Académicos Depto Biologia

Email: 
juan.garcia-huidobro@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 144
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Señalización por ATP extracelular
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Postdoctorado, Department of Pharmacology, New York University, (NYU), USA (1979-1980)Postdoctorado, Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco Med Center (UCSF), USA (1978 – 1979)
Doctor en Farmacología, University of California, San Francisco Med Center, USA (1978)
Licenciado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (1971)
Email: 
jaime.eugenin@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 096

The Laboratory of Neural Systems is devoted to the study of the genesis and the regulation of the respiratory rhythm in mammalian neonates. Our long-term goal is to determine the biological basis underlying the effects of perinatal nicotine exposure upon the neonatal respiratory neural network. This approach is a paradigm for studying the mechanisms that relate a known population risk, as maternal tobacco smoking, with a higher rate of central nervous system disfunctions as those observed in the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. We combine electrophysiological and morphological techniques using in vivo as well in vitro preparations (isolated brainstem-spinal cord preparation and brainstem slices).

Línea(s) de investigación: 
Neurociencias
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas, mención en Ciencias Fisiológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Médico-Cirujano, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 1984
Email: 
francisco.cubillos.r@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
227 181 083

Abstract:

Dr. Francisco A. Cubillos is a distinguished scientist with a strong background in Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Ecology. He earned his PhD in 2010 from the University of Nottingham, UK, working under the esteemed supervision of Prof. Edward J. Louis and Dr. Gianni Liti. During his doctoral studies, Dr. Cubillos focused on unraveling the genetic architecture of complex traits in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. His research played a pivotal role in identifying key genes responsible for phenotypic variations among strains. This work led to the publication of nine impactful manuscripts, showcasing his expertise and contributions to the field.

After completing his PhD, Dr. Cubillos pursued postdoctoral research at the INRA-Versailles Research Centre in Paris, France. Under the mentorship of Dr. Olivier Loudet, he explored the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana, investigating natural variation in expression traits and the role of non-coding regions in plant adaptation to extreme environments, specifically drought stress. Driven by his passion for understanding the molecular basis of expression differences, he employed cutting-edge 'omics' approaches such as RNA-Seq, DNA-Seq, and epigenome sequencing. It was during this time that Dr. Cubillos received a prestigious returning grant from CONICYT, allowing him to return to Chile and establish his own research group.

Currently, Dr. Cubillos leads a dynamic research line that combines Ecology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology. His primary focus lies in studying native ethanol-tolerant yeast from Patagonia, with an emphasis on species such as S. eubayanus, S. uvarum, and L. cidri. The Cubillos lab is actively engaged in multiple ongoing projects aimed at generating novel lager hybrids by leveraging the vast genetic diversity of S. eubayanus from Patagonia. These initiatives involve utilizing diverse genetic improvement techniques, transitioning from studying yeast ecology in the wild to exploring their biotechnological applications.

Dr. Cubillos' exceptional research contributions have been recognized through numerous research and international collaboration grants. His notable accolades include being named an EMBO Global Investigator, a TWAS Young Affiliate, and receiving the distinguished titles of 2022 Best Chilean Young Scientist and Ciencia de Frontera Researcher by the National Science Academy. So far, Dr Cubillos has published over 50 WoS Manuscripts.

Dr. Cubillos' research endeavors continue to push the boundaries of knowledge in his field, fostering collaborations, and driving advancements in Ecology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology.

Línea(s) de investigación: 
Genética Molecular
Jerarquía: 
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación: 
PhD en Genética, Universidad de Nottingham
Magister en Cs Biológicas c/m Microbiología, Universidad de Chile
Licenciado en Ingenería en Biotecnología Molecular, Universidad de Chile
Email: 
milena.cotoras@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
227 181 062

The aim of the Laboratory of Mycology is to study new natural compounds with antifungal activity against the phytophatogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea and also to determine the mechanisms in the adhesion and germination process, early steps in the infection of their host. These studies constitute the essential scientific basis to design new strategies to control this pathogen.

Línea(s) de investigación: 
Mecanismo de infección y control del hongo fitopatógeno Botrytis cinerea
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias con mención en Biología, Universidad de Chile, 1994
Bioquímico, Universidad de Chile, 1983
Email: 
marcelo.cortez@usach.cl
director.biologia@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 114

Our interest is the study of animal viruses with strong emphasis in Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV)

  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Vaccine development
  • Collection and testing of antiviral from natural source
  • Molecular studies of ribonucleoprotein complex
  • Molecular studies of fusion and hemagglutinin proteins
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Biología Molecular de Virus Animales
Jerarquía: 
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 2006
Bioquímico, Universidad de Santiago, 2002
Email: 
luis.constandil@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
227 181 092

Up today there exist a number of drugs able to inhibit the acute pain. Nevertheless, these drugs are not capable of inhibiting completely chronic pain types. Even though there exist abundant knowledge about the pain pathways to the cerebral cortex,   neither the neurotransmitters participating in these pathways nor the regulatory mechanisms involved is known. Furthermore, quite a few is also known about the mechanisms involved in the codification and discrimination of tactile and painful sensations. Additionally, is also poorly understood the plastic changes involved in the response of the organism to chronic pain. This kind of interrogate has leaded our Lab to the study chronic neuropathic and arthritic chronic pain in animal models. A typical chronic pain is produced during a migraine episode. Once initiated, this pain is maintained in time due to peripheral and central sensitization. Even though the physiopathology of migraine has been deeply studied, their genesis and the mechanisms of central sensitization are still unknown. Into this topic, we development an system for long lasting drug delivery based in polymeric nanoparticle.

Línea(s) de investigación: 
Fisiopatología y neuroplasticidad en el dolor crónico
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias Biologicas, P. Universidad Catolica de Chile, 1997
Biologo, P. Universidad Catolica de Chile, 1990
Email: 
renato.chavez@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
227 181 091

Research

In our Basic and Applied Microbiology lab, we are currently interesting in the study of the effect of several genes on the development in fungi, the expression of fungal proteins with biotechnology potential, the secondary metabolism of fungi, and the ecology and biotechnology of yeasts and fungi isolated from Antarctic environments. For these purposes, genetic engineering, bioinformatics and microbiology skills are used, and collaboration programs with national and foreign researches have been established.

Línea(s) de investigación: 
Genética y Microbiología de hongos filamentosos, microbiología antártica.
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor (Ph. D.) en Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2002.
Bioquímico, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, 1995
Email: 
sergio.castro@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
227 181 168

Research

We investigate patterns, processes and mechanisms affecting biodiversity at different levels of organization, using the global change as context

Línea(s) de investigación: 
Ecología
Jerarquía: 
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas con mención en Ecología, 2007
Biología, Pontificia Universidad de Católica de Chile, 1992
Email: 
antonio.castillo@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
227 181 089
Línea(s) de investigación: 
* Virología de hongos. Caracterización molecular de virus fúngicos de RNA de doble hebra que infectan al hongo fitopatógeno Botrytis cinerea. Análisis de la organización genética y de las estrategias de expresión de los genomas micovirales.
* Biofungicidas. Aislamiento, caracterización, formulación y validación de microrganismos con actividad fungicida para el control biológico de hongos fitopatógenos.
* Nanotecnología. Biosíntesis y caracterización de nanopartículas metálicas por microrganismos (bacterias, levaduras, hongos filamentosos) y vegetales.
* Control biológico de bacterias fitopatógenas. Aislamiento, caracterización, formulación y validación de bacteriófagos con actividad bacteriolítica para el control biológico de bacterias fitopatógenas.
* Expresión de genes en bacterias y levaduras. Construcción de clones recombinantes, análisis y caracterización de productos génicos de interés en ciencia básica y/o aplicada.
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Biología, Universidad de Chile, 1996.
Bioquímico, Universidad de Chile, 1987.
Email: 
felipe.arenass@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
227 181 117

Nuestra investigación se centra en identificar y caracterizar bacterias resistentes a metal(oid)es, capaces de biotransformar iones metálicos solubles, ya sea por reducción y/o precipitación en “nanoclusters” de metales insolubles no tóxicos. Permitiendo potenciales aplicaciones en nuevas estrategias de biorremediación, bioacumulación o en la generación de nanopartículas de metales de interés biotecnológico.

Nuestro trabajo se enfoca en las siguientes áreas:

  •   Microbiología básica y aplicada.
  •   Mecanismos de toxicidad y resistencia bacteriana a metal(oid)es.
  •   Biosíntesis de nanoestructuras utilizando flavoproteínas reductoras de metal(oid)es.
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Microbiología molecular; Bio-reducción de metal(oid)es; Biotecnología.
Jerarquía: 
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Microbiología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, 2010.
Bioquímico, Universidad de Santiago de Chile,2005.
Licenciado en Bioquímica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, 2005

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