News
Dolores Ortiz (UV): “AI will help us stop fibrosis in inflammatory bowel diseases”
World Microbiome Day is commemorated every June 27th; however, to comprehend what it entails, one must first understand the microbiota, the host environment where it is located. This is a complex ecosystem that inhabits ‘our body,’ consisting of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, among other species. As Universitat de València professor Dolores Ortiz explains, this community […]
Postgrad stay in another lab
Our postgraduate researcher Andrea Cejudo Garcés is currently carrying out a research stay at University Hospital Zurich, in the laboratory of Gerhard Rogler and Martin Hausmann. Their internationally renowned group specializes in intestinal inflammation, fibrosis, and the tumour microenvironment, with a particular focus on pH-sensitive receptors and their role in colorectal cancer. During her stay, […]
I Internacional Symposium Pathophysiology in Cardiometabolic Dideases, Valencia, Spain 25-26 June 2026
Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) is a clinical syndrome driven by genetic factors (heredity), environmental influences, and behavioral components, together with key metabolic abnormalities such as obesity, hyperglycaemia, and features of the metabolic syndrome. CMD encompasses conditions including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, coronary heart disease, stroke, and other related disorders. Its incidence rises progressively with age and represents […]
Se busca candidato o candidata para solicitar una beca para realizar la tesis doctoral en el área de Farmacología
El candidato se incorporará a la Unidad de Farmacología Digestiva e Inflamatoria del Departamento de Farmacología de la Facultad de Medicina y Odontología de la Universitat de València, dentro de la línea de investigación liderada por la Prof. Ángeles Álvarez Ribelles y el Dr. Víctor Collado Díaz. Nuestra línea de investigación se centra en el […]
Se busca candidato o candidata para solicitar una beca para realizar la tesis doctoral en el área del cáncer
Línea de investigación El grupo investiga los mecanismos celulares, epigenéticos y metabólicos que provocan el cáncer colorrectal y tumores pediátricos raros, como el hepatoblastoma. Mediante tecnologías de vanguardia, como la transcriptómica espacial y de single cell, el perfilado de exosomas o el análisis del microbioma y el metaboloma, exploramos cómo la edad, la plasticidad celular […]
A candidate is sought to apply for a Sara Borrell postdoctoral contract (3-year duration) in the upcoming AESI 2026 call
Research line The laboratory investigates the cellular, epigenetic and metabolic mechanisms underlying colorectal cancer and rare pediatric tumors, such as hepatoblastoma. Using cutting-edge technologies, including spatial and single-cell transcriptomics, exosome profiling, and microbiome and metabolome analyses, we explore how factors such as age, cellular plasticity, and the tumor microenvironment influence cancer progression and resistance to […]
Call for Candidates to Apply for a Sara Borrell Contract (3-year duration) – AESI 2026 Call
Research LineThe selected candidate will join the Digestive and Inflammatory Pharmacology Unit of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, within the research line led by Prof. Ángeles Álvarez Ribelles and Dr. Víctor Collado Díaz.Our research focuses on the study of novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in cardiac fibrosis […]
AFCV 2024 Doctoral Thesis
The Academy of Pharmacy of the Valencian Community has awarded the AFCV 2024 Doctoral Thesis prize to Dr. Ángela Moragrega Escolano, for her thesis “Study of the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic response of rilpivirine in non-parenchymal liver cells”, directed by Ana Blas-Gracia, Nadezda Apostolova and Juan Vicente Esplugues. Congratulate Ángela on Facebook
New Doctor
Congratulations to Sandra Coll Puig, who recently defended superbly her doctoral thesis “Study of etiopathogenic mechanisms modulating endothelial function in Crohn’s disease“, supervised by Sara Calatayud Romero. Congratulate Sandra on Facebook
El 3rd International Workshop on Liver and Gut Fibrosis
The 3rd International Workshop on Liver and Gut Fibrosis – an initiative of our group- was held on 16 and 17 October 2025 in Valencia, where scientists and clinicians came together to explore how fibrosis — the harmful build up of scart issue — affects the liver and digestive tract. Participants shared the latest discoveries […]
Another Full Professor in the group
Enhorabuena a nuestra compañera Nadezda Apostolova, quien recientemente se convirtió en Catedrática de Farmacología de la Universidad de Valencia. Congratulate Nadezda on Facebook
We are looking for a highly motivated predoctoral student to apply for competitive PhD contracts and join our research group within the Digestive and Inflammatory Pharmacology Unit at the University of Valencia, in Valencia, Spain.
More information here.
Doctoral thesis
Congratulations to our colleague Ana María Benedicto Elena, who has defended beautifully her doctoral thesis “Characterisation of the anti-fibrogenic effect of rilpivirine in liver fibrosis: impact on stellate cell phenotype and communication.” Congratulate Ana María on Facebook
Another doctoral thesis defended
Congratulations to our colleague Raquel Ortega Luna for the excellent defence of her thesis “Study of the effect of the drugs losartan and nintedanib on cardiac fibrosis.” Congratulate Raquel on Facebook
New Lecturer with tenure
Congratulaciones to our colleague Ana Blas García, who recently secured a post as Lecturer of Physiology with tenure at the University of Valencia. Congratulate Ana on Facebook
Review published in Pharmacological Research
Members of our group have published a systematic review of recent clinical trials of new antifibrotic drugs with the aim of determining the most promising options and the feasibility of extending their therapeutic value as antifibrotic agents to other fibrotic conditions. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107245
Predoctoral researcher position on “Hepatic stellate cell-directed crosstalk in liver fibrosis: mechanisms and therapeutic targets”
We are looking for a highly motivated predoctoral fellow to join our research group within the Digestive and Inflammatory Pharmacology Unit at the University of Valencia, in Valencia, Spain (for more information, visit www.farmacologiavalencia.es). The predoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to work in a highly motivated, collaborative and translational research group led by Dr. […]
Se busca candidato para realizar tesis doctoral con posibilidad de solicitar ayudas predoctorales nacionales y de la Comunidad Valenciana
Condiciones del contrato: 1 año a tiempo completo con financiación al cargo del proyecto de investigación vigente. Se ofrece la posibilidad de realizar una tesis doctoral para la que avalaríamos el/la investigador(a) en convocatorias públicas pedir contratos predoctorales. REQUISITOS: 1) Haber obtenido un título de grado expedido por una universidad española o extranjera con posterioridad […]
Preparation of the 3rd International Workshop on Liver and Gut Fibrosis begins
We have begun preparing the programme of the 3rd edition of the workshop, scheduled for 16-17 October 2025.
Scientific retreat at the University of Modena
Sharing of results and ideas with our long-time collaborator Andrea Cossarizza and his group at the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
Thesis defence
Congratulations to our colleague Isabel Fuster Martínez for an excellent defence of her thesis “Study of pharmacological treatments in high fat diet mouse models in order to identify novel therapeutic targets for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease“. Congratulate Isabel on Facebook
María Amparo Blanch Ruiz doctoral thesis
María Amparo Blanch Ruiz has defended her doctoral thesis “Study of the cardiovascular toxicity of Abacavir in HIV-infected patients and involvement of the secretome released by neutrophils”. Congratulate María Amparo on Facebook
Doctoral thesis defence
Cristina Bauset Pastor is now Doctor of Pharmacy after defending her doctoral thesis “Characterization of intestinal microbiota and metabolite-sensing GPCRs in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Relevance of GPR91 and GPR109A.” Congratulate Cristina on Facebook
Ángeles Álvarez Ribelles named Full Professor
We are proud to announce we have another Full Professor in the group. Congratulations to Ángeles for this new achievement. Congratulate Ángeles on Facebook!
PhD candidate
We are looking for a candidate to prepare a doctoral thesis with the possibility of obtaining funding by national or regional PhD grants. The candidate must have obtained a bachelor’s degree after 1st January 2019, with a minimum average mark of 8.05. The successful candidate will join the Digestive Pharmacology and Inflammation Research Unit (more […]
Ana Blas, new Permanent Professor
Happy to announce that our colleague Ana Blas García has recently been appointed Permanent Professor of the Department of Physiology at the University of Valencia. Congratulate Ana on Facebook
The 2nd International Workshop on Liver and Gut Fibrosis will take place in Valencia, Spain, on 26-27 October 2023.
Organized by the University of Valencia, sponsored by CIBEREHD and FISABIO, and endorsed by major international (EASL, ECCO) and Spanish societies in the field, the workshop is an initiative to bring together basic scientists and clinical experts to share their perspectives about these medical conditions, which constitute a global health problem. The programme will focus […]
CONFERENCE: ADVANCES IN COMPLICATED IN IBD. 17 February 2023, in Fundación-ADEIT
Well-attended and highly interesting conference “ADVANCES IN COMPLICATED IBD”, organized in collaboration with INCLIVA (Department of Digestive Medicine de Medicine). With speakers Dolores Barrachina (Universitat de Valencia), Yamile Zabana (Hospital Universitari Mútua Terrassa) and Marc Ferrante (University Hospitals Leuven, Belguim), y moderators Maia Bosca (Hospital Clínico de Valencia) and Pilar Noos (Hospital Universitario La Fe). […]
Research stay in Dublin
We wish our colleague Cristina Bauset a productive and happy stay in Dublin, at the Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, where she will be under the supervision of Dr. Mario Manresa. During her stay, Cristina will carry out research to identify the fibroblast-related mediators and molecular mechanisms involved in the […]
Our article published recently in the British Journal of Pharmacology
In our article published recentlyin the British Journal of Pharmacology, “Abacavir causes leukocyte/platelet crosstalk by neutrophil P2X7 receptor release of sLOX” we analyze the role of neutrophils–and specifically the secretomereleased by abacavir-treatedneutrophils – in the platelet activation that precedes thrombosis. We have observed that neutrophils are target cells in abacavir-induced thrombosis and that sLOX-1 could […]
Congratulations to our colleague Dolo Ortiz, who has recently been named Senior Lecturer of the University of Valencia
Congratulate Dolo on Facebook!
Congratulations to Sara Calatayud, member of our research group, who has recently become Full Professor of Pharmacology.
Congratulate Sara on Facebook!
Recognition as a research group of excellence
Our group has been recognized as a research group of excellence for the fourth consecutive time by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (Conselleria d’Educació, Cultura i Esport ) of the Valencian regional government (Generalitat Valenciana) as part of its Prometeo programme for research groups of excellence. We have received a 4-year grant for […]
Welcome back to Mariam Blanch Ruiz
Who has recently returned from a 3-month stay at ETH Zurich in the laboratory of Prof. Cornelia Halin Winter (Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences). Mariam has been investigating the functional relevance of neutrophil extracellular traps on neutrophil entry into lymph nodes and their effects on adaptive immune response. Welcome Mariam […]
Our PhD student Patricia García Martínez has defended her doctoral thesis ” Characterization of the effect of biological drugs on the initial phases of thrombus formation in patients with psoriasis “.
Congratulate Aleksandra on Facebook!
Our PhD student Ángela Moragrega Escolano has defended her thesis “Study of the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic response of rivilpirine in non-parenchymal liver cells”.
Congratulate Ángela on Facebook
Our PhD student Aleksandra Gruevksa has defended her thesis “Intercommunications among inflammation, chronic liver disease and HIV:understanding the hepatoprotective effects of the antiretroviral drug rilpivirine”.
Congratulate Aleksandra on Facebook!
Ciencia i canyes
Our colleagues Isabel Fuster and Ana María Benedicto will speak about the importance of the liver for our health in the next edition of Ciencia I Canyes , Tuesday 12th April at 19.30 in La Fábrica de Hielo.
Our colleague Ainhoa Sánchez has defended her doctoral thesis “Study of the mechanism responsible for the prothrombotic effect of Abacavir”.
Dra. Itziar Ainhoa Sánchez López (2022)
Seminar Thursday 18th November 2021 :”To microscope or not to microscope: a few applications to analyse autophagy and mitochondrial biology in live cells.”
Seminar given by our colleague, Dr. Federico Lucantoni https://ir.uv.es/microsucim
Young Researcher Award, Spanish Society of Pharmacology
Congratulations to Jesús Cosín Roger, member of our group, who has been awarded the XXXVII Young Researcher Award by the Spanish Society of Pharmacology. This award is granted to researchers aged 35 years or younger with an outstanding scientific career.
Mariam Blanch awarded the EMBO Scientific Exchange Grant
Our postgraduate researcher Mariam Blanch has been awarded the EMBO Scientific Exchange Grant to carry out a research stay in the laboratory of Dr. Clare Pridans, at the Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh. Mariam will participate in the project “Development of a monocytopenic model testing different CSF1R inhibitors to study the physiology of […]
Aleksandra Gruevska awarded the EMBO Scientific Exchange Grant
Our postgraduate researcher Aleksandra Gruevska has been awarded the EMBO Short-Term Fellowship to carry out a research stay in the laboratory of Professor Fabio Marra, in the Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy. Aleksandra will study the antiretroviral drug Rilpivirine’s effect on the fibrogenic phenotype of human hepatic stellate cells.
Review in Journal of Pathology
In this review, we discuss relevant recent studies of the role of autophagy in hepatic stellate cell activation.
Review article in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
This review studies the structure, activation pathways, and specific cellular location of P2X7R in order to analyze its biological relevance. It points to a possible allosteric modulation of this receptor by endogenous mediators, which would turn the tiny regulated ATP inputs into an activated functional P2X7R signaling, supporting the relevance of this receptor in a […]
Review in Cells
In our review in Cells we discuss the evidence regarding apoptosis of hepatocytes induced by HIV, HIV-encoded proteins, or cART.
Review published
We just published “Metabolomics as a Promising Resource Identifying Potential Biomarkers for Inflammatory Bowel Disease”.
Would you like to contribute to a special issue of Cells?
Would you like to contribute to a special issue of Cells: Anti-HIV Therapy and Chronic Liver Diseases? Send proposals to to nadezda.apostolova@uv.es (Guest Editor) More information
New article in J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol
In our article recently published in J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol – a collaboration with Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research (Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam), Hospital La Fe and Hospital Manises – we show that treatment with vitamin D increases levels of its receptor and attenuates the proliferation of fibroblasts in Crohn’s disease. […]
New project
The project has been awarded to the line led by Dras. Barrachina and Calatayud.
Article in Cells
Succinate Activates EMT in Intestinal Epithelial Cells through SUCNR1: A Novel Protagonist in Fistula Development.
New publication in Journal of Investigative Dermatology in collaboration with Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset
Differential effects of biologics on psoriasis-related vascular inflammation and risk of thrombosis
Article in Antiviral Research
p53 and p53-related Mediators PAI-1 and IGFBP-3 Are Downregulated in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of HIV-patients Exposed to NNRTI.
New article in NUTRIENTS
Diminished Vitamin D Receptor Protein Levels in Crohn’s Disease Fibroblasts: Effects of VD.
Looking for PhD students
We are looking for PhD students to join our line of research on mechanisms of mucosal recovery and progression to fibrosis in inflammatory bowel disease.
International Workshop on Liver and Gut Fibrosis
We are excited to announce the International Workshop on Liver and Gut Fibrosis, which will take place in Valencia, on 18-19th June this year.
Media coverage of our article in Gut
Rilpivirine attenuates liver fibrosis through selective STAT1-mediated apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells.
Article in Gut
Gut is the journal of the British Society of Gastroenterology and is published by the BMJ Group.
Two new research grants
Two research projects have receive funding from the Spanish Ministry (Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad).
New article published
Our group has published a new article in Journal of Crohns Colitis.
Pedro Salvador defends his thesis
The title of his thesis is “Relevance of the macrophage as a source of Wnt ligands in the complications associated with Crohn’s disease”.
New article published
Mitophagy in human astrocytes treated with the antiretroviral drug Efavirenz: Lack of evidence or evidence of the lack.
Jesús Cosín awarded by the UV
The García Blanco Medal Award recognizes the scientific career in the field of experimental medicine of our colleague.
Alberto Martí defended his doctoral thesis
Our colleague Alberto Martí Rodrigo defended his doctoral thesis.
Two grants awarded
During the recent CIBERehd Jornadas Científicas members of our group were awarded two grants.
New Lecturer
Our colleague Ángeles Álvarez Ribelles has been promoted to Lecturer of Pharmacology.
Postgraduate position/ Doctoral programme
Would you like to prepare your doctorate as a member of our research group?
New article
Results of our line of research on inflammatory bowel disease have been published in Mucosal Immunology.
Prometeo Programme
Our group has just been awarded further funding from the Valencia government as part of its Prometeo Programme for research groups of excellence.
New Doctoral Prize
Fernando Alegre has been awarded the University of Valencia’s Doctoral Prize 2017-2018 for his thesis.
Research stay in the USA
Ainhoa Sánchez has begun a 4-month research stay at the Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
New Lecturer
Yesterday, our colleague Nadezda Apostolova was promoted to Lecturer of Pharmacology at the University of Valencia.
Miguel Martí Full Professor
Congratulations to our colleague Miguel Martí Cabrera, who is now Full Professor of Pharmacology.
2nd Best Master in Spain
Members of our group participate in the Master’s Degree in Research and Rational Use of Medication, considered the second best in Spain.
New publication
The journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation) has published a new article by our group.
Laura Gisbert begins a stay
Our colleague Laura Gisbert has just begun a 3-month stay in the laboratory of Dr. Anje te Velde, in Amsterdam.
Scholarship offer
The research group led by Dr. Juan V. Esplugues is looking for candidates for a scholarship to initiate a career in research.
Liverseminar with Stuart Forbes
The conference, entitled “Stem cells in liver diseases” will take place on 25 April at 16:00 in IDIBAPS.
