Vera García-Outeiral & Cristina Ameneiro

DNMT2 exerts both m5C-dependent and independent functions to regulate early cell differentiation and oncogenic processes

Maintenance of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and tumors are highly comparable processes with striking similarities. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying both events might provide a powerful tool to better understand tumor biology. Here, we show that DNMT2 contributes to coordinating gene expression programs that are essential to preserve pluripotency features and avoid oncogenic transformation events.

CV highlights:

• 2013-2017: Biology Degree, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
• 2017-2018: Master in Biomedical Research, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
• 2020-2022: Master in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)/Universitat de Barcelona (UB)
• 2018-present: PhD Student (FPU Fellowship)

Vera García-Outeiral

Dissecting the role of CCM proteins in pluripotency and endothelial specification

Loss-of-function mutations in Ccm genes cause cerebral cavernous malformations by hampering endothelial specification, leading to altered endothelial cell barrier function. Here, we benefit from embryonic stem cells to study endothelial specification in vitro. Even though Ccm genes are not essential for the maintenance of pluripotency, they are crucial for proper differentiation and EPC specification

CV highlights:

• 2011-2016: Grado en Biología, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
• 2016-2017: Máster en Investigación Biomédica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
• 2017-presente: Doctorado en Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

Cristina Ameneiro