J. Cesar Cardenas
Ph.D. In Biomedical Science, Universidad de Chile.
I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Chile, where I studied the mechanism that regulated nuclear Ca2+ under Dr. Enrique Jaimovich’s mentoring. Then I moved to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School where I explored the nuclear localization 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) Ca2+channel by using high resolution electron microscopy and cryofracture as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Clara Franzini-Armstrong. Motivate in gain a better understanding of the physiological role of the InsP3R I joined Dr. Kevin Foskett’s lab also at UPENN, where I developed a strong interest in the regulation of cellular metabolism and bioenergetics by Ca2+. I was the first to show that basal constitutive low-level Ca2+ signaling by the InsP3R, is essential to maintain the sufficient mitochondrial NADH production to support oxidative phosphorylation in resting cells. In the absence of this calcium signaling, cells become metabolically compromised and a pro-survival AMPK-dependent mTOR-independent autophagy is turned on.
In 2019 I joined the Center of Integrative Biology at Universidad Mayor where we are exploring the role of mitochondrial-endoplasmic reticulum communication in cancer and aging .
Alenka Lovy
PhD in Plant Biology, University of Massachusetts Master in Plant Physiology, Washington State University BS in Biology, University of Massachusetts
Dr. Lovy received her Master’s in Plant Physiology studying Taxol biosynthesis with Dr. Rodney Croteau at Washington State University, Pullman, USA. USA In 1999. In 2006, she received his PhD in Plant Biology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA. Under the guidance of Dr. Peter Hepler, who inspired an important use of microscopy to study cellular ultrastructure using TEM and confocal microscopy to study the dynamics of actin and ions during the growth of pollen tubes. The she joined Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, USA, where in addition to managing the Tufts Imaging facility, she works with Dr. Orian Shirihai studying mitochondrial dynamics. This led to a collaboration with Dr. César Cárdenas, with whom he has been exploring mitochondrial dynamics as well as calcium signaling in the context of cancer. At present she is exploring mitochondrial dynamics, which is an essential factor of mitochondrial performance in aging. Mitochondrial abnormalities, characterized by a decline in mitochondrial function and the accumulation of damaged mitochondria, have been observed in various cell types and tissues from aged organisms. Alteration of mitochondrial dynamics in aging could explain the accumulation of mitochondrial damage and be viewed as a mechanism linking a loss of mitochondrial fitness with unhealthy aging. In fact, recent publications show that induction of mitochondrial fragmentation extends life span. Therefore, to know how mitochondrial dynamics are regulated in normal young mitochondria is fundamental to understand what happens in aged mitochondria. Current work is focused on understanding how commensal bacteria modify mitochondrial function in senescent cells. In vitro and in vivo experiments are underway and we expect that the results will shed light on the role of the microbiome and mitochondrial performance in the protection against aging, allowing the design of interventions.
Hernan Huerta
JAIN Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow
Biochemist from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile and PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Universidad de Chile. At present I’m studying the role of ketones in dysferlinopathy and soon I expect to publish my work in ketones, cellular senescence and it impact in cancer.
Eduardo Silva
ANID Postdoctoral Fellow
Biochemist of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Universidad de Chile. I study mechanisms of cell death in cancer and their relation with the metabolic state of the cell and the role of mitochondrial dynamics in tumor progression.
Ulises Ahumada Castro
ANID Postdoctoral Fellow
Medical Technologist and Ph.D. in Biomedical Science from the Universidad de Chile. My research focus in the cellular biology and metabolism of cancer and senescence cells, with particular emphasis in endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria organelle interactions. When I´m not discovering the aging or the cancer cure, I enjoy playing the guitar, music, beers, and knowledge in general.
Pablo Morgado
PhD student
Master in Biochemistry and Biochemist from the Universidad de Chile with vast knowledge in flow cytometry, microbiology and molecular biology techniques. At present he is a student in the Biochemist PhD program at Universidad de Chile and is interested in determine the role of mitochondrial dynamics in the establishment of cellular senescence.
Cesar Casanova
Ph.D Student
Phonoaudiologist from the Universidad de Chile, Master in University Pedagogy and Public Health from Universidad Mayor and Master in Craniocervical and Craniomandibular Physiopathology and Facial Pain from Universidad Andres Bello. At present is student in the Neurobiology Ph.D program at Universidad Mayor and is interested in senescence escape after chemotherapy in glioblastoma and the role of glutamine.
Andrea Puebla
Undergraduate student
Biochemistry student from Universidad de Chile. Her Thesis focus in determine the role of mitochondrial calcium uptake (MCU) complex in cellular senescence
Francisca Navarro
Undergraduate Student
Medical Technologist student from Universidad Mayor. Her Thesis focus in Dysferlinopathies and skeletal muscle function and regulation
Javiera Araus
Undergraduate Student
Medical Technologist student from Universidad Mayor. Her Thesis and interest are in the role of IP3R-mediate calcium release transfer to mitochondria in cancer migration.
Camila Quezada
Undergraduate student
Biotechnologist student from Universidad de Chile. Her Thesis focus in determine the senolitic potential of a molecules derivate from the InsP3R inhibitor Xestospongin B.
Elisa Arcos
Undergraduate student
Medical Technologist student from Universidad Mayor. Her Thesis focus in stress and senescence
Matias Kangme
Undergraduate Student
Highly motivated second year Biotechnology student with interest in the biology of Cancer
Reinaldo Figueroa
Adjunct Researcher
Medical Technologist from Universidad de Chile expert in histopathology
Catalina Gonzalez
Adjunct Researcher
Nutritionist from Universidad Mayor with interest in understand the mechanism and effects of cupper nanoparticles in dysferlinopathy.
Osman Diaz
Research Assistant
Biotechnologist from Universidad de Chile working on mitohormesis
