J. Manuel Hernández-Hernández, PhD

Principal Investigator, Professor.

J. Manuel Hernández, PhD, holds a SNI-II level at the National system of investigators from CONACYT and is a full time Professor of Genetics and Molecular Biology at the Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) in México City.  

Dr. Hernández earned his PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He then joined the lab of Professor Anthony N. Imbalzano at the University of Massachusetts Medical School to study transcriptional regulation during skeletal myogenesis. Later on, he worked as research associate in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Rudnicki at the Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research in Ottawa, Canada, where he focused on the study of transcriptional regulation, long-range chromatin organization and genome topology controlling muscle stem cells function.  

In 2018, Dr. Hernández established his independent research group at the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology at the Centre for Research on Aging in Mexio City. 

María Luisa Benítez Hess, PhD

Research Assistant 

Maria Luisa was born in Mexico City, she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, in Mexico City. For few years she was involved in projects at the Nacional Cancer institute, using different drugs targeting tumoral cancer cell. Viewing her interest in drug interaction she became master’s degree student in the Pharmacology department at Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav), developing a virtual model to assess the pharmacological bioequivalence between generic and patented drugs, by simulating the pharmacological effect, this project was developed in collaboration with the pharmacology department of the faculty of Medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Later earned her PhD in Biological and health sciences with a molecular biology degree from de National Autonomous University of Mexico, in Mexico City. As a PhD student she received a special honor recognition for her studies and doctoral thesis, as well she was awarded with the Alfonso Caso medal, given by the University Council from the National University of Mexico. Also was awarded with the Weizmann-Kahn in 2004 by the Mexican Academy of Science and by the Mexican Association of friends from the Weizmann Institute. Won the postulation to participated in the Ignite program supported by the business training center at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, England. Actually, she is hired as a full-time research assistant of the Genetics and Molecular Biology Department at the Cinvestav.  Participates in different projects at Hernández lab, teaches and supervises graduate and undergraduate students for the fulfillment of their projects. 

She participated in the development of a reporter system using FRET to evaluate the activity of antisense molecules, Ribozymes and Dnazymes targeting genes of the human papilloma virus, expression, purification and isolation of viral capsids of the human papilloma virus, characterization of the interaction between human papilloma pseudo viruses and gold nanoparticles, characterization of transcription regulation involving Catsper genes, recombinant protein expression and isolation and genetic engineering. 

Magally Ramírez Ramíez, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Magally earened her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UNAM.

She has been working on skeletal muscle for eight years. Her research focuses on epigenetic regulation during skeletal muscle repair in different muscle diseases. 

Rodolfo Daniel Ávila-Avilés

PhD Student

Daniel earned his undergraduate degree in Biotechnology from the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico and Philosophy from the Vasco de Quiroga University. He completed a Masters in Genetics and Molecular Biology at Cinvestav. As a PhD student in the Hernández Lab, Daniel´s research focuses on resolving the interactome associated with the mutant-ATXN7 mRNA in the context of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7), using CRISPR-Cas13 technology. 

Daniel also contributes in the identification of small molecules with potential activity in muscle differentiation and regeneration through molecular docking and molecular dynamics.

Amairani Cancino-Bello

PhD Student

Amairani is from Guerrero, México. She earned her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology from the Autonomous University of México, in México City. 

Her research focuses on the study of long non-coding RNAs with regulatory functions in skeletal muscle differentiation. 

Mauricio Hernández-Somilleda

PhD Student

Mauricio is from México City. He earned his bachelor's in Biotechnology from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara.

Mauricio's project focuses on applying CRISPR-Cas9 technology to identify chromatin remodeling complexes and transcription factors present at gene regulatory elements that control expression of genes important for skeletal muscle regeneration. 

Ana Victoria Arredondo-Robles

PhD Student

Victoria earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology from the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, and a Master's Degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology at Cinvestav. 

Her work focuses on studying Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7), using a model where fibroblasts are reprogrammed into neurons through a small-molecule cocktail. By analyzing these converted neurons, we aim to identify potential therapeutic targets and deepen our understanding of this challenging condition.

Marco Jácome del Ángel

PhD Student

Marco is from México City. He earned his bachelor's degree in Engineering in Biotechnology from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education with a specialization in Molecular Biology.

He also completed a Masters in Genetics and Molecular Biology at Cinvestav.

His research focuses on implementing the CRISPR/Cas13 system in a SCA7 fibroblast model to degrade the ATXN7 mRNA

Manuel Gutiérrez-Rodríguez

Master’s Student

Manuel is from Toluca, Mexico. His research focuses on the discovery, identification, characterization, and evaluation of novel small-molecules with the potential to enhance muscle ​d​differentiation ​an​​d regeneration, particularly in scenarios of compromised muscle integrity. 

Employing molecular docking, molecular dynamics and molecular biology techniques, Manuel seeks to develop innovative strategies to unlock new avenues for treating degenerative muscular disorders. ​

Misael Sánchez-Morales

Master’s Student

Misael Sánchez is from Tlaxcala, México.  He earned his undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology at the Metropolitan Autonomous University. 

His research focuses on the identification of the proteome associated to MyoD - MUNC eRNA isoforms and their roles during the myogenic process, using a dCas13a system.

Jaime Falcón

Master’s Student

Jaime is from La Comarca Lagunera Mexico. 

He earned his undergraduate degree in Biotechnology Engineering from the Autonomous University of Gomez Palacio in 2021.

His research focuses on the study of microRNAs with regulatory functions in muscle atrophy applying wet lab and dry lab techniques.

Aline Cristina Cazares Solis

Master's Student

Aline, originally from Mexico City, holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry from the Metropolitan Autonomous University. Her research investigates the molecular mechanisms through which epicatechin could potentially treat muscle atrophy.