Uris Ros – Integrative Cell Death
Artwork: Orlando QuinteroTesoro
Membrane damage can be induced by external factors such as mechanical and chemical stress, microbial attack, or the action of immune cells, or from within the cell through the activation of cell death pathways. This damage is sensed by cells, which can integrate the response to different forms of membrane damage into common repair and response principles. The interplay of these processes determines how cells and tissues cope with danger and damage signals, and thus influences the activation of the immune system.
Our group aims to unravel the general principles that explain the link between membrane damage and different forms of regulated cell death and signaling pathways. To this end, we use an integrative approach that combines multiscale screening methods with state-of-the-art molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, and membrane biophysics. The overall goal is to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of key components of these networks in cells, which will guide the development of novel strategies to therapeutically target inflammatory diseases.
Our work centers on three major mechanistic axes:
- Multilayered regulation including alternative splicing, protein degradation, and phosphorylation;
- Calcium signaling and membrane permeabilization as initiators and executors of necrotic processes;
- Lipid scrambling and membrane remodeling as critical switches at the interface between dying cells and the immune system.
By mapping these interconnected layers, we aim to identify key common and pathway-specific nodes that can be targeted to modulate inflammation and immunity in disease.
News
Dr. Uris Ros
- Group Leader at the Department of Membrane Dynamics. Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, since July 2024
- Staff Scientist at the Membrane Biophysics Laboratory. Institute of Genetic/CECAD, University of Cologne, 2019 – 2024
- Postdoctoral researcher at the Membrane Biophysics Laboratory. Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry (IFIB), Tübingen University, 2015 – 2019
- Tenure assistant-associate professor at the Faculty of Biology. University of Havana, Cuba, 2011 – 2015
Education
- PhD in Biological Sciences, University of Havana, Cuba, 2007 – 2012
- Master in Molecular Biology, University of Havana, Cuba, 2005 – 2007
- Undergraduate Studies in Biochemistry, University of Havana, Cuba, 1999 – 2004
Academic Accomplishments and Honors
- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Georg Forster) postdoctoral fellowship, 2015
- Max Plank society postdoctoral Short-term fellowship, 2014
- IUBMB, Wood-Whelan Research Short-term Fellowship, 2014
- National Prize for Chemistry. Top Cuban award for outstanding research achievements for early career scientists, 2013
- EMBO Short-term Fellowship, 2013
- DAAD (Germany) Short-term Fellowship, 2013
- ELAP (Canada) Short-term Fellowship, 2010
- UNU-Biolac Short-term Fellowship, 2010
- Network of Latin-American and Caribbean Macrouniversities scholarship Short-term Fellowship, 2007
- National Prize of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, 2005, 2012
- Best Biochemistry Graduate Student, Gold Title, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Cuba, 2004