Study of mechanisms and genes involved in anti-tumour protection in mammals, with a special focus on cellular senescence.

Characterization of the development, composition and function of the renal filtration system and its pathological anomalies using animal models (Drosophila and zebra fish).

Mechanisms of infected cell recognition and in vivo control of viral infections by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and use in vaccine development.

Our research focuses on the role of TCFL5, a bHLH transcription factor, in colon cancer cells. Deletion of TCFL5 significantly reduces tumor properties. Two major isoforms, TCFL5_E1/E8 and TCFL5_E2b/E8, have distinct functions. TCFL5_E1/E8 regulates anti-apoptotic genes like BCL2, while TCFL5_E2b/E8 controls pluripotency markers. We identified genes regulated by these isoforms and their roles in leukemia and lymphopoiesis. TCFL5_E2b/E8 is associated with severity in lymphoma and myeloma. Tcfl5 deficiency impairs germinal center formation and B cell differentiation.

There are many evidences for the involvement of lipid mediators such as prostanoids and cholesterol derivatives in the modulation of inflammatory and cardiovascular pathophysiology. Prostanoids have important roles in physiological processes such as renal and vascular homeostasis, as well as having a central role in the inflammatory process.

The kinase GRK2 as a central node in cell signaling networks. Study of its interactome and implications in cardiovascular, inflammatory, diabetes/obesity, or tumor progression pathologies.

Plant oxylipins are a class of lipid signals involved in regulating plant development and immunity. Recent studies demonstrate the importance of the 9-LOX and alpha-DOX oxylipin pathways in the defence mechanisms activated by Arabidopsis following infection by hemibiotrophic bacteria in which these oxylipin pathways participate in the three layers of defence -pre-invasion, apoplastic and systemic defence- triggered by plants to prevent Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 infection.