Internal Morphogenesis and Homeostasis
Our main scientific interest is the understanding of intestinal morphogenesis and cellular polarity during morphogenesis, homeostasis, and regeneration, as well as their implications in human diseases, such as cancer, inflammation and intestinal bowel diseases (IBD). Our research is based model systems such as organoids. Moreover, with this system, we are obtaining essential information about the molecular mechanisms that regulate epithelial morphogenesis. However, this model cannot reconstitute the complexity of the architecture given in vivo, which includes different cell types, dynamic remodeling, and tissue homeostasis. For this reason, the use of in vivo systems should serve to validate and better characterize the phenotypes observed in vitro. We used the zebrafish and mouse intestine as models systems to elucidate epithelial morphogenesis and intestinal homeostasis.
We are focused on the analysis of genes that regulate epithelial polarity during morphogenesis, and intestinal homeostasis, and particularly those controlling the following processes: Signaling, membrane trafficking, mechanical forces, and metabolic remodeling.
Group leader
Fernando Martín Belmonte
Principal Investigator
- Nuria Martínez Martín
Collaborating Staff
- Tatiana Alfonso Pérez
- Gonzalo Herranz Gómez
- Marta Iborra Pernichi
- Gabriel Baonza Martínez
- Tamara González Martínez
- María Velasco de la Esperanza
- Jonathan Ruiz García
- Diego Alonso Larre
- Alberto Sánchez de la Cruz
- Laura Akintche
- Carlos Quintana Quintana
- Belén Seco Estrada
- Elena Rodríguez Bovolenta
Principal Investigator
- Nuria Martínez Martín
Collaborating Staff
- Tatiana Alfonso Pérez
- Gonzalo Herranz Gómez
- Marta Iborra Pernichi
- Gabriel Baonza Martínez
- Tamara González Martínez
- María Velasco de la Esperanza
- Jonathan Ruiz García
- Diego Alonso Larre
- Alberto Sánchez de la Cruz
- Laura Akintche
- Carlos Quintana Quintana
- Belén Seco Estrada
- Elena Rodríguez Bovolenta
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
- Addressing the mechanical response of intestinal cells and mitotic spindle orientation to generate key information for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC).
- Analyzing the biochemical and biomechanical properties of epithelial organoids during intestinal development and addressing their impact on cancer development and progression, leveraging the "organ-on-a-chip" organoid model.
- Expanding knowledge about intestinal cells and their relationship with autophagy, cellular metabolism, and paracellular communication, which are essential for intestinal development and homeostasis, and related conditions such as CRC.
- Exploring the use of the high absorption capacity of endothelial fluids (ERFs) to facilitate the oral delivery of nanocarriers, providing new approaches to the administration of biologic drugs across biological barriers such as the intestinal tract. Characterization of the role of metabolism as a regulator of the activation and differentiation of B cells under normal physiological conditions, in order to then understand its role in pathology and identify new biomarkers of the disease and possible therapeutic targets.
RESEARCH LINES
- To characterize the role of lysosome-rich enterocytes (LREs) in early developmental stages, metabolism, and their effect on intestinal homeostasis.
- To develop a cell-based strategy for improving drug absorption in cancer treatment.
- To characterize the role of B-cell immunometabolism in the immune response.
- To characterize the role of smoothelin-like 2 (smtnl2) in cytoskeletal reorganization and carcinoma progression in intestinal tissues.
Location
Autonomous University of Madrid
Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CSIC-UAM) (lab 120)
Keywords
Cell polarity, epithelia, intestine, morphogenesis, organoids, protein trafficking, cancer