Oncology
Translational Molecular Pathology
Santiago Ramón y Cajal Agüeras
Principal investigators Trond Aasen, Cleofé Romagosa Pérex-Portabell | Researchers
Margarita Alberola Ferranti, Josep Castellví Vives, Mª Carme Dinarès Fernández, Joan Carles Ferreres Piñas, Javier Hernández Losa, Carmela Iglesias Felip, Stefania Landolfi, Ana Martín Pardillos, Elena Antima martinez Saez, Maria José Muñoz Guijarro, Vicente Peg Camara, Maria Teresa Salcedo Allende, Irene Sansano Valero, Marta Sese Faustino | Researchers in training Pedro Fuentes Varela | Nursing, technical and administrative staff Laura Fernández Cabré, Alejandra Fernández Martín, Pedro Jesus Guijarro Carrillo, Teresa Moline Marimon, Maria Eugenia Semidey Raven, Maria Rosa Somoza Lopez de Haro
Summary
The group of Translational Molecular Pathology is interested in identifying new factors that confer resistance to cellular stress in tumor cells, factors that may be inhibited and become novel therapeutic targets. In this context, we focused on the association between the phosphorylated form of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF4E) and cellular resistance. We have recently published that p-eIF4E confers resistance to nutrient deprivation, oxidative stress and cisplatin treatment. Moreover, we have been working on the design and production of new and more potent MNK1/2 inhibitors as novel therapeutic in collaboration with Group d’Enginyeria Molecular in IQS. Other studies are focused on the identification and validation of new factors upregulated after hypoxia and other metabolic inhibitors, by RNA-Seq approach. The validation of these factors is ongoing. On the other hand, we have analyzed the function of YB-1 in breast cancer and discovered a novel interplay between YB-1 and IL-6 regulating EMT and metastasis, which also have been published in 2015. The group is also interested in the role and regulation of gap junctions in cancer and disease, with special emphasis in the study of the mechanisms which regulate the protein synthesis of the several isoforms.