WELCOME TO SANCHEZ LOPEZ LAB
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND IMMUNOMETABOLISM LABORATORY
Metabolism is a fundamental process underlying biological functions. Cellular metabolism maps out immune cell state, fate and function, and mediates inflammation, response to infection and tissue repair.Â
The Sanchez Lopez Lab focuses on how the crosstalk between metabolism and signal transduction influence immune cell function in pathological settings.
We approach that from multiple perspectives using a combination of molecular and biochemical techniques, functional assays, genomics, proteomics and metabolomics studies, and immunological analysis, in culture cells, genetically engineered mice and human samples.
We are particularly interested in septic and aseptic inflammatory responses in the joint and other tissues.
We are located in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at University of California San Diego, where we are proud to have created a creative, collaborative, diverse and inclusive scientific environment.
RESEARCH & DISCOVERIES
Current Areas of Study
ROLE OF CHOLINE METABOLISM IN INFLAMMATION AND INFECTION.
Choline uptake and phosphorylation is a common event in many activated cells, including fibroblast, B cells, macrophages and cancer cells. We investigate how choline uptake and phosphorylation in macrophages contribute to synovitis during osteoarthritis, other inflammatory diseases and infection.
MECHANISMS THAT CONTROL METABOLIC REPROGRAMMING IN ACTIVATED MACROPHAGES
Metabolic reprogramming is an important event during macrophage activation. Understanding the regulation of these metabolic adaptations and how they shape macrophage immune function is essential to find new therapeutic intervention with immunomodulatory actions. In this project we investigate how regulation of metabolic pathways interfere with macrophage phenotype and immune function during sterile inflammation and pathogen infection.
