Pablo Fernández-Pernas

Role of microRNAs in mesenchymal stem cells chondrogenesis for cartilage lesions reparation.

Despite widespread knowledge of the properties of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), very little is known about the mechanisms responsible for their regulation. miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules which regulate gene expression, and have emerged as potent regulators of hMSCs, being able to control the expression of hundreds of genes simultaneously. In this project, in collaboration with the group of Dr. Brichmann (Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, University of Oslo), Pablo Fernández-Pernas is researching the role of different miRNAs and binding proteins linked to miRNAs that could be key for a future clinical use.

CRISPR / Cas9 to generate modificated cells for their use in cell therapy.

The new genetic edition technologies as TALEN or CRISPR are revolutionizing medical research. These tools allow us to delete and edit the genome quickly and accurately even customising a single base pair. In collaboration with the group of Dr. Brichmann (Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, University of Oslo), Pablo Fernández-Pernas will use the CRISPR / Cas9 technology to modify mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes (such as the correction of possible mutations or deletion of unwanted genes), trying to solve problems or improve outcomes for their use in cell therapy on articular cartilage injuries.

Pablo Fernández Pernas has obtained his PhD with the Thesis: Combination of cellular therapies for the repair of cartilage lesions. 2017.