Full Professor
He obtained his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil (UNIFESP). Later he completed a Postdoctorate at the institution and a second Postdoc in Genomics at Virginia Commonwealth University, United States. Later, he returned to Chile where he founded, the first Genomics Center in Chile at Universidad Mayor. At this center, he began applying systems biology approaches to study neurodegenerative diseases. At the Center for Integrative Biology (CIB) he uses network theory to identify new therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
PUBLICATIONS
2015-pres
RESEARCH LINES
Headed jointly by Dr. Patricio Manque and myself combines systems biology with molecular biology, biochemistry, cellular and animal studies to understand mechanisms of human disease. We apply network-based approaches to build disease-specific networks allowing us to identify new genes, pathways, subnetworks responsible for the molecular pathology of a disease. To achieve this, we collect large data sets (RNAseq, CNV, HUGE, Proteomics) and combine them with a diverse set of bioinformatic tools, e.g. convergent analysis. This approach permits us, (i) to identify topological changes in the overall structure of the network, (ii) to unravel new genes or new interactions associated with a disease, and (iii) to detect potential master regulators in the disease specific networks. Once we bioinformatically identified a candidate gene we investigate its role during disease with a broad set of experimental tools. Our current focus is the characterization of novel genes inserted in the diseasosome of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, by using OMICs approach our lab is focused in understanding the role of intestinal microbiome in neurodegenerative diseases.
PROJECTS
Active
2021-2025 FONDECYT Regular 1210507 (Co-Investigador)
Completed
2015-2019 FONDECYT Regular 1150743 (Co-Investigador)
2015-2019 FONDECYT Regular 1151393 (Co-Investigador)
2014-2017 USA/Chile grant USA-2013-0041 (Investigador responsable)
2012-2016 FONDECYT Regular 1131038 (Co-Investigador)
2012-2015 Anillo ACT1109 (Investigador responsable)
TEAM
Fernanda Hernandez Berrios Lab Manager Bachelor in Biotechnology Engineering from Universidad Andres Bello, Chile. In charge of general lab management and organization, in addition to molecular biology of the laboratory. |
Cristian Bergmann Ph.D. student Bachelor in Medical Technology from Universidad Mayor, Chile. Studying the role of RUBCNL in the immunomodulatory potential of mesenchymal stem cells. |
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NETWORK
National
Felipe Court, Center for Integrative Biology, Universidad Mayor, Chile
Marcelo Garrido, Center for Precision Oncology, Universidad Mayor, Chile
Ignacio Retamal, Center for Precision Oncology, Universidad Mayor, Chile
International
Mathieu Bertrand, Inflammation Research Center, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Gregory Buck, Center for Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA