Unidad de Inmunología Molecular

Currently, we have two active projects:

a) Antibody engineering for cancer immunotherapy

The identification of potential targets for the generation of therapeutic antibodies is in the focus of our research. We have wide experience in the field of antibody engineering, with a preference for innovative formats such as diabodies, BiTEs (bispecific T-cell engagers) and trimerbodies. The final aim of this project is the production of recombinant antibodies for cancer immunotherapy. We are currently developing a trivalent, trispecific molecule containing three small binding domains able to recognize simultaneously two different tumor-associated antigens and CD3 on T cells. Such a molecule will be able to redirect T cells to kill tumor cells, avoiding tumor escape due to the loss of the targeted antigen. 

b) Stroma/cancer cell crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment

Cancer growth and metastasis are regulated to a great extent by stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment. Recent findings show that the perivascular niche can promote the colorectal cancer stem cell phenotype, favouring their survival, tumorigenic potential and chemoresistance, therefore playing an important role in relapse after treatment. We are committed to use the pericyte as a tumor stromal cell model to study the complex molecular interactions taking place with colorectal cancer cells contributing to relapse and metastasis initiation and identify key molecules governing such interactions that could function as predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

The student will be assigned to the the antibody engineering project or the tumor microenvironment according with her/his preferences.