2023-Present – Staff Scientist in the Malhotra’s lab, CRG
2018-2023 – Ramon y Cajal fellow, CRG
2011-2017 – Senior Researcher, CRG
2007-2010 – Researcher (University of Leeds, UK)
2003-2006 –  PhD in Cell Biology (University of Leeds, UK)

Summary

Lipoprotein particles (LPs) are the carriers that transport triglycerides and cholesterol through the bloodstream, a critical function for maintaining cellular and systemic lipid homeostasis. Hepatocytes in the liver play a pivotal role in the synthesis, assembly, and secretion of LPs, ensuring lipid homeostasis and preventing lipid accumulation in the liver (steatosis) and bloodstream (hyperlipidemia). In conditions such as Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) or Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ASCVD, these processes become dysregulated, leading to lipid imbalances and contributing to disease progression.

Despite the fundamental and translational significance of this process, our understanding of lipoprotein particle (LP) metabolism at the cellular and molecular level is still limited, with several key questions unresolved. This is primarily due to the complexity of studying protein-lipids complexes in vivo and to the challenging nature of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), the main protein component of LPs.

To overcome these limitations, we employ gene-editing tools, live-cell imaging and biochemical assays to investigate the production, lipidation, intracellular trafficking and degradation of LPs. This approach allows us to capture the dynamic behavior of LPs in living cells and understand the regulation of their quantity and quality in response to physiological changes. These insights will enable us to identify novel strategies to modulate LP metabolism and pave the way for innovative therapeutic interventions for lipid disorders.