The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology hosts 14 independent research groups working in two broad, closely interwoven research areas, with the goal of identifying specific therapeutic targets for use in disease prevention and control. The first area focuses on dissecting viral replication mechanisms and on structural studies of key viral proteins, as well as virus-host interactions for important human and veterinary pathogens. The identification of virus and cell elements with key roles in virus replication is essential for the rational design and implementation of new strategies for disease control. Understanding the mechanisms that allow a virus to evade or counteract innate and adaptive host immune responses will allow generation of innovative vaccination strategies and virus-based vaccine vectors. The second area centres on the networks that control mammalian gene expression and on characterizing specific genes with critical roles in normal and pathological processes. The aim of this research programme is to identify and exploit molecular targets for diagnostics and therapy. In addition to generating leading edge research, studies in our department help to provide essential scientific background for the development of new biotechnological tools.
Head of Department: Dolores Rodríguez
OUR RESEARCH GROUPS:
Replication, virus-host interactions, and protection in coronavirus. Luis Enjuanes and Isabel Sola
Poxvirus and vaccines. Mariano Esteban
Virus-host interactions in hepatitis B virus infection. Urtzi Garaigorta
Hepatitis C viral infection. Pablo Gastaminza
Biological noise. Francisco J. Iborra and Fernando Almazán
Animal models by genetic manipulation. Lluís Montoliu
Functional analysis of the transcriptional repressor DREAM. José Ramón Naranjo
Cerebral cortical development. Marta Nieto
Mechanisms of interaction between the influenza virus and the infected cell. Amelia Nieto
Molecular characterisation and epidemiology of torovirus. Dolores Rodríguez
Molecular biology of birnavirus. José F. Rodríguez
Embryonic development and differentiation in vertebrates. Juan José Sanz-Ezquerro
Cellular immunobiology and microbiology. Esteban Veiga Chacón