ICREA Research Professor
I received my Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Salamanca in 1993. I then spent five years as a postdoctoral researcher in structural biology at the EMBL in Heidelberg in the group of Dr. Hartmut Oschkinat. In 1998, I started my independent research career at EMBL with a competitive Staff Scientist position. In 2002, I moved to IRB Barcelona as an ICREA Research Professor and have been a GL here since then.
In our laboratory, we aim to generate fundamental knowledge and develop innovative therapeutic strategies for diseases characterized by dysregulated TGF-β signaling. We employ a multidisciplinary approach that integrates structural biology techniques (NMR, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-EM) with biochemical and functional studies. Our research focuses on elucidating the intricate mechanisms that link cell signaling to gene expression, particularly in the context of TGF-β signaling, SMAD transcription factors, and their associated cofactors. We are investigating how alterations in these pathways, as observed in cancer and rare diseases such as Myhre syndrome, drive disease progression. By studying the molecular interactions within SMAD complexes, cofactors, and chromatin regions, we aim to identify the effects of disease-causing variants on protein structure and function, ultimately paving the way for the development of novel therapeutic targets and pharmacological treatments.
In addition, we are collaborating with gynecologic oncologists at the Hospital Sant Pau and other institutions to conduct translational research investigating the risk of recurrence and metastasis in gynecologic cancers. This research uses genomic and transcriptomic data from tumor samples, patient follow-up, and machine learning algorithms to develop novel diagnostic tools and improve patient care.
We are also committed to training the next generation of researchers in structural biology and drug discovery, providing a strong foundation for future advances in medical research.