Lipidomics in Cell and Membrane Biology lab
The Lipidomics in Cell and Membrane Biology laboratory investigates how the lipid composition and the physical state of cellular membranes control protein trafficking, organelle function and cell fate. We are particularly interested in sphingolipids, in how membrane biophysical properties are remodelled during cellular senescence, and in how these changes affect the secretory pathway. By combining quantitative lipidomics, membrane biophysics, advanced fluorescence microscopy and cell biology in both model membranes and living cells, we aim to establish causal links between lipid composition, membrane physical state and cellular function in health and disease. Personal webpage: njimenezrojo-group.com
Main research lines
1- Sphingolipids and collagen secretion during cellular senescence. Senescent cells undergo a profound remodelling of their lipidome and secrete large amounts of extracellular matrix components. We study how sphingolipid metabolism and the fluidity of the endoplasmic reticulum control collagen secretion in senescence, using oncogene-induced and stress-induced senescence models, SASP characterisation, and tools to acutely manipulate membrane fluidity such as photoswitchable fatty acids.
2- Membranes and biogenic crystal formation. Within the HFSP-funded MetaCrystal project, we investigate the role of lipids and intracellular membranes in the formation of guanine crystals in zebrafish iridophores, an extreme example of how organelle membranes template the assembly of ordered biological materials.
Members
Noemi Jiménez-Rojo - Ikerbasque Research Fellow and tenure-track Group Leader at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
Email: noemi.jimenez@ehu.eus
Yaiza Varela Fernández - Postdoctoral researcher.
Email: yaiza.varela@ehu.eus
Isabel Pérez-Jover - Postdoctoral researcher.
Email: mariaisabel.perez@ehu.eus
Iñigo Hierro Rivero - PhD student (FPU fellowship).
Email: iñigo.hierro@ehu.eus
Miguel Hernando Bilbao- Undergraduate student
Past members
Enara Rodriguez Amunarriz- Undergraduate student
Margarita Kiakou- Master student
Iker Domínguez Hernández- Undergraduate student