Molecular Bases of Inflammatory Processes in Pathological Condition

This research line encompasses studies in inflammation with a focus on cellular dynamics, employing techniques from molecular and cellular biology, immunology, biochemistry, pharmacology, nanotechnology, proteomics, and transcriptomics. Multidisciplinary research groups are engaged in identifying biomarkers related to genetic and epigenetic risk factors that affect the functional behavior of the immune system, crucial for understanding and better managing various inflammatory diseases. This line also addresses diseases from bench to bedside, illustrating how translational research advances knowledge in the service of human health. It includes researchers from the Program who investigate inflammatory responses in the context of (I) sepsis, (II) malaria, (III) neglected diseases, (IV) viral diseases, (V) metabolic diseases, (VI) neurodegenerative diseases, (VII) autoimmune diseases, (VIII) neuropsychiatric disorders, and (IX) allergic conditions, as well as (X) the impact of obesity, diabetes, and dysbiosis on many of these inflammatory diseases at the cellular level. Over time, this line has contributed to the identification of potential biological targets and the design of new drugs or repurposing of existing ones, which may be nanoengineered with specific immunomodulatory mechanisms and reduced risk of adverse effects. Additionally, research in this line has demonstrated that the use of experimental models to study this broad group of diseases aids in a better understanding of the molecular and cellular bases of pathophysiology and, consequently, in the design of clinical studies to identify predictive biomarkers for disease progression or therapeutic response.

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