Bioquímico, Universidad de Chile 1973.
Postdoc Membrane Biochemistry (1974-1979), Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA.
Assistant Professor Harvard University Medical School, Hematology/Oncology Unit (1982-1985).
Profesor Titular, Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile.
Jefe Laboratorio de Biología del Envejecimiento, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile.
Líneas de Investigación
Homeostasis del hierro y las especies reactivas del oxígeno en envejecimiento y procesos neurodegenerativos. Entre los temas que mi laboratorio aborda están:
Hierro y cobre en la producción de estrés oxidativo y envejecimiento celular
Homeostasis del hierro en la función neuronal
Desregulación de la homeostasis del hierro en las enfermedades de Parkinson y Alzheimer. Búsqueda de terapias farmacológicas
Estudio de los mecanismos celulares involucrados en la absorción intestinal del hierro y su desregulación en la Hemocromatosis Hereditaria
Proyectos de investigación vigentes:
- Hepcidin as a mediator of Neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Proyecto colaborativo CONICYT-INSERM. Investigador Responsable Chileno.
- Research Ring on oxidative stress in the nervous system. Physiological and Pathological Aspects. PIA-CONICYT ACT1114 Investigator Principal (2012-2015).
- Disruption of the oxidative stress-iron accumulation cycle as a strategy for decreasing dopaminergic neuron death in experimental models of Parkinson´s disease- FONDECYT 1130068 (2013-2017).
Publicaciones Recientes
Esparza A, Gerdtzen ZP, Olivera-Nappa A, Salgado JC, Nunez MT. 2015. “Iron-induced reactive oxygen species mediate transporter DMT1’s endocytosis and iron uptake in intestinal epithelial cells”. Am J Physiol Cell. ISSN: 0363-6143. IF: 3.78
Wilson, C., Nunez, M.T and Gonzalez-Billault, C. 2015. “Contribution of NADPH oxidase (NOX) to the establishment of hippocampal neuronal polarity”. J CELL SCI. ISSN: 1477-9137. IF: 5.4.
Mena, N.P., Urrutia, P., Lourido, F., Carrasco, C. and Núñez, M.T. 2015. “Mitochondrial iron homeostasis and its dysfunctions in neurodegenerative disorders”. MITOCHONDRION. ISSN: 1567-7249. IF: 3.249
Alvarado-Díaz CP, Núñez MT, Devoto L, González-Ramos R. 2015. “Iron overload-modulated nuclear factor kappa-B activation in human endometrial stromal cells as a mechanism postulated in endometriosis pathogenesis”. FERTIL STERIL. ISSN: 0015-0282. IF: 4.590
García-Beltrán, O., Santos J.G., Fuentealba, S., De la Torre, P., Pavez, P., Mena, N.P., Nuñez, M.T., Aliaga, M.E. 2015. “A Mechanism study of the thiol-addition reaction to benzothiazole derivative for sensing endogenous thiols”. TETRAHEDRON LETTERS. ISSN: 0040-4039. IF: 2.379
San Martín, C.D., Paula-Lima, A.C., García, A., Hartel, S., Núñez, M.T. and Hidalgo, C. 2014. “Ryanodine receptor-mediated Ca2+ release underlies iron-induced mitochondrial fission and stimulates mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in primary hippocampal neurons”. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE. ISSN: 1662-5099. IF: 4.1
Urrutia , P. J.; Mena N. P., Núñez, M. T. 2014. “The interplay between iron accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation during the execution step of neurodegenerative disorders”. FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY. ISSN: 1663-9812 IF: 3.8
García-Beltrán, O., Cassels, B.K., Mena, N., Nuñez, M.T., Yañez, O., Caballero, J. A. 2014. “A coumarinylaldoxime as a specific sensor for Cu2+ and its biological application”. TETRAHEDRON LETTERS. ISSN: 0040-4039. IF: 2.379
García-Beltrán O., Cassels B.K., Pérez C., Mena N, Núñez M.T., Martínez N.P., Pavez P., Aliaga M.E. 2014. “Coumarin-Based Fluorescent Probes for Dual Recognition of Copper(II) and Iron(III) Ions and Their Application in Bio-Imaging”. SENSORS. ISSN: 1414-8220. IF: 2.245
García-Beltrán, O., Mena, N.P., Yañez, O., Caballero, J., Vargas, V., Nuñez, M.T., Cassels, B.K. 2013. “Design, synthesis and cellular dynamics studies in membranes of a new coumarin-based “turn-off” fluorescent probe selective for Fe2+”. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY. ISSN: 0223-5234. IF: 3.447