Hello, I am Julia, a 30 year old post-doctoral researcher from Spain. I am a Biomedical Engineer and I finished my PhD in Clinical Medicine and Public Health in march 2023 at the University of Granada. I am currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in EEZ-CSIC, at the Spanish National Research Council. I have been working for 6+ years in new nutraceutical therapies, from legume seeds, particularly blue lupin, for the treatment of different cancers. The aim of my research is to improve conventional therapies and to implement a more personalized medicine, promoting the use of technology and interdisciplinarity in cientifical research. During my postdoctoral stage, I will continue my work on nutraceutics and cancer research, exploring the application of compounds derived from legume seeds as promising treatments, while starting a new research project, applying bioinformatics and sequencing knowledge to develop new methods for the detection and identification of pathogens in early stages of infection of crops with agro-industrial interest. Concurrently, I am also pursuing a master's degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics. I consider myself a perfectionist, persevering, and very sociable person, with a passion for continuous learning and leadership.
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Nutraceutical properties of Narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus Angustifolius L.) β-conlgutin seed proteins and their potential role in the treatment of breast cancer
Breast cancer (BC) poses a significant global health challenge, being the most prevalent tumor in women and the second most common cancer worldwide. Despite advancements in therapies, the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) contributes to relapse, metastases, and treatment resistance. Between 30-50% of BC patients develop metastasis, highlighting the urgent need for more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Plant-based nutraceutical compounds, particularly legume seed proteins like those from the genus Lupinus, offer potential therapeutic strategies. This study focused on Narrow-leafed lupin (NLL) β-conglutin proteins, specifically β1, β3, and β6, known for their anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Proteins were purifies by affinity-chromatography and their impact on BC cell lines was assessed. Results revealed decreased viability and proliferation, increased apoptosis, regulation of ROS levels, and anti-stemness effects in BC cell lines. Importantly, these proteins demonstrated cytotoxicity against BC cells at very low concentrations while preserving healthy cell viability. The mechanism involves the regulation of tumorigenic and stemness-related genes like SIRT1 and FoxO1, depending on p53 status. This groundbreaking work identifies for the first time NLL β-conglutin proteins as potential anti-BC agents, offering a unique strategy for BC management. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, paving the way for their application in inhibiting other cancer cell types.