Modeling human diseases in C. elegans

Summary

We use the model organism Caernorhabditis elegans for modeling human diseases. Our group has investigated genes involved in RNA processing that are altered in rare diseases or cancer. Thanks to CRISPR technologies, we are moving towards personalized medicine by mimicking human mutations in C. elegans. Moreover, we are taking advantages of the C. elegans feasibility for CRISPR genome editing to develop more efficient and versatile methodologies to edit genetic loci.

34 Publications

Strategic lines

Selected Publications

Serrano,I;Luque,A;Ruiz Cerulla,A;Navas,S;Blom,AM;de Córdoba,SR;Fernández,FJ et al, C4BP(ß-)-mediated immunomodulation attenuates inflammation in DSS-induced murine colitis and in myeloid cells from IBD patients, Pharmacol. Res., 2023;197106948-106948, doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106948
Vicencio J, Sánchez Bolaños C, Moreno Sánchez I, Brena D, Vejnar CE, Kukhtar D, Ruiz López M, Cots Ponjoan M, Rubio A, Melero NR, Crespo Cuadrado J, Carolis C, Pérez Pulido AJ, Giráldez AJ, Kleinstiver BP, Cerón J, Moreno Mateos MA. Genome editing in animals with minimal PAM CRISPR-Cas9 enzymes. Nat. Commun. 2022;13(1):2601-2601. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-30228-4.
Martínez Fernández C, Bergamino M, Schiavi A, Brena D, Ventura N, Honnen S, Villanueva A, Nadal E, Cerón J. Insights into cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dis. Model. Mech. 2022;15(3):doi:10.1242/dmm.049161.
Jungtrakoon Thamtarana P, Marucci A, Pannone L, Bonnefond A, Pezzilli S, Biagini T, Buranasupkajorn P, Hastings T, Mendonca C, Marselli L, Di Paola R, Abubakar Z, Mercuri L, Alberico F, Flex E, Ceròn J, Porta Riva M, Ludovico O, Carella M, Martinelli S, Marchetti P, Mazza T, Froguel P, Trischitta V, Doria A, Prudente S. Gain of function of Malate Dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2) and familial hyperglycemia. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2022;107(3):668-684. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgab790.
Saura Esteller J, Sanchez Vera I, Nunez Vazquez S, Jabalquinto Carrasco J, Cosialls AM, Mendive Tapia L, Kukhtar D, Martinez Bueno MD, Lavilla R, Ceron J, Artal Sanz M, Pons G, Iglesias Serret D, Gil J. Fluorizoline-induced apoptosis requires prohibitins in nematodes and human cells. Apoptosis. 2021;26(1-2):83-95. doi:10.1007/s10495-020-01651-z.

Selected Projects

PID2023-146930NB-I00. DESARROLLO DE TECNOLOGÍAS CRISPR EN ANIMALES: implementando nucleasas Cas9 psicrofílicas. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Budget: 293.950€. 2025-2028. PI: CERON MADRIGAL, JULIAN.
PID2020-114986RB-I00. DEVELOPMENT OF CRISPR-CAS TECHNOLOGIES IN C. elegans TO INVESTIGATE HUMAN PATHOGENIC MUTATIONS AND OTHER GENE VARIANTS, AND TO CREATE RARE DISEASE MODELS. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Budget: 139.150€. 2021-2025. PI: CERON MADRIGAL, JULIAN.
INVESTIGO 2022. SERVICIO PUBLICO DE EMPLEO ESTATAL SEPE. Budget: 66.217,68€. 2022-2025. PI: CERON MADRIGAL, JULIAN.
CA21113. CA21113 – Genome Editing to Treat Humans Diseases (GenE-Humdi). COST ASSOCIATION. Budget: 4.000€. 2022-2026. PI: CERON MADRIGAL, JULIAN.