We are delighted to announce that our latest paper, “PKP1 fuels lung squamous cell carcinoma by stabilizing the glycolytic enzyme PFKP”, has just been accepted in Biomarker Research.
In this study, we uncover a novel metabolic mechanism through which PKP1 sustains tumor growth in lung squamous cell carcinoma by preventing the degradation of PFKP, a key glycolytic enzyme. This discovery opens the door to new metabolic vulnerabilities and potential therapeutic strategies for this challenging cancer subtype.
This work represents a truly collaborative effort, powered by outstanding international partnerships: the Giehm Lab at Aarhus University, enabled by a research stay of Alberto Arenas Molina, and Nélida Noguera’s laboratory at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, through a stay of Félix Ritoré-Salazar.
We are especially proud that this is the first-author paper of Félix Ritoré-Salazar, marking a major milestone in his PhD thesis. Congratulations, Félix, and congratulations to the entire team for their creativity, teamwork, and perseverance! Science thrives on shared journeys.
We are delighted to share that our study “High-fidelity Cas9-mediated targeting of KRAS driver mutations restrains lung cancer in preclinical models” has been officially accepted in Nature Communications.
In this work, we demonstrate that precise CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing can directly remove the KRAS G12C and G12D mutations responsible for driving some of the most aggressive lung cancers. Remarkably, our approach outperformed the clinical drug sotorasib in resistant models, opening the way for more durable and personalized therapeutic strategies.
This success is the result of an extraordinary team effort. Our warmest congratulations to Juan Sanjuán-Hidalgo, who signs his first paper as first author, a key milestone in his PhD journey; and to J. Carlos Álvarez-Pérez and Alberto M. Arenas Molina, for their scientific rigor and dedication throughout this demanding project.
We also extend our sincere thanks to our collaborators at the laboratories of Eloísa Jantus (Universitat Politècnica de València) and Luis Paz-Ares and Irene Ferrer (CNIO and Hospital 12 de Octubre) for their invaluable contributions.
A very special acknowledgment goes to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) for believing in this idea and providing crucial funding support.
After almost two years of intense revisions and perseverance, this achievement stands as a testament to teamwork, resilience, and scientific passion. We couldn’t be prouder of what we have accomplished together.
Thank you all for making this possible!
Boglarka Szabo, from Pázmány Péter Catholic University (Hungary), is perfoming a scientific internship in our lab. During her stay, she made valuable contributions to several projects, combining strong analytical thinking with remarkable precision.
We are impress for her bioinformatics skills and outstanding efficiency —thank you, Bogi, for your excellent work and enthusiasm!
Our lab member Ana Utrilla is currently carrying out a research stay in the laboratory of Professor Marko Jovanovic at Columbia University (New York City). During this visit, she is generating exciting data through ribosome profiling and mass spectrometry as part of her PhD thesis on lung cancer.
This collaboration represents an excellent opportunity to combine cutting-edge technologies and international scientific exchange, strengthening the translational research goals of our group.
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Juan de los Santos, who has recently joined our lab as a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellow.
We are sincerely grateful to the evaluation panel for awarding our research group the highest score in the research team track record section of the Juan de la Cierva assessment. This recognition reflects the collective effort, trajectory, and commitment of all past and present members of the lab, and we are deeply thankful for it.
Juan brings with him an outstanding background in molecular oncology and a contagious enthusiasm for science. His expertise will strengthen our research capabilities, we are excited about the discoveries ahead.
Welcome to the team, Juan, great science and collaboration await!
Our labmates Fernando Montenegro Elvira and Sergio Castro González were selected by the Scientific Committee to deliver oral presentations at the IV Oncology Area Conference of ibs.GRANADA.
Both contributions reflect the excellence and translational impact of the ongoing cancer research projects developed within our group at GENYO.
Proud of our young scientists pushing the frontiers of oncology!
Our lab members Patricia Concha and Ana Utrilla presented their research at the III PTS Research Congress, held in Granada from February 3rd to 5th, 2025.
Patricia presented her work titled “Characterization of emerging fusion genes in lung cancer”, while Ana gave a talk on “RBM10 modulates circular RNA biogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma”.
Both presentations were selected by the Congress Scientific Committee, highlighting the quality and impact of their doctoral research.
Our PhD student Juan Sanjuán has recently completed a research stay in the laboratory of Professor Chiara Ambrogio at the Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), University of Torino.
During this period, he investigated key aspects of KRAS signaling and lung cancer biology as part of his doctoral thesis project. This international collaboration has provided Juan with valuable experience in advanced molecular oncology and has further strengthened our group’s network of excellence in KRAS-driven cancer research.
Collaborative science pushing boundaries!
