Vicente Pelechano Garcia

*Genomic Science and RNA Biology Lab*

One of the fundamental challenges in biology is understanding why identical cells respond differently to the same stimulus. While this variation can sometimes be attributed to changes in genetic material, even clonal cells—those with identical genomes—can exhibit diverse behaviors. To address this, we develop and employ advanced genomic technologies to investigate the mechanisms underlying differences in gene expression within clonal populations. Our research focuses particularly on understanding post-transcriptional RNA regulation and the interaction between RNA decay and the translation process. Additionally, our group is dedicated to developing innovative molecular diagnostic tools for infectious diseases. Specifically, we investigate:

1.  Molecular bases of non-genetic cellular heterogeneity. We focus on understanding how single-cell variability, cellular plasticity and transcriptional memory contribute to the appearance of drug-tolerant cancer persister cells (i.e. those cells that, although genetically sensitive to a drug, do not respond to it). To reach that goal we combine the dissection of genetic factors controlling non-genetic heterogeneity with the development of novel genome-wide technologies to study this process.
2. Crosstalk between ribosome dynamics and mRNA degradation. We have previously shown how the existence of widespread co-translational mRNA degradation allows to study ribosome dynamics by sequencing mRNA degradation intermediates (5P-Seq). Using that work as staring point, we to dissect the molecular crosstalk between mRNA degradation and ribosome dynamics in multiple organisms. We are characterizing how alterations in the translation process modulates mRNA stability and explore the utility of mRNA degradation signatures as reporters for cellular fitness in multiple organisms (from bacteria to cancer cells).
3. Novel tools for molecular diagnosis. We are using our genomics expertise to improve and develop new molecular diagnosis and clinical genomic tools. We develop sequencing-based approaches to improve cancer-patient stratification and to accelerate the diagnosis of antimicrobial resistant infections.

Our group is affiliated to MTC and the Science for Life Laboratory
(http://scilifelab.se/ [1]) where our lab is located. External group
homepage: http://pelechanolab.com [2]
Photo credit of my portrait: /Magnus Bergström/
[1] http://scilifelab.se/
[2] http://pelechanolab.com/