ERC Advanced Grant Ikerbasque Research Professor
0000-0001-5421-8513Jesús Jiménez-Barbero obtained his BSc in Chemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) and continued his scientific pursuits by completing his PhD in Chemistry from UAM, working at CSIC, Spain. During that period, he also worked at CERMAV-CNRS (Grenoble, 1986). Following that, Dr. Jiménez-Barbero pursued postdoctoral studies at the University of Zurich in Switzerland (1987/88), the National Institute for Medical Research in the UK (1988), and Carnegie Mellon University in the USA (1990-92).
Before moving to CIC bioGUNE where he has led its recognition as Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence in 2017 and 2022, he was CSIC Research Professor at CIB-CSIC (2002-14). Previously, he was CSIC tenured scientist (1992-96) and senior research scientist (1996-2002). He was Visiting Professor at École Normale Supérieure, Paris (2004), Sorbonne (2009), Univ. Milano Bicocca (2009-12) and now at the University of the Basque Country since 2016.
From the management perspective, he was President of RSEQ (Royal Society of Chemistry of Spain, 2011-17), after serving before as Secretary General (2004-2011). He also was Head of the Chemistry Panel of the National Plan for Research of the Ministry of Science (2009-18).
In 2014, he joined CIC bioGUNE as an Ikerbasque Research Professor and Scientific Director. His scientific focus lies in Chemical Biology, particularly exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying the recognition of various ligands, with a primary emphasis on glycans, by biological receptors associated with biomedical phenomena such as cancer and infectious diseases. His laboratory employs a comprehensive approach, including chemical synthesis, protein biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, molecular modeling, and structural biology techniques such as X-Ray crystallography and CryoEM, with a special emphasis on NMR spectroscopy.
Noteworthy contributions include systematic studies on glycan-lectin interactions, significantly advancing our understanding of glycan-mediated interactions in health and disease, documented in over 600 scientific publications and 300 invited and plenary lectures. Dr. Jiménez-Barbero has supervised several dozens of PhDs and postdocs, led multiple EU-funded and industry collaborations, and received the ERC AdG for his project RECGLYCANMR (2018-2024), which employs paramagnetic metals and NMR probes (19F, 13C) to scrutinize molecular recognition events in vitro and in-cell.
Awards & recognitions
These studies have been recognized with the National Prize of Research in Chemical Sciences & Technology in 2023, the International Whistler Award in Carbohydrate Chemistry in 2010, and the Gold Medal of RSEQ in 2018, among many others.
Latest Publications
2023
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Ainara González Zarandona
TECHNICIANS / DOCTORAL CANDIDATES -
Donatello Castellana
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Sandra Verdejo García
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Begoña Bareño
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Jana Sendra Viscarro
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Itziar Gil de la Pisa
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Natxo Reguera Pascual
Members
SPECIALISTThe 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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Group Leader
June Ereño Orbea
Ikerbasque Research Associate 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 -
Marta Gutierrez Lete
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Maria Jesús Moure García
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Iris Alicia Bermejo Ruíz
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María Elena Laugieri
Juan de la Cierva Fellow -
Pablo Valverde Sánchez
MSCA-GF Fellow TECHNICIANS / DOCTORAL CANDIDATES -
Iker Oyenarte
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Klaudia Sobczak
MSCA-ITN Fellow -
Alberto Marina
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Juan Carlos Jaime Rodríguez
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Mirane Florencio Zabaleta
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Sandra Delgado
Members
Latest Publications
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
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
Long-COVID cognitive impairments and reproductive hormone deficits in men may stem from GnRH neuronal death
Sauve, F; Nampoothiri, S; Clarke, SA; Fernandois, D; Coêlho, CFF; Dewisme, J; Mills, EG; Ternier, G; Cotellessa, L; Iglesias-Garcia, C; Mueller-Fielitz, H; Lebouvier, T; Perbet, R; Florent, ...
EBIOMEDICINE
2023-10-01
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
Structures of the Inhibitory Receptor Siglec-8 in Complex with a High-Affinity Sialoside Analogue and a Therapeutic Antibody
Lenza, MP; Atxabal, U; Nycholat, C; Oyenarte, I; Franconetti, A; Quintana, JI; Delgado, S; Núñez-Franco, R; Marroquin, CTG; Coelho, H; Unione, L; Jiménez-Oses, G; Marcelo, F; Schubert, M; Paulson, ...
JACS AU
2022-12-23
Metal Nodes of Metal-Organic Frameworks can Activate Molecular Hydrogen
Melillo, A; Franconetti, A; Alvaro, M; Ferrer, B; Garcia, H;
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
2022-11-07
Selective Exoenzymatic Labeling of Lipooligosaccharides of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with α2,6-Sialoside Analogues
de Jong, H; Moure, MJ; Hartman, JEM; Bosman, GP; Ong, JY; Bardoel, BW; Boons, GJ; Wösten, MMSM; Wennekes, T;
CHEMBIOCHEM
2022-08-23
The spike of SARS-CoV-2 promotes metabolic rewiring in hepatocytes
Mercado-Gómez, M; Prieto-Fernández, E; Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, N; Vila-Vecilla, L; Azkargorta, M; Bravo, M; Serrano-Maciá, M; Egia-Mendikute, L; Rodríguez-Agudo, R; Lachiondo-Ortega, S; Lee, ...
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
2022-08-17
Assessing the Mobility of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Spike Protein Glycans by Structural and Computational Methods
Stagnoli, S; Peccati, F; Connell, SR; Martinez-Castillo, A; Charro, D; Millet, O; Bruzzone, C; Palazon, A; Arda, A; Jimenez-Barbero, J; Ereno-Orbea, J; Abrescia, NGA; Jimenez-Oses, G;
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
2022-04-15
The SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein Directly Binds Exogeneous Sialic Acids: A NMR View
Unione, L; Moure, MJ; Lenza, MP; Oyenarte, I; Ereño-Orbea, J; Ardá, A; Jiménez-Barbero, J;
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
2022-03-07
Microwave-assisted palladium catalysed C-H acylation with aldehydes: synthesis and diversification of 3-acylthiophenes
Santiago, C; Jiménez-Aberasturi, X; Leicea, E; Lete, MG; Sotomayor, N; Lete, E;
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
2021-12-22
Unveiling the role of pyrylium frameworks on π-stacking interactions: a combined ab initio and experimental study
Núñez-Franco, R; Jiménez-Osés, G; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Cabrera-Escribano, F; Franconetti, A;
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
2021-09-24
Molecular Recognition Insights of Sialic Acid Glycans by Distinct Receptors Unveiled by NMR and Molecular Modeling
Soares, CO; Grosso, AS; Ereno-Orbea, J; Coelho, H; Marcelo, F;
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
2021-11-15
Systematic Engineering of Optimized Autonomous Heavy-Chain Variable Domains
Nilvebrant, J; Ereño-Orbea, J; Gorelik, M; Julian, MC; Tessier, PM; Julien, JP; Sidhu, SS;
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
2021-09-22
Structural details of monoclonal antibody m971 recognition of the membrane-proximal domain of CD22
Ereño-Orbea, J; Liu, XL; Sicard, T; Kucharska, I; Li, W; Borovsky, D; Cui, H; Feng, Y; Dimitrov, DS; Julien, JP;
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
2021-08-01
Hypoxia reduces cell attachment of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by modulating the expression of ACE2, neuropilin-1, syndecan-1 and cellular heparan sulfate
Prieto-Fernández, E; Egia-Mendikute, L; Vila-Vecilla, L; Bosch, A; Barreira-Manrique, A; Lee, SY; García-del Río, A; Antoñana-Vildosola, A; Jiménez-Lasheras, B; Moreno-Cugnon, L; Jiménez-Barbero, ...
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
2021-01-01
Current Status on Therapeutic Molecules Targeting Siglec Receptors
Lenza, MP; Atxabal, U; Oyenarte, I; Jiménez-Barbero, J; Ereño-Orbea, J;
CELLS
2020-12-01
Structural Characterization of N-Linked Glycans in the Receptor Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and their Interactions with Human Lectins
Lenza, MP; Oyenarte, I; Diercks, T; Quintana, JI; Gimeno, A; Coelho, H; Diniz, A; Peccati, F; Delgado, S; Bosch, A; Valle, M; Millet, O; Abrescia, NGA; Palazn, A; Marcelo, F; Jiménez-Osés, G; ...
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
2020-10-22
The Plasticity of the Carbohydrate Recognition Domain Dictates the Exquisite Mechanism of Binding of Human Macrophage Galactose-Type Lectin
Diniz, A; Coelho, H; Dias, JS; van Vliet, SJ; Jimenez-Barbero, J; Corzana, F; Cabrita, EJ; Marcelo, F;
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
2019-11-04
Fast and slow biomembrane solubilizing detergents: Insights into their mechanism of action
Lete, MG; Monasterio, BG; Collado, MI; Medina, M; Sot, J; Alonso, A; Goñi, FM;
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
2019-11-01