Biosketch

2025 - Group Leader – Quantitative Cell Biology programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, Spain
2022 - 2025 Researcher co-Investigator – Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
2019 - 2021 Ramón Areces fellow, Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK.
2018 - 2025 Postdoctoral researcher, Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK.
2014 - 2018 PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) – Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain.
 

Summary

Mitochondrial and mtDNA dynamics

Evolved from bacterial ancestors, mitochondria sustain eukaryotic life by generating energy through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Beyond ATP production, they act as signaling hubs that communicate with the rest of the cell to regulate diverse functions such as metabolism, immunity, and cell fate. Rather than existing as isolated organelles, mitochondria form a highly interconnected network that constantly undergoes fission (division) and fusion (joining) (see figure). These processes, collectively known as mitochondrial dynamics, are essential for maintaining organelle health, supporting cellular adaptation, and facilitating the removal of damaged mitochondria through mitophagy. It is well established that mitochondrial dynamics progressively decline with age and in many diseases. Understanding how to preserve or restore these processes is therefore a central goal of our research.

Mitochondria also harbor their own genome, the mtDNA. Over the course of evolution, most mitochondrial genes were either lost or transferred to the nucleus, leaving behind a small circular DNA molecule of 16.6 kb in mammals. Unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA replicates continuously and independently of the cell cycle (relaxed replication), producing hundreds to thousands of genome copies per cell (see figure). However, the mechanisms and factors that determine the precise mtDNA copy number in each cell remain poorly understood. Clarifying this is crucial, as mtDNA imbalance is linked to a wide spectrum of human diseases, from rare genetic disorders to common age-related conditions.

To address these longstanding questions, our lab employs cutting-edge methodologies, including advanced and super-resolution (SR) microscopy, genomics, proteomics, high-throughput screening, and comparative evolutionary analyses, using both basic and patient-derived models.

SR live-cell imaging of the mitochondrial network in motion marked with TOM20-StayGold (left) and SR imaging showing the coexistence of two DNA populations (identified with an anti-dsDNA antibody) within the same cell: nuclear (n) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA (right). Tábara et al., Cell, 2024.

Collaborating for a cure: integrating diagnostics and cell biology

To cure disease, it is imperative to understand how cells function at the most fundamental level. As cell biologists, we specialize in elucidating the molecular functions of novel genes involved in disease, helping to clarify the underlying mechanisms of pathology.

Our vision is to build a cross-disciplinary consortium in which diagnostic units, clinicians, and cell biologists work together to accelerate the translation of discoveries from bench to bedside. If you share our mission and are interested in collaborating, please get in touch!
 

Job openings

We are a growing team and are always keen to hear from prospective scientists at any level – from students to postdocs – who are passionate about science and interested in any aspect of mitochondrial research.