Our professionals
Dr. Maite Huarte
Director of the DNA and RNA Medicine Division.
Principal Investigator of the Non-Coding RNA and Regulation of the Cancer Genome Group.
Preferential dedication to the study of the role of non-coding RNAs in the regulation of cancer genome expression and stability.
Professional career
Degree in Biological Sciences (Universidad de Navarra, 1997).
PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in 2003 for research carried out at the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC).
She did postdoctoral studies at Harvard University and the Broad Institute (MIT and Harvard, USA).
Since 2011 she has been the principal investigator of the Research Group on Non-Coding RNA and Regulation of the Cancer Genome. Her group is part of the Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program at Cima Universidad de Navarra.
RESEARCH AREAS
Dr. Huarte has established that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are functional components of cellular pathways with great importance in cancer, demonstrating the role of lncRNAs in regulating the expression and stability of the genome of cancer cells.
Her work has led to the identification of lncRNAs with oncogenic activities in colon and lung tumors, with potential as therapeutic targets.
Projects as principal investigator:
- International Projects: ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants, WCR, Marie Curie ITN.
- National Projects: MINECO (3x), Government of Navarra, Caja Navarra Foundation, Olga Torres Foundation
AREAS OF INTEREST
- Study of the function of lncRNAs in cancer
- Mechanisms of regulation of gene expression by lncRNA
- Study of the functions of RNA in chromatin replication and genomic stability
Activity
As an educator
- Masters and thesis project supervisor
- doctoral theses supervised (4 already completed, two obtaining the "Extraordinary Doctorate Award")
- nvited lectures at international universities: Karolinska Institute / University of Uppsala, BRIC Institute / University of Copenhagen, Curie Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute and Autonomous University of Mexico.
As a researcher
- IP Non-Coding RNA and Regulation of the Cancer Genome Research Group
- 46 indexed publications cited more than 11,000 times
- Publications in Nature, Cell, Molecular Cell, Cancer Cell, Nature Comm, Genome Biol, JCB, Cell Reports, PNAS, Genes and Dev, NAR, J Biol Chem…
- Invited review articles for Nature Reviews Molecular Medicine, Nature Medicine, Trends in Cell Biol, Hum Mol Genetics), and comments for Cell, Science, Nature, Cancer Cell, Nature Genetics, Nature Medicine, etc.,
- Three book chapters published
Recognitions
- SER Navarra Research Award 2018.
- ERC Consolidator Grant 2017.
- ERC Starting Grant 2011.
- Ramón y Cajal Contract 2011 (First position in Fundamental and Systems Biology).
Scientific organizations
- Member of the Advisory Board of GENCODE.
- Member of the Advisory Board of Worldwide Cancer Research (WCR).
- Member of Evaluation Panels of Spanish and International Agencies.
More information
Latest scientific publications
- The chromatin-associated lncREST ensures effective replication stress response by promoting the assembly of fork signaling factors. Scientific Publication Feb 1, 2024 | Magazine: Nature Communications
- A senescence-specific lncRNA controls metabolic rewiring of senescent cells Jan 26, 2024 | Magazine: bioRxiv