103 genes con alteraciones que causan enfermedades hereditarias también aumentan el riesgo de cáncer 26.01.2024

Se conoce un centenar de los llamados genes de predisposición al cáncer (CPGs, por sus siglas en inglés). La probabilidad de desarrollar un cáncer es mayor en quien hereda determinadas variantes alteradas de alguno de esos genes. “Pero esos cien genes solo explican un 10% de los casos de cáncer. La gran mayoría de los […]

Circulation Research: APOE genetic variants linked to Alzheimer disease are also associated with the development of subclinical aterosclerosis 24.01.2024

Scientists at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid have found that one of the most potent genetic risk factors for Alzheimer disease, apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), is also associated with an increased risk of developing subclinical atherosclerosis in middle age. The study also demonstrates protection against subclinical atherosclerosis in people carrying the variant APOE2, […]

Science Advances: First therapeutic target for preserving heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension 20.01.2024

A team led by Dr. Guadalupe Sabio at the CCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares ( (CNIC) in Madrid has discovered a possible therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension.The study, published in the journal Science Advances’, identifies the first therapeutic target that can be modulated to preserve cardiac function in pulmonary hypertension, providing hope in the fight […]

Don´t miss the new videos showcasing research at the CNIC 18.01.2024

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and the exponential increase in the cost of its treatment poses a burden that is hardly sustainable for patients, families, and healthcare systems. In the face of this challenge, the CNIC has decided to address three objectives:Understand cardiovascular health.Improve the prevention of cardiovascular disease.Make advances in […]

EMBO Molecular Medicine: Accumulation of the protein versican is the cause of aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome 04.01.2024

A team of Spanish scientists has identified the cause of aortic aneurysm in patients diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder currently lacking treatment options. The study, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, was conducted by researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), an affiliate center of the Carlos III Health Institute […]

Juan Pedro Bolaños: “We often think we have a God-given understanding of how to do certain things” 03.01.2024

Juan Pedro Bolaños is a biochemist and researcher in neuroscience specialised in neuroenergetics and metabolism. He is Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Salamanca. His research focusses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate metabolism and redox homeostasis in cells of the central nervous system. Specifically, he studies the proteins and […]

Roser Vento-Tormo: “Working in academic science is a privilege, as it allows us to develop our creative side” 29.12.2023

Dr. Roser Vento-Tormo runs her laboratory at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge (United Kingdom). Her research focusses on the adaptation of immune cells in tissues and their function in steady state and inflammation. Her team uses genomics, spatial transcriptomics and bioinformatics tools to reconstruct the microenvironment that will shape immune cell identity and function.Vento-Tormo completed her […]

Carla Rothlin: “Research is an intellectual challenge that you can take up throughout your life” 20.12.2023

Dra. Carla Rothlin’s research focusses on the mechanisms underlying inflammation regulation and homoeostatic control of immunological function. Her laboratory has been able to identify the function of TAM receptor tyrosine kinases in negative regulation of immune response and resolution of inflammation. Her contributions to this field have received the recognition of various institutions such as […]

Mark Febbraio: “It will never be possible to get all the benefits of exercise in one pill” 15.12.2023

Mark Febbraio’s team focuses on identifying genes, proteins and pathways that are important in metabolic diseases and in certain types of cancer related with obesity, in order to develop therapies that activate or block the pathway of interest. Currently some candidate drugs are already being researched.Mark Febbraio is also CSO of N-Gene Research Laboratories Inc, […]

Circulation Research: CNIC scientists identify the molecular mechanisms controlling the genes involved in proper formation of the heart valves 12.12.2023

A team of researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid has identified the molecular mechanisms that control the activity of genes involved in both the correct formation of the heart valves and the prevention of their subsequent calcification.The findings, published in the journal Circulation Research, not only highlight the pathways through […]

Ana Maiques: “El emprendimiento no es una vocación, sino una decisión que implica un riesgo”

Entre los mensajes de Maiques, la importancia de perseverar: “cuando persigues tus sueños el camino es muy difícil. No va en línea recta. Encuentras fracasos, decepciones y equivocaciones…”.  Maiques estudió Económicas y empezó a trabajar en una empresa aeroespacial en Bruselas. Cuando esta entró en bancarrota, ella y su esposo, Giulio Ruffini, matemático y físico, […]

La hora de comer sí importa. El descubridor del primer gen del reloj biológico en mamíferos relaciona los biorritmos con la longevidad 05.12.2023

El reloj biológico humano está controlado por una decena de genes. Juntos conforman un mecanismo molecular importante para la evolución, algo que se sabe porque seres muy diversos – moscas, gusanos u hongos- tienen uno muy parecido. El neurobiólogo Joseph Takahashi ha dedicado décadas a descifrar el funcionamiento del reloj biológico y su papel en […]