PROFILE
In response to diverse stress stimuli, including nutrient restriction, infections or proteotoxicity, eukaryotic cells activate a common adaptive pathway, termed the integrated stress response (ISR), to restore cellular homeostasis. The core event in this pathway is the phosphorylation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2a) by one of four members of the eIF2a kinase family, which leads to a decrease in global protein synthesis and also the induction of selected genes that together promote cellular recovery. We are focused on understanding the contribution of this signaling pathway to neurodegenerative process and aging. Using in vivo and in vitro models, we study the consequences of targeting ISR components to open new therapeutic strategies for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
LAB MEMBERS
Research Head: Soledad Matus Montero
Undergraduate Students: Marcela Escandón Bernal • Álvaro Brito Arratia • Felipe Gómez Ibarra • Juan Francisco Roa
Research Assistants: Pamela Farfán González, Biochemist
Post-doctoral Fellows: Paulina Falcón Urrutia • Nicolás Martinez Alarcón
FORMER LAB MEMBERS
Luis Osorio. PhD Student. Universidad de Chile.
Carolina Jerez. Biochemist. Research Assistant.
Yamil Marambio. Biochemist. Research Assistant.
Natalia Muñoz. Chemistry Analyst. Research Assistant.
COLLABORATIONS
National Collaborations:
• Dr. Claudio Hetz. Universidad de Chile.
• Dr. Felipe Court. Universidad Mayor.
• Dr. Rene Vidal. Universidad Mayor.
• Dr. Patricio Olguín (Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile).
International Collaborations:
• Dr. Mauro Costa-Mattioli. Baylor University.
• Dr. Lionel Muller Igaz. Universidad de Buenos Aires
• Dr. Francisco Herrera. Trancura Biosciences.