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Maria Carolina Gallego-Iradi

Assistant Scientist, University of Florida

Gallego-Iradi's work is focused on understanding the molecular processes by which specific mutant proteins adopt disease-specific conformations and to define the mechanisms by which these altered proteins lead to the dysfunction and death of specific populations of nerve cells. This work involves in vitro models, in which the introduction of mutant human genes elicits a disorder that resembles the human disease by examining the effect of mutations on the function and biology of the mutated proteins. Collectively, these approaches provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of disease and have the potential to identify new therapeutic strategies for these disorders. I am working on Matrin3, a relatively new discovered RNA- and DNA-binding protein that interacts with TDP-43, a disease protein linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia and Distal Myopathy. I seek to determine the function of Matrin3 normal, and mutant protein to understand the effect of mutations on cellular function and to do this, I use a wide range of approaches that encompass biology, chemistry and genetics; including CRISPR technology.

Experience

  • 2016–present
    Assistant scientist, University of Florida
  • 2012–2016
    Postdoctoral associate, University of Florida
  • 2006–2008
    Professor, Universidad UNEFA
  • 2001–2007
    Professor, Universidad de Oriente (Venezuela)

Education

  • 2007 
    Town Hall of Porlamar” (Margarita Island, Venezuela) , Medal of Honour for Merit
  • 2005 
    Universidad De Zaragoza (Spain), PhD Genetics and development cum laude
  • 2003 
    Universidad Internacional de Andalucia (Spain), Master Waste and Management honors
  • 1999 
    Universidad de Oriente (Venezuela), Msc. Marine Biology cum laude