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We are a group of scientists interested in understanding how epigenetic changes drive the nuclear deformability, migration and infiltration of leukaemia cells. We are part of the Department of Molecular Medicine at the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas. 

                                                                    RESEARCH BACKGROUND

Cell migration is central to numerous biological functions in embryogenesis, tissue renewal and immunity. Migration of a cell though tissues requires its interaction with its matrix environment, and recently it has become clear that cell plasticity is critical for this motility through narrow spaces. For that, the cell needs to alter the physical properties of the nucleus, as the major and most rigid organelle in the cell body. Most of these advances link the expression of nuclear components, such as lamins, with cell plasticity; however how epigenetic changes affect cell migration is poorly understood. Epigenetic changes control gene transcription and DNA homeostasis, and some of them have been linked to active migration and motility of certain cancer cells.

Lymphocytes, as the immune cells mediating the adaptative response, require fast migration and recycling to/from immune organs to affected tissues, integrin receptors play an essential role during cell migration.  Lymphocyte nuclei become remodeled under 2D shear flow conditions, and in a 3D environment when they traverse vessels and migrate through stroma. We hypothesise that both the composition and mechanical properties of the matrix influence migration via a control on cell nuclei. We therefore aim to test this hypothesis by determining how ECM composition and mechanics control nuclear organisation, and how nuclear composition and chromatin modification influence 3D migration. Our work will provide novel insights on how cell-matrix interactions control normal and tumor lymphocyte migration through tissues, which will impact on future treatments for human diseases and cancer.