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Sloan-Kettering Institute // Alexandra Joyner

Alberto Roselló-Díez, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Office Phone:

212-639-3980

E-mail:

roselloa@mskcc.org

Education and Training

June 2012 - Present

Research Fellow, SKI Developmental Biology Program, Joyner Lab

February 2008 - June 2012

Predoctoral/Postdoctoral Researcher, CNIC, Madrid

December 2010

PhD in Molecular Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

September 2005 - April 2007

Predoctoral Researcher, National Center for Biotechnology, Madrid

June 2005

Masters in Biochemistry, Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain)

Research Interests

My main goal is to study why our limbs are so equal in size, which is a key feature for efficient locomotion and interaction with the environment. Growth of the long bones takes place at the so-called growth plate (GP), which is capable of considerable regulation to compensate for transient growth anomalies (a phenomenon known as catch-up growth (CUG)); however, no existing model can explain all of the observed situations. A systemic, hormone-based model fails to explain experimental CUG occurring only in one GP, while an alternative model in which the total number of cell cycle rounds is autonomously regulated at each GP cannot explain the most common type of CUG in which the growth rate increases beyond the normal levels for any stage. Thus, we hypothesize that there is an active left-right communication system capable of comparing bone size on both sides of the body and triggering local compensation mechanisms at the level of each individual GP. The potential size-sensing and size-compensation mechanisms will be studied in two situations: 1) Normal growth scenario in which we will alter the levels of candidate molecules pharmacologically and genetically, focusing on their effect on left-right asymmetry. 2) A unilateral CUG scenario using new genetic tools to transiently increase or decrease size in only one side of the body, allowing to compare the response of left and right limbs.

Publications by Alberto Roselló-Díez

Roselló-Díez, A., Ros, M.A. and Torres, M. “Diffusible signals, not autonomous mechanisms, determine the main proximo-distal limb subdivision” Science. 2011 May 27;332(6033):1086-8

Roselló-Díez, A. and Torres, M. “Regulative patterning in limb bud transplants is induced by distalizing activity of AER signals on host limb cells” Dev Dyn. 2011 May;240(5):1203-11

asymmetry (ay-SIH-meh-tree)

Lack or absence of balanced proportions between parts of a thing.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cell (sel)

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

experimental (ek-SPAYR-ih-men-tul)

In clinical trials, refers to a drug (including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or procedure that has undergone basic laboratory testing and received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be tested in human subjects. A drug or procedure may be approved by the FDA for use in one disease or condition, but be considered experimental in other diseases or conditions. Also called investigational.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetic (jeh-NEH-tik)

Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

M

In chemistry, M is the amount of a substance that has 6.023 x 10(23) atoms or molecules of that substance. Also called mole (chemical).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

response (reh-SPONTS)

In medicine, an improvement related to treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

stage (stayj)

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

systemic (sis-TEH-mik)

Affecting the entire body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

unilateral (YOO-nih-LA-teh-rul)

Having to do with one side of the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

will (wil)

A legal document in which a person states what is to be done with his or her property after death, who is to carry out the terms of the will, and who is to care for any minor children.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)