Isabel | TVP Lab

Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Isabel Fuster

About me

I studied Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences (2014-2018) at the University of Valencia, where I also completed my PhD (FPU-funded, 2019-2024). During my doctoral studies, I undertook an EMBO-supported internship at the University of Cambridge (2022). My PhD thesis investigated the effects of various treatments on mouse models of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study revealed common patterns among these drugs, contributing to a better understanding of their mechanisms of action and identifying potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the disease. In 2024, I joined Professor Antonio Vidal-Puig's laboratory (TVP's lab) at the Institute of Metabolic Sciences as a research associate, a position I still hold today.

Research Interests

My research focuses on the physiological and molecular mechanisms of metabolic syndrome, a highly prevalent condition encompassing several disorders including obesity, MASLD, diabetes and cardiovascular complications. My current projects specifically explore the role of macrophages, key immune cells involved in the progression of metabolic syndrome. These cells contribute to various aspects of disease pathogenesis, such as inflammation, fibrosis, metabolic dysregulation, and tissue regeneration. I am investigating how macrophages sense excess lipids, how they adapt metabolically, and how these processes might be targeted through therapeutic interventions to treat metabolic syndrome.

Publications

Isabel Fuster-Martínez; José F. Català-Senent; Marta R- Hidalgo; Francisco J. Roig; Juan Esplugues; Nadezda Apostolova; Francisco García-García; Ana Blas-Garcia. 2024. Integrated transcriptomic landscape of the effect of anti-steatotic treatments in high-fat diet mouse models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Integrated transcriptomic landscape of the effect of anti-steatotic treatments in high-fat diet mouse models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Journal of Pathology.

Isabel Fuster-Martínez; Sara Calatayud. 2024. The current landscape of antifibrotic therapy across different organs: A systematic approach. The current landscape of antifibrotic therapy across different organs: A systematic approach. Pharmacological Research. 205-107245.

Ana Benedicto; Federico Lucantoni; Isabel Fuster-Martínez; et al; Nadezda Apostolova. 2024. Interference with mitochondrial function as part of the antifibrogenic effect of Rilpivirine: A step towards novel targets in hepatic stellate cell activation. Interference with mitochondrial function as part of the antifibrogenic effect of Rilpivirine: A step towards novel targets in hepatic stellate cell activation. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy.

178-117206, pp.1-13.
Ángela Moragrega; Aleksandra Gruevska; Isabel Fuster-Martínez; et al; Nadezda Apostolova; Joan Tosca. 2023. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects of rilpivirine: Relevance for the therapeutics of chronic liver disease. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects of rilpivirine: Relevance for the therapeutics of chronic liver disease. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 169-115537.

Federico Lucantoni; Ana Benedicto; Aleksandra Gruevska; Ángela Moragrega; Isabel Fuster-Martínez; Juan Esplugues; Ana Blas-Garcia; Nadezda Apostolova. 2022. Implication of autophagy in the antifibrogenic effect of Rilpivirine: when more is less. Implication of autophagy in the antifibrogenic effect of Rilpivirine: when more is less. Cell Death & Disease. 13-385, pp.1-13.

Ana M. Benedicto; Isabel Fuster-Martínez; Joan Tosca; Juan V. Esplugues; Ana Blas-García; Nadezda Apostolova. 2021. NNRTI and Liver Damage: Evidence of Their Association and the Mechanisms Involved. NNRTI and Liver Damage: Evidence of Their Association and the Mechanisms Involved. Cells. 10-7, pp.1687.