0000-0002-6446-9911Malu Martínez-Chantar obtained her BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Autonomous University of Madrid and continued her scientific pursuits by completing her PhD in the Institute of Biomedical Research of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Faculty of Medicine at the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain.
From 1997 to 2000, Dr. Martínez-Chantar undertook two postdoctoral fellowships, initially at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and subsequently at the Department of Nutrition at the University of Berkeley, California, USA. In 2000, she joined the Ramón y Cajal researcher program at the Ministry of Science and Innovation, working in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Navarra, Pamplona. She was later appointed as the principal investigator in the Department of Hepatology at the Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA).
In 2005, Dr. Martínez-Chantar joined CIC bioGUNE as a Group Leader, leading the Liver Disease Lab. Her research focuses primarily on molecular hepatology, emphasizing the study of liver disease mechanisms and potential treatments. Specializing in methionine metabolism, the group investigates the role of methionine adenosyl transferase in liver function, its implications for liver health including cellular redox states, and its connections to conditions like fibrosis and cancer. Additionally, they explore molecular pathways involved in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Informed by postdoctoral research in nutritional biochemistry at the University of Berkeley, their studies also examine how dietary factors impact liver health and disease progression. Furthermore, the group investigates redox biology mechanisms such as oxidative stress and redox signaling in liver disease and regeneration. Operating from CIC bioGUNE, they integrate basic research with clinical applications, aiming to translate findings into improved treatments for liver diseases through comprehensive scientific exploration and practical application.
Dr. Martinez-Chantar has published over 70 papers in high-visibility journals such as Cell Metabolism, Journal of Hepatology, and Hepatology. She has secured funding from national and international agencies, including the Ministry of Economy Science and Competitiveness, La Caixa Foundation, and projects like E-Rare, and has driven research transfer through initiatives like La Caixa Impulse and Basel Launch. As a principal investigator for the Spanish Association Against Cancer's Coordinated Project, she focused on precision medicine for hepatoblastoma. She has enhanced liver research visibility through networks like CIBEREHD, Women in Hepatology, and various European COST and Spanish Networks. Her work has significantly advanced understanding of liver disease, metabolism, and therapeutic interventions.
Awards & recognitions
During 2021-2024, Dr. Martinez-Chantar's lab achieved significant milestones. She has successfully transferred knowledge to pharmaceutical companies and conducted clinical studies in collaboration with hospitals, obtained five patents with two licensed to Gibela Therapeutics GmbH, established Mitotherapeutix LLC in the USA, and founded Gibela Therapeutics as part of the Basel Launch initiative. She has conducted ongoing preclinical studies with Oncomatryx and OWL for developing diagnostics and therapies for liver disease. Additionally, she serves on the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) for national and international research centers, international companies, and the CIBER for Liver and Digestive Diseases. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Ikerbasque Woman in Science Prize in 2022.
Latest Publications
2023
The Liver Disease Lab's research primarily focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying liver diseases, with a special emphasis on the role of methionine metabolism and post-translational modifications in liver function and pathology.
The general research objective is to elucidate the biochemical and genetic pathways that contribute to liver disorders such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. By studying these mechanisms, the group aims to develop targeted therapies and diagnostic tools that can effectively prevent, manage, or treat these liver conditions. Their work integrates basic biochemical research with translational studies to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications, ultimately improving patient outcomes in liver diseases.
The Liver Disease Lab has established four innovative research domains, including two previously unexplored areas. These advancements have markedly enhanced our understanding of liver metabolism, physiology, and disease.
Research line 1: Post-translational modifications
Particularly NEDDylation and SUMOylation, exploring how these modifications regulate metabolic pathways in liver disease, resulting in significant publications and the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Research line 2: Mitochondrial activity
Investigating the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in liver disease, which affects cell energy metabolism and has implications for conditions like NAFLD and liver cancer.
Research line 3: Glutamine metabolism
Focusing on how glutamine metabolism and ammonium production impact liver disease progression from NAFLD to hepatocellular carcinoma.
Research line 4: Metallomics
Studying the metabolism of elements like magnesium and ammonium, identifying their roles in liver function and disease, leading to innovative therapeutic approaches.
The laboratory has developed new biological tools, preclinical animal models, and therapeutic strategies, resulting in patented innovations and robust translational research aimed at clinical application.
Collaborations
Dr. Martinez-Chantar's lab collaborated with international companies, including JD Biosciences, SILENCE Therapeutics, and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, on liver disorder treatments, and initiated partnerships with Tekniker and Gaiker for the development of low-cost point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, as well as with Histocell for cell therapy in liver disease. She boasts an extensive network of collaborators both nationally and internationally, see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=martinez-chantar&size=200
-
Alfonso Martínez de la Cruz
RESEARCH ASSISTANT -
Teresa Cardoso
Ramón y Cajal (RyC) Programme -
Irene González Recio
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER -
Naroa Goikoetxea
-
Álvaro Eguileor Giné
-
Carolina Conter
TECHNICIANS / DOCTORAL CANDIDATES -
Begoña Rodríguez Iruretagoyena
-
Jon Ander Barrenechea Barrenechea
-
Patricia Peña San Felix
-
Claudia Gil Pitarch
-
Leidy Estefanía Zapata Pavas
AECC Predoctoral Fellow -
Arantza Sanz Parra
Members
Associate Principal InvestigatorLatest Publications
The lipopolysaccharide-TLR4 axis regulates hepatic glutaminase 1 expression promoting liver ammonia build-up as steatotic liver disease progresses to steatohepatitis
Mercado-Gómez, M; Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, N; Kerbert, AJC; Gracianteparaluceta, LU; Serrano-Macía, M; Lachiondo-Ortega, S; Rodriguez-Agudo, R; Gil-Pitarch, C; Simón, J; González-Recio, I; Fondevila, ...
METABOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
2024-09-01
Neddylation inhibition prevents acetaminophen-induced liver damage by enhancing the anabolic cardiolipin pathway.
Gil-Pitarch, Claudia; Serrano-Macia, Marina; Simon, Jorge; Mosca, Laura; Conter, Carolina; Rejano-Gordillo, Claudia M; Zapata-Pavas, L Estefania; Pena-Sanfelix, Patricia; Azkargorta, Mikel; ...
Cell reports. Medicine
2024-07-16
Phosphorylation at the disordered N-end makes HuR accumulate and dimerize in the cytoplasm
Baños-Jaime, B; Corrales-Guerrero, L; Pérez-Mejias, G; Rejano-Gordillo, CM; Velázquez-Campoy, A; Martínez-Cruz, LA; Martínez-Chantar, ML; de la Rosa, MA; Díaz-Moreno, I;
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
2024-07-05
Mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein enhances MASLD progression via the ERK/TNFα/NFκβ pathway
Novoa, E; Lima, ND; Gonzalez-Rellan, MJ; Chantada-Vazquez, MDP; Verheij, J; Rodriguez, A; Esquinas-Roman, EM; Fondevila, MF; Koning, M; Fernandez, U; Cabaleiro, A; Parracho, T; Iglesias-Moure, ...
HEPATOLOGY
2024-05-16
Proceedings of the 5th Meeting of Translational Hepatology, organized by the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver (AEEH).
Alvarado-Tapias, Edilmar; Maya-Miles, Douglas; Albillos, Agustin; Aller, Rocio; Ampuero, Javier; Andrade, Raul J; Arechederra, Maria; Aspichueta, Patricia; Banales, Jesus M; Blas-Garcia, Ana; ...
Gastroenterologia y hepatologia
2024-05-07
Targeting hepatic stellate cells to combat liver fibrosis: where do we stand?
Breitkopf-Heinlein, K; Martinez-Chantar, ML;
GUT
2024-04-24
Catalytic specificity and crystal structure of cystathionine γ-lyase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pedretti, M; Fernandez-Rodriguez, C; Conter, C; Oyenarte, I; Favretto, F; di Matteo, A; Dominici, P; Petrosino, M; Martinez-Chantar, ML; Majtan, T; Astegno, A; Martinez-Cruz, LA;
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
2024-04-23
Neddylation orchestrates the complex transcriptional and posttranscriptional program that drives Schwann cell myelination
Ayuso-García, P; Sánchez-Rueda, A; Velasco-Avilés, S; Tamayo-Caro, M; Ferrer-Pinós, A; Huarte-Sebastian, C; Alvarez, V; Riobello, C; Jiménez-Vega, S; Buendia, I; Cañas-Martin, J; Fernández-Susavila, ...
SCIENCE ADVANCES
2024-04-12
Biochemical and structural impact of two novel missense mutations in cystathionine β- synthase gene associated with homocystinuria
Al-Sadeq, DW; Conter, C; Thanassoulas, A; Al-Dewik, N; Safieh-Garabedian, B; Martínez-Cruz, LA; Nasrallah, GK; Astegno, A; Nomikos, M;
BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL
2024-04-02
SUMOylation controls Hu antigen R posttranscriptional activity in liver cancer
Lachiondo-Ortega, S; Rejano-Gordillo, CM; Simon, J; Lopitz-Otsoa, F; Delgado, TC; Mazan-Mamczarz, K; Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, N; Zapata-Pavas, LE; García-del Río, A; Guerra, P; Peña-Sanfélix, ...
CELL REPORTS
2024-03-26
Effect of Gracilaria vermiculophylla Macroalga on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Rats
González-Arceo, M; Aguirre, L; Macarulla, MT; Gil-Pitarch, C; Martínez-Chantar, ML; Portillo, MP; Gómez-Zorita, S;
ANTIOXIDANTS
2024-03-01
p63 controls metabolic activation of hepatic stellate cells and fibrosis via an HER2-ACC1 pathway
Fondevila, MF; Novoa, E; Gonzalez-Rellan, MJ; Fernandez, U; Heras, V; Porteiro, B; Parracho, T; Dorta, V; Riobello, C; Lima, ND; Seoane, S; Garcia-Vence, M; Chantada-Vazquez, MP; Bravo, SB; ...
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
2024-02-20
Anti-miR-873-5p improves alcohol-related liver disease by enhancing hepatic deacetylation via SIRT1
Rodríguez-Agudo, R; González-Recio, I; Serrano-Maciá, M; Bravo, M; Petrov, P; Blaya, D; Herranz, JM; Mercado-Gómez, M; Rejano-Gordillo, CM; Lachiondo-Ortega, S; Gil-Pitarch, C; Azkargorta, M; ...
JHEP REPORTS
2024-01-01
Mitochondrial dysfunction-associated microbiota establishes a transmissible refractory response to anti-TNF therapy during ulcerative colitis
Peña-Cearra, A; Castelo, J; Lavín, JL; Gonzalez-Lopez, M; Pascual-Itoiz, MA; Fuertes, M; de Juan, VG; Bárcena, L; Martín-Ruiz, I; Pellón, A; Seoane, I; Barriales, D; Palacios, A; Fullaondo, ...
GUT MICROBES
2023-12-18
Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensors Illuminate Cellular Magnesium Imbalance in a Model of Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury
Brady, M; Shchepetkina, VI; González-Recio, I; Martínez-Chantar, ML; Buccella, D;
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
2023-10-02
Identification and experimental validation of druggable epigenetic targets in hepatoblastoma
Claveria-Cabello, A; Herranz, JM; Latasa, MU; Arechederra, M; Uriarte, I; Pineda-Lucena, A; Prosper, F; Berraondo, P; Alonso, C; Sangro, B; Marin, JJG; Martinez-Chantar, ML; Ciordia, S; Corrales, ...
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
2023-10-01
Neddylation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 controls glucose metabolism
Gonzalez-Rellan, MJ; Fernández, U; Parracho, T; Novoa, E; Fondevila, MF; Lima, ND; Ramos, L; Rodríguez, A; Serrano-Maciá, M; Perez-Mejias, G; Chantada-Vazquez, P; Riobello, C; Veyrat-Durebex, ...
CELL METABOLISM
2023-09-05
The outcome of boosting mitochondrial activity in alcohol-associated liver disease is organ-dependent
Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, N; Bravo, M; Egia-Mendikute, L; Abecia, L; Serrano-Maciá, M; Urdinguio, RG; Clos-García, M; Rodríguez-Agudo, R; Araujo-Legido, R; López-Bermudo, L; Delgado, TC; Lachiondo-Ortega, ...
HEPATOLOGY
2023-09-01
Hepatocyte-specific O-GlcNAc transferase downregulation ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by improving mitochondrial function
Gonzalez-Rellan, MJ; Parracho, T; Heras, V; Rodriguez, A; Fondevila, MF; Novoa, E; Lima, N; Varela-Rey, M; Senra, A; Chantada-Vazquez, MDP; Ameneiro, C; Bernardo, G; Fernandez-Ramos, D; Lopitz-Otsoa, ...
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
2023-09-01
Dissecting the role of the NADPH oxidase NOX4 in TGF-beta signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma
Espinosa-Sotelo, R; Fusté, NP; Peñuelas-Haro, I; Alay, A; Pons, G; Almodóvar, X; Albaladejo, J; Sánchez-Vera, I; Bonilla-Amadeo, R; Dituri, F; Serino, G; Ramos, E; Serrano, T; Calvo, M; Martínez-Chantar, ...
REDOX BIOLOGY
2023-09-01