The Laboratori de Genètica Molecular of the Institute of Biomedical Research "August Pi i Sunyer" is at the Department of Physiological Sciences of the University of Barcelona. The goal of our research group is the understanding of the mechanisms involved in gene expression during spermatogenesis. Our most recent papers deal with the expression of the following genes in male germ cells: ubiquitin family, chicken orthologue of the mouse quaking gene, Bc1-2 and Bcl-xL, aB-crystallin and carbonic anhydrase II. Using cell differentiation during spermatogenesis as a research model we are particularly interested in post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene expression. We have found a remarkable number of transcript variants during avian spermatogenesis. The mechanisms that introduce variability in the transcripts may be crucial to understand the pathogenesis of several diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative syndromes.

Our laboratory offers possibilities for training to summer students and to researchers at pre- and postdoctoral levels. We program short training courses on topics and methodologies of Molecular Genetics. If you like to know more about our current research projects and training courses contact us at: http://www.physiolgenet.com

(this announcement has been sponsored by GENCIBIO)