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.

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.

• 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

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.

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.