterolemia and its impact. .

Study of the pathophysiological role of LRP1 in the cardiovascular system. Molecular mechanisms involved in the modulation of LRP1 expression and function by risk factors in the cardiovascular system

The major research activity of this group addresses the study of the vascular biology as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and cardiac remodeling. The group analyzes the role of the NR4A subfamily of nuclear receptors, in particular NOR-1 (NR4A3), in those pathologies by using multidisciplinary and highly translational approaches.