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Research Areas

Long Non-Coding RNAs in Development and Signal Transduction


Classification of Gene Expression Signatures in the Context of Aging and Chronic Inflammation


A better understanding of how changes in the cellular microenvironment of certain tissues (e.g., thymus, gut) affect molecular and differentiation pathways in immune cells constitutes a predominant theme of our research program. Further research in this field will be instrumental to identify novel biomarkers in, among others, childhood hematologic malignancies or immune dysfunctions in late adulthood (chronic inflammation). For instance, aging significantly alters the pattern of blood cell production in the bone marrow and, in particular, is known to result in reduced lymphopoiesis and increased myelopoiesis. Although, how changes in the bone marrow microenvironment influence these events are not fully understood.

Host-Microbiome Interactions


In many relevant cases, signals from our microbiome constitute an additional layer of regulation in the establishment and maintenance of normal tissue homeostasis. This additional layer requires a conceptual shift from the activities described above: now the normal microenvironment (self) also interacts with its symbiotic gut microbiota (quasi-self) and possibly pathogens (non-self). A proper understanding of these interactions is instrumental to gain insights into the etiology of some complex diseases, with IBD being a paradigmatic example.

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8730 Alden Drive
Thalians, E215
Los Angeles, CA 90048