Cellular and molecular mechanisms implicated in salmonid immune response and disease resistance Development of new tools and methods for the study of salmonid immune response Identification of immune cell subtypes and their functional activity Identification of new immunostimulant compounds and development of adjuvants Mechanisms of antiviral immunity.
Immune response against Neisseria gonorrhoeae Local immune response Immune evasion mechanisms
Our research is focused on the elucidation of the molecular elements involved in adaptation of microorganisms to environmental changes. We are especially interested in characterization of the oxidative stress response of acidophilic bioleaching bacteria used in the recovery of metals from sulfide ores. These microorganisms are a suitable model to study this response because of they are exposed to very highly oxidative conditions such as very acid pH and extremely high metal concentration.
Línea(s) de investigación:
Ecofisiología bacteriana, estrés oxidativo en bacterias biolixiviantes, extremófilos. Biotecnología.
Jerarquía:
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación:
Doctor (Ph.D) en Cs. Biológicas mención Microbiología. Universidad de Chile, 2003
Injury of sensory axons at peripheral nerves endings produces functional changes in the damaged neurons. These changes include an abnormal firing of nerve impulses, both spontaneous and evoked, causing anomalous sensations like dysesthesias and neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is to a large extent refractory to treatments with traditional analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Unlike inflammatory pain, many of the molecular determinants associated with the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain are still poorly understood. Cold allodynia (pain caused by a stimulus of innocuous cold) and hyperalgesia to cold (increased sensitivity to a potentially painful cold stimulus) are two common forms of peripheral neuropathic pain. Thermosensitive TRP (Transient Receptor Potential) channels and several K channels have been proposed to be involved in this phenomenon. The main goal of our research is to determine the cellular and molecular bases underlying the altered transduction of thermal stimuli in damaged primary sensory neurons, and to clarify the role of these thermosensitive ion channels in the biophysical modifications occurring in nociceptors and thermoreceptor neurons following injury.
Línea(s) de investigación:
Fisiología Sensorial y Nocicepción
Jerarquía:
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación:
Doctor en Ciencias con mención en Biología Celular, Molecular y Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, 2001
Licenciado en Ciencias, con mención en Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, 1993
Physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in acclimation and tolerance to copper excess in the marine alga Ulva compressa (Chlorophyta)
Physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in the stimulation of growth and defense against pathogens induced by marine alga oligo-carrageenans in terrestrial plants
Línea(s) de investigación:
Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Algas Marinas
Jerarquía:
Titular
Grados académicos /educación:
Doctor en Ciencias, Universidad de Paris XI, 1989
Bioquímico, Universidad de Concepción, 1984
Email:
margarita.montoya@usach.cl
Teléfono:
27 181 086
Research
Our main interest is the metabolic status associated to cancer formation and progression. We have a particular interest in mitochondria and its participation in the generation of a metastatic phenotype. In this respect, we are investigating contribution of endogenous metabolites (i.e. lactate) to cancer progression and mitochondrial redox status.
Línea(s) de investigación:
Biología celular del cáncer
Jerarquía:
Instructor
Grados académicos /educación:
Doctor en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, 2005
Bioquímica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, 1998
Our work is focused on plastic modifications of neuronal circuits in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and visual cortex using sensory experiments, cognitive processes and natural and artificial neuromodulators. Long Term Potentiation (LTP) and Long Term Depression (LTD) are used as models to understand synaptic modifications underlying higher cognitive phenomena such as learning and memory.
Línea(s) de investigación:
Memoria y Aprendizaje
Jerarquía:
Titular
Grados académicos /educación:
Doctor en Ciencias, mención Biología Molecular, Celular y Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile,
Our research is involved to study the physiology of the female genital tract at cellular and molecular level. We are mainly focused to elucidate the genomic and non-genomic signaling pathways of estradiol or 2-methoxyestradiol that regulate reproductive events associated with egg transport, sperm migration or embryo development. Our aim is to find new molecular markers of estrogens to design new therapies that discriminate between genomic and non-genomic effects of estradiol and its metabolites.
Línea(s) de investigación:
Fisiología Reproductiva
Jerarquía:
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación:
Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, 2002
Biólogo, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú, 1992
Email:
claudia.ortiz@usach.cl
Teléfono:
27 181 110
Research
Our main interest is to study the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of tolerance and adaptation to metal stress in plants. We use this information for biotechnological applications, to clean heavy metals polluted soil and water through phytoremediation. In the short term we will be able to have a stock of resistant plants suitable for phytoremediation purposes.
Línea(s) de investigación:
Bioquímica Vegetal y Fitorremediación
Jerarquía:
Asociada
Grados académicos /educación:
Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Chile, 1997
Bioquímico, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, 1987
Email:
patricio.rojas.m@usach.cl
Teléfono:
27 181 108
Research
Ion channels are membrane proteins involved in ion transport across cellular membranes, controlling and maintaining the voltage gradient across the cell membrane. My research interest is in understanding how the biophysical properties of ion channels in different neuronal compartments can shape the patterns of action potentials and modulate neuronal excitability.
Jerarquía:
Asistente
Grados académicos /educación:
Doctor en Ciencias con mención en Biología Celular, Molecular y Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Chile, 2005
Licenciado en Ciencias con mención en Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Chile, 1996
Email:
ana.sandino@usach.cl
Teléfono:
27 181 113
Research
Research is oriented to:
Isolation and detection of virus from fish tissues.
Development of viral diagnosis method, such as: cellular culture, electrophoresis, PCR, etc.
Effect of antiviral compounds on viral replication, in vitro and in vivo assays.
Study of the viral cycle: transcription, replication, translation and morphogenesis, either in cell culture of in vitro system..
Línea(s) de investigación:
Biología molecular y celular
Jerarquía:
Titular
Grados académicos /educación:
Doctor en Ciencias con Mención en Biología, Universidad de Chile, 1990