Ikerbasque Research Associate
0000-0001-8982-1857June Ereño-Orbea obtained her BSc in Biochemistry and a MSc in Molecular Biology & Biomedicine from the University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and continued her scientific pursuits by completing her PhD in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine from the same institution.
In 2015, Dr. Ereño-Orbea joined the laboratory of Dr. Julien at SickKids Hospital (Canada). In her postdoctoral research she characterized the structure of CD22 (Siglec-2), a key inhibitory co-receptor of B cells and a significant immunotherapeutic target. This research illuminated the interactions between CD22 and sialic acid glycans and provided insights into its spatial organization within B cells. The findings contributed to advancements in antibody-based therapies, specifically CAR-T cells for B-cell lymphoma treatment. Additionally, Dr. Ereño collaborated on HIV vaccine design with The Scripps Research Institute (USA).
In 2019, Dr. Ereño-Orbea joined CIC bioGUNE and completed a successful 5-year tenure-track period as an Ikerbasque Research Fellow (2019-2023). In 2024, she got promoted to Ikerbasque Research Associate and Associated Principal Investigator to lead her independent research. Her research is focused on unraveling molecular mechanisms of antibodies and lectins, particularly exploring Siglec glycoimmune checkpoint receptors for next-generation therapies in diseases like cancer. Using integrative molecular and structural biology and biophysical techniques, she unravels the complexities of antibody-Siglec and glycan-Siglec interactions, laying the foundation for purpose-fit therapeutic molecules through protein engineering and chemical biology. Simultaneously, she delves into the generation and characterization of antibodies targeting tumor associated glycans, contributing to advancements in cancer immunotherapy.
Awards & recognitions
Ikerbasque Research Associate awarded by the Basque Foundation for Science (2024). “Consolidación Investigadora” by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (2024). R3 certificate by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (2023). BBVA Leonardo Grant for scientists and creators (2023). Ikerbasque Research Fellow awarded by the Basque Foundation for Science (2019). Juan de la Cierva Incorporación Program awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (2019). Banting Postdoctoral Research Fellow from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (2016). AUSE PhD Award from the Spanish Association of Synchrotron Users (2017). Restracomp Award for Postdoctoral Research from The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada (2016). Jose Tormo Prize awarded by the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM) (2014). Predoctoral Mobility Grants awarded by the Basque Regional Government for a research stay at the University of Colorado, US (2013). Research Staff Training Predoctoral Program awarded by the Basque Regional Government (2011).
Collaborations
Collaborations are integral to her research, extending across Europe, North America, and Japan. Notable partnerships include esteemed institutions like the University Nova Lisbon (F. Marcelo, P. Videira), University of Berlin (M. Schubert), Radboud University (T. Boltje), Scripps, University of Alberta (M. Macauley), the Scripps Research Institute (J. Paulson), and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (T. Tsubata). Additionally, collaborations with Basque entities such as CIC biomaGUNE, Biofisika, Biolan, and Zelula Biopharma S.L. have enriched and expanded the impact of her investigations.
Latest Publications
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
The Chemical Glycobiology Lab is actively engaged in extensive multidisciplinary studies on diverse glycan-lectin systems related to health and disease. This collaborative research involves Senior (Jimenez-Barbero, Ardá, Ereño-Orbea, Unione) and Emerging Scientists (Gimeno), along with Specialists, Technicians, Postdoctoral associates, and Doctoral candidates.
Using a combination of diverse and synergic methodologies, including chemical synthesis, protein biochemistry and molecular biology, biophysics (ITC, BLI), molecular modelling, and structural biology (X-Ray crystallography and CryoEM), with special emphasis on NMR spectroscopy, the Chemical Glycobiology lab investigates the interactions of glycans related to immune responses, from cancer to bacterial and viral infections.
Indeed, glycans, prevalent on mammalian cells and in the extracellular matrix, collectively form the glycocalyx, impacting physical properties, regulating protein function, and acting as ligands for lectins. Dysregulation of glycosyltransferases results in tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs), unique to tumor cells. While TACAs are recognized therapeutic targets, their low immunogenicity presents a challenge for T-cell-dependent immune responses crucial in cancer therapy. TACAs play a crucial role in modulating immune responses within the tumor microenvironment through interactions with lectins. Similar interactions are observed in bacterial and viral-mediated infectious events.
From the application side, the focus is on structure-based drug and vaccine design, collaborating with research groups and pharmaceutical companies worldwide, investigating lectin-glycan and antibody-glycan molecular recognition processes. Additionally, from the basic perspective, we explore the conformational properties of glycans, specially the glycosyl oxocarbenium cations, key intermediates in synthesis and cleavage, and examine the presentation and dynamic properties of glycans designed for specific geometrical shapes.
In parallel, the laboratory continuously develops cutting-edge NMR-based techniques. Special emphasis is placed on the use of stable isotopes (13C, 19F) to push the boundaries of NMR applications. These advancements are vital for understanding the pivotal roles of glycans in their interactions with receptors, influencing biological responses associated with health or disease.
Specific areas and research lines include:
- • Interactions of glycans with galectins and C-type lectins, overseen by Dr. Ana Ardá.
- • Recognition of sialic acids by Siglecs and their role as glyco-immune checkpoints, led by Dr. June Ereño-Orbea.
- • Attachment of glycans to influenza virus proteins and other pathogens, investigating their impact on infections, directed by Dr. Luca Unione.
- • Analysis of proteoglycans and the functional landscape of glycosylation in cancer, spearheaded by Dr. Ana Gimeno.
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Scientific Director
Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
ERC Advanced Grant - Ikerbasque Research Professor Associate Principal Investigator -
Luca Unione
ERC Starting Grant - Ikerbasque Research Associate - Juan de la Cierva Fellow -
Ana Arda
Ikerbasque Research Associate Emerging Scientist -
Ana Maria Gimeno Cardells
Ramón y Cajal (RyC) Programme - Ikerbasque Research Fellow SPECIALIST -
Ana Poveda
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER -
Maria Jesús Moure García
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Iris Alicia Bermejo Ruíz
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Marta Gutierrez Lete
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Pablo Valverde Sánchez
MSCA-GF Fellow -
María Elena Laugieri
Juan de la Cierva Fellow TECHNICIANS / DOCTORAL CANDIDATES -
Mirane Florencio Zabaleta
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Alberto Marina
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Juan Carlos Jaime Rodríguez
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Iker Oyenarte
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Sandra Delgado
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Klaudia Sobczak
MSCA-ITN Fellow
Members
Latest Publications
Dissecting the Conformational Stability of a Glycan Hairpin
Yadav, N; Djalali, S; Poveda, A; Ricardo, MG; Seeberger, PH; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Delbianco, M;
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
2024-02-20
Unraveling Molecular Recognition of Glycan Ligands by Siglec-9 via NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Modeling
Atxabal, U; Nycholat, C; Pröpster, JM; Fernández, A; Oyenarte, I; Lenza, MP; Franconetti, A; Soares, CO; Coelho, H; Marcelo, F; Schubert, M; Paulson, JC; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Ereño-Orbea, J;
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
2024-02-16
Evolution of human H3N2 influenza virus receptor specificity has substantially expanded the receptor-binding domain site
Thompson, AJ; Wu, NC; Canales, A; Kikuchi, C; Zhu, XY; de Toro, BF; Cañada, FJ; Worth, C; Wang, SY; Mcbride, R; Peng, WJ; Nycholat, CM; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Wilson, IA; Paulson, JC;
CELL HOST & MICROBE
2024-02-14
Strategy for the Enzymatic Acylation of the Apple Flavonoid Phloretin Based on Prior α-Glucosylation
Gonzalez-Alfonso, JL; Alonso, C; Poveda, A; Ubiparip, Z; Ballesteros, AO; Desmet, T; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Coderch, L; Plou, FJ;
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
2024-02-13
The impact of glycosylation on the structure, function, and interactions of CD14.
Quintana, Jon Imanol; Delgado, Sandra; Rabano, Miriam; Azkargorta, Mikel; Florencio-Zabaleta, Mirane; Unione, Luca; Vivanco, Maria dM; Elortza, Felix; Jimenez-Barbero, Jesus; Arda, Ana;
Glycobiology
2024-01-16
Illuminating a Solvent-Dependent Hierarchy for Aromatic CH/π Complexes with Dynamic Covalent Glyco-Balances
Díaz-Casado, L; Villacampa, A; Corzana, F; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Gómez, AM; Santana, AG; Asensio, JL;
JACS AU
2024-01-02
Krylov, Vadim B; Gomez-Redondo, Marcos; Solovev, Arsenii S; Yashunsky, Dmitry V; Brown, Alistair J P; Stappers, Mark H T; Gow, Neil A R; Arda, Ana; Jimenez-Barbero, Jesus; Nifantiev, Nikolay ...
Cell surface (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
2023-12-15
Targeting the Spike: Repurposing Mithramycin and Dihydroergotamine to Block SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Stagnoli, S; Macari, G; Corsi, P; Capone, B; Vidaurrazaga, A; Ereño-Orbea, J; Ardá, A; Polticelli, F; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Abrescia, NGA; Coluzza, I;
ACS OMEGA
2023-11-13
Synthesis of a glycan hairpin
Fittolani, G; Tyrikos-Ergas, T; Poveda, A; Yu, Y; Yadav, N; Seeberger, PH; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Delbianco, M;
NATURE CHEMISTRY
2023-07-03
Total Synthesis and Structural Studies of Zwitterionic Bacteroides fragilis Polysaccharide A1 Fragments
Wang, Z; Poveda, A; Zhang, QJ; Unione, L; Overkleeft, HS; van der Marel, GA; Jesús, JB; Codée, JDC;
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
2023-06-13
Structural insights into Siglec-15 reveal glycosylation dependency for its interaction with T cells through integrin CD11b
Lenza, MP; Egia-Mendikute, L; Antoñana-Vildosola, A; Soares, CO; Coelho, H; Corzana, F; Bosch, A; Manisha, P; Quintana, JI; Oyenarte, I; Unione, L; Moure, MJ; Azkargorta, M; Atxabal, U; Sobczak, ...
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
2023-06-13
KR-12 Derivatives Endow Nanocellulose with Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Role of Conjugation Chemistry
Blasi-Romero, A; Angström, M; Franconetti, A; Muhammad, T; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Göransson, U; Palo-Nieto, C; Ferraz, N;
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
2023-05-11
Blood pH Analysis in Combination with Molecular Medical Tools in Relation to COVID-19 Symptoms
Siebert, HC; Eckert, T; Bhunia, A; Klatte, N; Mohri, M; Siebert, S; Kozarova, A; Hudson, JW; Zhang, RY; Zhang, N; Li, L; Gousias, K; Kanakis, D; Yan, MD; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Kozár, T; Nifantiev, ...
BIOMEDICINES
2023-05-11
Molecular Recognition of Glycan-Bearing Glycomacromolecules Presented at Membrane Surfaces by Lectins: An NMR View
Lete, MG; Hoffmann, M; Schomann, N; Martínez-Castillo, A; Peccati, F; Konietzny, PB; Delgado, S; Snyder, NL; Jiménez-Oses, G; Abrescia, NGA; Ardá, A; Hartmann, L; Jiménez-Barbero, J;
ACS OMEGA
2023-05-03
SARS-CoV-2 Spike N-Terminal Domain Engages 9-O-Acetylated?2-8-Linked Sialic Acids
Tomris, I; Unione, L; Nguyen, L; Zaree, P; Bouwman, KM; Liu, L; Li, ZS; Fok, JA; Carrasco, MR; van der Woude, R; Kimpel, ALM; Linthorst, MW; Kilavuzoglu, SE; Verpalen, ECJM; Caniels, TG; Sanders, ...
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
2023-04-27
Highly Diastereoselective Multicomponent Synthesis of Spirocyclopropyl Oxindoles Enabled by Rare-Earth Metal Salts
Tallarida, MA; Olivito, F; Navo, CD; Algieri, V; Jiritano, A; Costanzo, P; Poveda, A; Moure, MJ; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Maiuolo, L; Jiménez-Osés, G; De Nino, A;
ORGANIC LETTERS
2023-04-26
Development of synthetic, self-adjuvanting, and self-assembling anticancer vaccines based on a minimal saponin adjuvant and the tumor-associated MUC1 antigen
Pifferi, C; Aguinagalde, L; Ruiz-de-Angulo, A; Sacristán, N; Baschirotto, PT; Poveda, A; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Anguita, J; Fernández-Tejada, A;
CHEMICAL SCIENCE
2023-03-01
Biomimetic Tweezers for N-Glycans: Selective Recognition of the Core GlcNAc2 Disaccharide of the Sialylglycopeptide SGP
Milanesi, F; Unione, L; Ardá, A; Nativi, C; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Roelens, S; Francesconi, O;
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
2023-02-24
New Glucosamine-Based TLR4 Agonists: Design, Synthesis, Mechanism of Action, and In Vivo Activity as Vaccine Adjuvants
Romerio, A; Gotri, N; Franco, AR; Artusa, V; Shaik, MM; Pasco, ST; Atxabal, U; Matamoros-Recio, A; Mínguez-Toral, M; Zalamea, JD; Franconetti, A; Abrescia, NGA; Jimenez-Barbero, J; Anguita, ...
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
2023-02-23
Revealing the Specificity of Human H1 Influenza A Viruses to Complex N-Glycans
Canales, A; Sastre, J; Orduña, JM; Spruit, CM; Pérez-Castells, J; Domínguez, G; Bouwman, KM; van der Woude, R; Cañada, FJ; Nycholat, CM; Paulson, JC; Boons, GJ; Jiménez-Barbero, J; de Vries, ...
JACS AU
2023-02-17