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Dr. Margarita Montoya Kunsting

Charge: 
Biology Department. Cellular Biochemistry Laboratory margarita.m
E-mail: 
margarita.montoya@usach.cl
Biography: 

Biochemistry. Universidad de Santiago de Chile. Doctor in Biomedical Sciences. Universidad de  Chile. Guest researcher at the Laboratory of Molecular  Technology. National Cancer Institute of  Frederick, NIH. MD, USA.

Research Area: 
Study of cell signaling in cells of the immune  system. We have mainly focused on cytokine mediated signaling in NK cells and its impact on the  activation and functionality of these cells. But, in  addition, our interest is to understand how these  signaling pathways induce changes in cell  metabolism and thus generate various effector  phenotypes and sustain the activity of these cells. As part of our interest, we are also interested in  studying how the deregulation of these signaling  pathways may be involved in immunosenescence  and in pathological contexts such as cancer. In the case of cancer, we are also interested in  delving into the mechanisms that lead to changes  in the metabolism of these cells and how they can  impact the generation of various phenotypes and  tumor progression
Projects: 

Researcher in charge:

  • 2020 – 2022 DICYT USACH 022043MK “Estudio de una nueva  vía de señalización celular activada por IL-2 y su  efecto en la activación de células NK de ratón”.
  • 2017 – 2019  DICYT USACH 021743MK
  • 2012 – 2015 Proyecto FIA PYT-2012-0023. Desarrollo de una  formulación a base de extractos de plantas  destinado al control del estrés y a mejorar la  sobrevida de salmones durante el proceso de  esmoltificación.
  • 2011 – 2013 Fondecyt 11110401. Participation of mitochondrial  biogenesis in human NK cell function. Implication  in immunosenescence.

Co-Researcher:

  • 2016 – 2018 Fondecyt 1161006. Studies on the genetic basis of  Infectious Salmon Anemia virus virulence:  understanding virulence switching in piscine  orthomyxovirus. Co-Investigador.
  • 2012 – 2015 Proyecto FIA PYT-2012-0022. Desarrollo de un  sistema basado en inmunoterapia celular para  mejorar la respuesta inmune de las vacunas veterinarias: una oportunidad para controlar el  riesgo del virus ISA como reservorio en sistemas  dulceacuícolas y marinos
  • 2011 – 2014 Fondecyt 1110734. Use of cell bodies expressing  viral fusogenic proteins to induce cross presentation and immunostimulation in vivo. A  mechanism to improve antitumoral therapy.