About
Marta Llimargas
The Cell and Tissue Research in Catalonia (CATCAT) network embraces several groups from research institutes and University departments of excellence in Barcelona, including the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) site in Barcelona, the Department of Health and Life Sciences at the University Pompeu Fabra (UPF), the Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB), the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG).
CATCAT brings together research groups focusing on understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms driving fundamental biological processes.
Research focuses on membranes, lipids, cell division and growth, cell migration, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and nuclear organization, spanning all biological scales from molecules to cells, tissues and organisms, using a wide variety of model organisms (from yeast, Drosophila to mouse) and advanced technologies.
Research in the CATCAT network is highly interdisciplinary, building bridges with physics, mathematics and engineering.
The main goals of the network are:
- Increasing national and international visibility of cell and tissue biology research groups in Barcelona, showing also the value of fundamental research in this area.
- Attracting talent and increasing critical mass in cell and tissue biology in the city.
- Facilitating exchange of knowledge, expertise and reagents, and collaborations in cell and tissue biology among the community.
The CATCAT Steering Group consists of at least one representative from each of the affiliated institutes and is responsible for the general direction and organization of CATCAT and its events. Current steering group members include:
- Vivek Malhotra (CRG, chair)
- Maria Bernabeu (EMBL)
- Jens Luders (IRB)
- Xavier Trepat (IBEC)
- Oriol Gallego (UPF)
- Maribel Geli (IBMB-CSIC)
- Felix Campelo (ICFO)
Amy Curwin and Michela Bertero at CRG manage the community and the network.
Keywords: membranes, lipids, cell division and growth, cell migration, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and nuclear organization
Cristina Pujades
Filopodia
Stills from in vivo life imaging of cells at the tip of tracheal branches of Drosophila embryos. Filopodia are visualised using SrcGFP expressed in tracheal cells.
Pilar Okenve-Ramos (Llimargas lab)
Mechanisms of Morphogenesis and Organogenesis lab
Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (IBMB), CSIC-PCB
