Group leader: Ander Izeta, Ph.D.

Biodonostia HRI ander.izeta@biodonostia.org

Strategic Objectives

Our research is cross-cutting and multidisciplinary (in collaboration with healthcare researchers and scientists from other specialities), with the aim of enabling translational approximations based on cell biology and tissue engineering to clinical researchers in our environment. The research programme includes different lines related with adult trunk cell biology, tissue/3D bioprinting engineering, and regenerative medicine.

Main lines of research

• Expression levels of the Sox2 transcription factor and dysfunction of the trunk cells associated with ageing. The molecular study of ageing is one of the strategic cross-cutting areas of the Biodonostia HRI and our group is studying the effect of the premature ageing of trunk cells and its effect on the functions of SOX2GFP mouse strain tissues, in collaboration with other groups at the Institute.
• Trunk cells and terminally differentiated skin cells and their role in tissue homeostasis and in the healing of wounds. We are studying the role of cutaneous cells in healing wounds in mice and humans by means of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and positional transcriptome analysis.
• 3D bioprinting applied to problems of clinical interest. The group is working with the ENT Service of the Donostia University Hospital to develop nasal and tympanum grafts, with the Gynaecology Service of the DUH to develop lymphatic vessels and in-vitro tumour dissemination models, and with the Urology Service at the Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital in Malaga to develop musculoskeletal grafts for treating stress urinary incontinence. In addition, our group has developed and patented a new model of bioprinting with a sterile printing chamber in collaboration with other researchers.
• Neuromuscular junction. We work on the detailed anatomical description of the neuromuscular junction, its interaction with the muscular microenvironment, and the study of its degeneration associated to ageing.