Dissertation topics suggested by the teacher.
Research line 1: Novel molecular strategies for cardiac regeneration
Heart dysfunction as a consequence of severe damages, such those induced by myocardial infarction, is a crucial public health problem and a leading cause of death in the western world today.
The aim of the studies carried out by our research group is to identify novel strategies for heart regeneration following severe damages, by direct stimulation of cell dedifferentiation, cell cycle re-entry and proliferation of endogenous cardiac muscle cells (cardiomyocytes).
This project involves the evaluation of differentiation status and proliferation of cardiomyocytes following the administration of specific stimuli (hormones, cytokines, growth factors...) or gene manipulation, and the analysis of the downstream molecular mechanisms.
Research Line 2: Novel strategies to inhibit breast cancer progression and dissemination
These past decades have witnessed the impressive advances in the comprehension of the role of growth factor receptors of ErbB family (EGFR/ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4) in development and progression of a variety of solid cancers.
The aim of the studies carried out by our research group is to elucidate the role of ERBB ligands and receptors in the regulation of breast cancer cell differentiation, along with the impact on tumor dissemination and metastasis formation.
This project will use a combination of molecular-, cell- and systems-biology methodologies in cellular models in vitro and in vivo.
Recent dissertations supervised by the teacher.
Second cycle degree programmes dissertations
- Analysis of the modulation of estrogen receptors on postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferative ability
- Characterization of heparin-starpeg hydrogel for bioprinting kidney cells
- Crosstalk between glucocorticoids and Neuregulin 1 in anthracyclines-induced cardiotoxicity
- Exploring combinatorial cardiac regenerative strategies based on small molecule inhibitors
- Exploring estradiol as a potential strategy to mend broken hearts: role and molecular mechanism in neonatal cardiomyocyte proliferation.
- Investigating maturational mechanisms of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in 3-dimensional culture
- The impact of glucocorticoids on cardiomyocyte proliferation driven by growth factors
- The impact of high doses of EGF on ERBB2-mediated phenotypes in breast cancer cells
- The role of EGFR and ERBB2 receptors in response to different doses of EGF in quasi-normal breast cancer cells
- The role of ERBB2 in EGF-deprived quasi-normal breast cancer cells
PhD programmes thesis
- Directed cardiogenesis: new molecular strategies to promote cardiac regeneration
