Ikerbasque Research Fellow Ramón y Cajal Programme
0000-0002-9018-3474Isabel Mendizabal obtained her BSc in Human Biology and MSc in Biomedical Research from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona). She completed her PhD in Biomedicine in the laboratory of Prof. David Comas (Institute of Evolutionary Biology), where she worked on evolutionary analyses of human genomes.
In 2013, Dr. Mendizabal joined the laboratory of Prof. Soojin Yi at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, USA). Her work there focused on the role of epigenomics in shaping cell-type-specific transcriptional programs and on how multiomic approaches can help reveal regulatory mechanisms involved in complex diseases, including cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders.
In 2020, she obtained an Ikerbasque Research Fellow position in the Cancer Cell Signaling and Metabolism Lab led by Prof. Arkaitz Carracedo at CIC bioGUNE, contributing to the characterization of genomic and transcriptomic alterations in prostate cancer.
In 2025, Dr. Mendizabal established her independent research group at CIC bioGUNE as Group Leader of the Precision Cancer Multiomics Lab. Her team investigates the molecular and cellular processes underlying cancer heterogeneity through advanced omics and computational techniques, with the aim of improving the clinical management of cancer.
Awards & recognitions
Ikerbasque Associate Professor (2025). Ramón y Cajal Contract (2025). CRIS contra el cáncer Talent Grant (2021). Ikerbasque Research Fellow (2020). CAF-Elhuyar Scientific Dissemination Award (2013). Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Basque Government (2013). Extraordinary PhD Award (2012). PhD Fellowship from the Basque Government (2008).
Personal and group social networks
Latest Publications
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
At the Precision Cancer Multiomics Lab, we study the molecular, cellular, and tissue-level processes that shape prostate cancer development and clinical behavior. By combining multiomic profiling, computational analysis, and imaging approaches, we aim to better understand why tumors differ so widely and how this diversity can inform diagnosis and patient care.
Research line 1: Regulatory programs shaping prostate cancer progression
We study genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptional programs that contribute to how prostate tumors arise and progress. This line focuses on understanding the regulatory mechanisms and cellular interactions that influence tumor behavior.
Research line 2: Comparative profiling of prostate disease states
Our group examines shared and distinct molecular features across prostate conditions. By placing prostate cancer in the broader context of prostate disease, we seek to clarify biological relationships that help explain clinical heterogeneity.
Research line 3: Computational mapping of tumor diversity
We use advanced computational approaches, including AI, to study tumor architecture and microenvironmental patterns. These tools help us identify features linked to tumor heterogeneity and clinical outcomes, complementing our multiomic research.
Collaborations
We maintain close collaborations with a number of clinical and research partners who play a key role in our work, including Ainara Azueta and Ana Loizaga-Iriarte (Basurto University Hospital, Pathology and Urology departments, respectively), Enrique González-Billalabeitia (Hospital 12 de Octubre, Oncology), Mariona Graupera and Eduard Porta-Pardo (Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute), and Arkaitz Carracedo (CIC bioGUNE). We have also contributed to the European PIPgen Network (MSCA-ITN) on PI3K/PTEN-related diseases, as well as to collaborative publications with the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (National Cancer Institute, USA).
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Uxue Lazcano Dobao
AECC Predoctoral Fellow -
Alex Rodríguez Alonso
Members
TECHNICIANS / DOCTORAL CANDIDATESLatest Publications
Aggressive prostate cancer is associated with pericyte dysfunction
Martinez-Romero, A; Martinez-Larrinaga, A; Grego-Bessa, J; Garcia-Longarte, S; van Splunder, H; Astobiza, I; Ercilla, A; Bozal-Basterra, L; Mendizabal, I; Villacampa, P; Carracedo, A; Graupera, ...
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
2025-10-21
Unravelling the role of L-and Dalanine in prostate cancer: a Positron Emission Tomography study in a genetic mouse model
Castellnou, P; Gómez-Martínez, M; Gómez-Vallejo, V; Baz, Z; López-Gallego, F; Rondon-Lorefice, I; Zabala-Letona, A; Poot, AJ; Mendizabal, I; Carracedo, A; Rejc, L; Llop, J;
NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
2025-09-25
A bioinformatics screen identifies TCF19 as an aggressiveness-sustaining gene in prostate cancer
Ercilla, A; Crespo, JR; Garcia-Longarte, S; Fidalgo, M; del Palacio, S; Martin-Martin, N; Carlevaris, O; Astobiza, I; Fernández-Ruiz, S; Guiu, M; Bárcena, L; Mendizabal, I; Aransay, AM; Graupera, ...
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
2025-09-15
Role of CNNM4 in the progression of cholangiocarcinoma: implications for ferroptosis and therapeutic potential
Mercado-Gómez , M; Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, N; Giné, AE; Rodrigo, MAM; Afonso, MB; Azkargorta, M; Zapata-Pavas, LE; Rejano-Gordillo, CM; Romero, MR; Mendizabal, I; Rodrigues, PM; Wu, HH; Rodríguez-Agudo, ...
GUT
2025-08-05
Transcriptional analysis of metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer primary tumor biopsies reveals a relevant role for SOX11 in prostate cancer cell dissemination
Martin-Martin, N; Garcia-Longarte, S; Corres-Mendizabal, J; Lazcano, U; Astobiza, I; Bozal-Basterra, L; Herranz, N; van Splunder, H; Carlevaris, O; Pujana-Vaquerizo, M; Blasco, MT; Aransay, ...
GENOME BIOLOGY
2025-06-03
Precision proteogenomics reveals pan-cancer impact of germline variants
Rodrigues, FM; Terekhanova, NV; Imbach, KJ; Clauser, KR; Selvan, ME; Mendizabal, I; Geffen, Y; Akiyama, Y; Maynard, M; Yaron, TM; Li, YZ; Cao, S; Storrs, EP; Gonda, OS; Gaite-Reguero, A; Govindan, ...
CELL
2025-05-01
Asymmetrical Evolution of Promoter Methylation of Mammalian Genes after Duplication
de la Fuente, M; Mendizabal, I; Han, M; Yi, S; Alvarez-Ponce, D;
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
2024-12-30
Human brain aging is associated with dysregulation of cell type epigenetic identity
Jeong, H; Mendizabal, I; Yi, SV;
GEROSCIENCE
2024-12-27
The PP2A regulator IER5L supports prostate cancer progression
Crespo, JR; Martín-Martín, N; Garcia-Longarte, S; Corres-Mendizabal, J; Carlevaris, O; Astobiza, I; Zabala-Letona, A; Guiu, M; Azkargorta, M; Gonzalez-Lopez, M; Macías-Cámara, N; Doan, P; Elortza, ...
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
2024-07-18
Human Brain Aging is Associated with Dysregulation of Cell-Type Epigenetic Identity.
Jeong, Hyeonsoo; Mendizabal, Isabel; Yi, Soojin V;
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
2024-06-03
DNA methylation differences between the female and male X chromosomes in human brain.
Morgan, Robert; Loh, Eddie; Singh, Devika; Mendizabal, Isabel; Yi, Soojin V;
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
2024-04-17
METTL1 promotes tumorigenesis through tRNA-derived fragment biogenesis in prostate cancer
García-Vilchez, R; Anazco-Guenkova, AM; Dietmann, S; López, J; Morón-Calvente, V; DAmbrosi, S; Nombela, P; Zamacola, K; Mendizabal, I; García-Longarte, S; Zabala-Letona, A; Astobiza, I; Fernández, ...
MOLECULAR CANCER
2023-07-29
Master Transcription Factor Reprogramming Unleashes Selective Translation Promoting Castration Resistance and Immune Evasion in Lethal Prostate Cancer
Santasusagna, S; Zhu, S; Jawalagatti, V; Carceles-Cordon, M; Ertel, A; Garcia-Longarte, S; Song, WM; Fujiwara, N; Li, P; Mendizabal, I; Petrylak, DP; Kelly, WK; Reddy, EP; Wang, L; Schiewer, ...
CANCER DISCOVERY
2023-01-01
PI3K-regulated Glycine N-methyltransferase is required for the development of prostate cancer
Zabala-Letona, A; Arruabarrena-Aristorena, A; Fernandez-Ruiz, S; Viera, C; Carlevaris, O; Ercilla, A; Mendizabal, I; Martin, T; Macchia, A; Camacho, L; Pujana-Vaquerizo, M; Sanchez-Mosquera, ...
ONCOGENESIS
2022-02-23
Defining a Methylation Signature Associated With Operational Tolerance in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Rodriguez, RM; Hernández-Fuentes, MP; Corte-Iglesias, V; Saiz, ML; Lozano, JJ; Cortazar, AR; Mendizabal, I; Suarez-Fernandez, ML; Coto, E; López-Vázquez, A; Díaz-Corte, C; Aransay, AM; López-Larrea, ...
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
2021-08-20
Evolution of DNA methylation in the human brain
Jeong, H; Mendizabal, I; Berto, S; Chatterjee, P; Layman, T; Usui, N; Toriumi, K; Douglas, C; Singh, D; Huh, I; Preuss, TM; Konopka, G; Yi, S;
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
2021-04-01
Genomic and Functional Regulation of TRIB1 Contributes to Prostate Cancer Pathogenesis
Shahrouzi, P; Astobiza, I; Cortazar, AR; Torrano, V; Macchia, A; Flores, JM; Niespolo, C; Mendizabal, I; Caloto, R; Ercilla, A; Camacho, L; Arreal, L; Bizkarguenaga, M; Martinez-Chantar, ML; ...
CANCERS
2020-09-01
The research in the Carracedo lab is aimed at deconstructing the essential requirements of cancer cells with special emphasis on the translation of the acquired knowledge from bench to bedside. In order to define the genuine features of cancer cells, we focus on the signalling and metabolic alterations in prostate and breast cancer. Through the use of a hierarchical approach with increasing complexity, we work on cell lines and primary cultures (using cell and molecular biology technologies), mouse models of prostate cancer that are faithful to the human disease and the analysis of human specimens through the development of prospective and retrospective studies. Our work stems from the hypothesis that cancer is driven by signalling and metabolic alterations that, once identified, can be targeted for therapy. The center and our collaborator institutions offer state-of-the-art technologies (from OMICS to in vivo imaging), which allow us to build and answer our hypotheses with high level of confidence.
To address our scientific questions in cancer, the Carracedo lab has developed a series of research lines:
- Bioinformatics-based discovery. The lab takes full advantage on publicly available human prostate and breast cancer datasets in order to identify candidate genes to contribute to cancer pathogenesis, progression and response to therapy. Best hits are then validated employing genetic mouse models, xenograft surrogate assays and the latest advances in cellular and molecular biology combined with OMICs technologies.
- Genetic mouse models as a source for the identification of novel cancer players. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) can faithfully recapitulate many aspects of human cancer. Dr. Carracedo envisions the molecular analysis of GEMMs with high throughput technologies as a mean to identify novel cancer-related genes. These hits are then validated through the analysis of human cancer specimens and cellular and molecular biology approaches.
- Multi-OMICs analysis for non-invasive biomarker identification. Biofluids are the perfect source for cancer biomarkers that can inform about the presence or features of cancer. The lab has undertaken a biomarker discovery approach by applying the latest OMICs technologies to biofluid specimens from well-annotated prostate cancer patients, in order to define better molecules that inform about this disease.
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Group Leader
Arkaitz Carracedo
ERC Consolidator Grant - Ikerbasque Research Professor Associate Principal Investigator -
Edurne Berra
Emerging Scientist -
Amaia Ercilla Eguiarte
Ikerbasque Research Fellow - Juan de la Cierva Fellow -
Marco Piva
Ikerbasque Research Fellow - Ramón y Cajal (RyC) Programme IKERBASQUE RESEARCH FELLOW -
Oihana Iriondo Martinez de Zuazo
Ikerbasque Research Fellow RESEARCH ASSISTANT -
Amaia Zabala Letona
AECC Researcher -
Natalia Martín Martín
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER -
Mikel Pujana Vaquerizo
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Jaione Auzmendi Iriarte
Juan de la Cierva Fellow -
Blanca Calle Ciborro
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Laura Bozal Basterra
TECHNICIANS / DOCTORAL CANDIDATES -
Saioa García Longarte
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María Ponce Rodríguez
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Maria Camila Salazar Palacio
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Adrián Vicente Barrueco
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Ianire Astobiza
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Alex Rodríguez Alonso
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Onintza Carlevaris
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Irati Aguirre Vicente
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Kathrin Keim
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Mikel Arana Castañares
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Encarnación Pérez Andrés
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Belén Martínez La Osa
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Candela Gerediaga Ruiz de Velasco
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Uxue Lazcano Dobao
AECC Predoctoral Fellow -
Victoria Cid I Centelles
Members
Latest Publications
Aggressive prostate cancer is associated with pericyte dysfunction
Martinez-Romero, A; Martinez-Larrinaga, A; Grego-Bessa, J; Garcia-Longarte, S; van Splunder, H; Astobiza, I; Ercilla, A; Bozal-Basterra, L; Mendizabal, I; Villacampa, P; Carracedo, A; Graupera, ...
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
2025-10-21
Unravelling the role of L-and Dalanine in prostate cancer: a Positron Emission Tomography study in a genetic mouse model
Castellnou, P; Gómez-Martínez, M; Gómez-Vallejo, V; Baz, Z; López-Gallego, F; Rondon-Lorefice, I; Zabala-Letona, A; Poot, AJ; Mendizabal, I; Carracedo, A; Rejc, L; Llop, J;
NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
2025-09-25
A bioinformatics screen identifies TCF19 as an aggressiveness-sustaining gene in prostate cancer
Ercilla, A; Crespo, JR; Garcia-Longarte, S; Fidalgo, M; del Palacio, S; Martin-Martin, N; Carlevaris, O; Astobiza, I; Fernández-Ruiz, S; Guiu, M; Bárcena, L; Mendizabal, I; Aransay, AM; Graupera, ...
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
2025-09-15
Role of CNNM4 in the progression of cholangiocarcinoma: implications for ferroptosis and therapeutic potential
Mercado-Gómez , M; Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, N; Giné, AE; Rodrigo, MAM; Afonso, MB; Azkargorta, M; Zapata-Pavas, LE; Rejano-Gordillo, CM; Romero, MR; Mendizabal, I; Rodrigues, PM; Wu, HH; Rodríguez-Agudo, ...
GUT
2025-08-05
Transcriptional analysis of metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer primary tumor biopsies reveals a relevant role for SOX11 in prostate cancer cell dissemination
Martin-Martin, N; Garcia-Longarte, S; Corres-Mendizabal, J; Lazcano, U; Astobiza, I; Bozal-Basterra, L; Herranz, N; van Splunder, H; Carlevaris, O; Pujana-Vaquerizo, M; Blasco, MT; Aransay, ...
GENOME BIOLOGY
2025-06-03
Secreted spermidine synthase reveals a paracrine role for PGC1α-induced growth suppression in prostate cancer
Schaub-Clerigué, A; Hermanova, I; Pintor-Rial, A; Sydorenko, M; Valcarcel-Jimenez, L; Macchia, A; Lectez, B; Garcia-Longarte, S; Fagoaga-Eugui, M; Astobiza, I; Martín-Martín, N; Zabala-Letona, ...
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
2025-04-23
Syndecan-3 positively regulates the pro-inflammatory function of macrophages
Lee, SY; Prieto-Fernández, E; Egia-Mendikute, L; Antonaña-Vildosola, A; Velasco-Beltrán, P; Bosch, A; Jimenez-Lasheras, B; de Blas, A; de Durana, JED; Valdaliso-Díez, E; Bozal-Basterra, L; Ercilla, ...
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
2025-04-07
A class I PI3K signalling network regulates primary cilia disassembly in normal physiology and disease
Conduit, SE; Pearce, W; Bhamra, A; Bilanges, B; Bozal-Basterra, L; Foukas, LC; Cobbaut, M; Castillo, SD; Danesh, MA; Adil, M; Carracedo, A; Graupera, M; McDonald, NQ; Parker, PJ; Cutillas, PR; ...
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
2024-08-21
MetSCORE: a molecular metric to evaluate the risk of metabolic syndrome based on serum NMR metabolomics
Gil-Redondo, R; Conde, R; Bruzzone, C; Seco, ML; Bizkarguenaga, M; González-Valle, B; de Diego, A; Lain, A; Habisch, H; Haudum, C; Verheyen, N; Obermayer-Pietsch, B; Margarita, S; Pelusi, S; ...
CARDIOVASCULAR DIABETOLOGY
2024-07-24
Metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer: a distinct biological entity
Corres-Mendizabal, J; Zacchi, F; Martín-Martín, N; Mateo, J; Carracedo, A;
TRENDS IN CANCER
2024-07-23
The PP2A regulator IER5L supports prostate cancer progression
Crespo, JR; Martín-Martín, N; Garcia-Longarte, S; Corres-Mendizabal, J; Carlevaris, O; Astobiza, I; Zabala-Letona, A; Guiu, M; Azkargorta, M; Gonzalez-Lopez, M; Macías-Cámara, N; Doan, P; Elortza, ...
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
2024-07-18
Metabolic adaptations in prostate cancer
Pujana-Vaquerizo, M; Bozal-Basterra, L; Carracedo, A;
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
2024-07-05
SERS analysis of cancer cell- secreted purines reveals a unique paracrine crosstalk in MTAP- deficient tumors
Valera, PS; Plou, J; Garcia, I; Astobiza, I; Viera, C; Aransay, AM; Martin, JE; Sasselli, IR; Carracedo, A; Liz-Marzan, LM;
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
2023-12-26
STAT3/LKB1 controls metastatic prostate cancer by regulating mTORC1/CREB pathway
Pencik, J; Philippe, C; Schlederer, M; Atas, E; Pecoraro, M; Grund-Gröchke, S; Li, W; Tracz, A; Heidegger, I; Lagger, S; Trachtová, K; Oberhuber, M; Heitzer, E; Aksoy, O; Neubauer, HA; Wingelhofer, ...
MOLECULAR CANCER
2023-08-12
METTL1 promotes tumorigenesis through tRNA-derived fragment biogenesis in prostate cancer
García-Vilchez, R; Anazco-Guenkova, AM; Dietmann, S; López, J; Morón-Calvente, V; DAmbrosi, S; Nombela, P; Zamacola, K; Mendizabal, I; García-Longarte, S; Zabala-Letona, A; Astobiza, I; Fernández, ...
MOLECULAR CANCER
2023-07-29
Metabolism in the tumor cell and beyond
Carracedo, A;
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
2023-06-06
Machine Learning-Assisted High-Throughput SERS Classification of Cell Secretomes
Plou, J; Valera, PS; García, I; Vila-Liarte, D; Renero-Lecuna, C; Ruiz-Cabello, J; Carracedo, A; Liz-Marzán, LM;
SMALL
2023-04-12
Identifying prognostic parameters related to surgical technique in patients treated by robotic radical prostatectomy
Iriarte, AL; Viscasillas, IL; Gonzalez, SR; Martín, AS; Aparicio, DG; Olano, AU; Pérez, AC; Urzaiz, MU;
ACTAS UROLOGICAS ESPANOLAS
2023-01-01
Master Transcription Factor Reprogramming Unleashes Selective Translation Promoting Castration Resistance and Immune Evasion in Lethal Prostate Cancer
Santasusagna, S; Zhu, S; Jawalagatti, V; Carceles-Cordon, M; Ertel, A; Garcia-Longarte, S; Song, WM; Fujiwara, N; Li, P; Mendizabal, I; Petrylak, DP; Kelly, WK; Reddy, EP; Wang, L; Schiewer, ...
CANCER DISCOVERY
2023-01-01
CiberAMP: An R Package to Identify Differential mRNA Expression Linked to Somatic Copy Number Variations in Cancer Datasets
Caloto, R; Lorenzo-Martín, LF; Quesada, V; Carracedo, A; Bustelo, XR;
BIOLOGY-BASEL
2022-10-01