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dr. Alex Garanto Iglesias PhD
About Alex Garanto Iglesias
Dr. Alex Garanto conducted his PhD project in the field of Genetics after finishing his studies in Biology at the University of Barcelona. During his PhD, he focused on elucidating the function of CERKL, an inherited retinal dystrophy gene, as well as the characterization of a knockout mouse model for this gene. After his PhD defense, he studied the contribution of Ubiquitin and Sumo signalling in the determination of photoreceptor cell fate. In October 2012, Dr. Garanto started as a postdoc in the Blindness Genetic Therapy group at the Department of Human Genetics. His main research consisted in developing new therapeutic approaches for inherited retinal disorders. Together with Dr. Rob Collin, they investigated a promising antisense oligonucleotide (AON)-based therapy for one of the most recurrent mutations in CEP290 gene, causing Leber congenital amaurosis. A phase 1/2 clinical trial using this strategy has started. Given the positive results obtained for CEP290, they expanded splicing modulation therapies for other subtypes of inherited retinal dystrophies. Currently, Dr. Garanto is leading the "Molecular therapies for neurometabolic and sensory diseases" group between the Departments of Pediatrics and Human Genetics. His research focuses on the development of moleculart herapies for a variety of diseases affecting the eye, the brain or muscle. In addition, his group develops personalized models based on iPSC technology to accelerate treatment development and find novel therapeutic targets by combining functional, moleculaer and biochemical readouts.
Position(s)
- associate professor
Personal prizes & awards
- 2014: EMBO Short-term fellowship
- 2015: Uitzicht - Expanding splice modulation therapies for inherited retinal dystrophies (2015-2019)
- 2016: ZonMw-Off Road - A novel approach to correct mutant transcripts in inherited retinal dystrophies (2016-2018)
Personal prizes & awards
- 2014: EMBO Short-term fellowship
- 2015: Uitzicht - Expanding splice modulation therapies for inherited retinal dystrophies (2015-2019)
- 2016: ZonMw-Off Road - A novel approach to correct mutant transcripts in inherited retinal dystrophies (2016-2018)
- 2017: Foundation Fighting Blindness - Assessment of therapeutic molecules in vivo (principal investigator in module 4 of a Project Program Award (2017-2022)
- 2018: Uitzicht - Splicing modulation therapy for recurrent ABCA4 mutations underlying Stargardt disease (2018-2021)
Research position
- associate professor
Connected to
Department Dermatology
The Dermatology department focuses on the treatment of skin conditions. Most examinations and treatment take place on an outpatient basis.
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Department Genetics
The Genetics department treats and studies inherited disorders in patients and their families.
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Department Hematology
The Hematology department focuses on blood diseases. These include benign and malignant disorders of blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes. But also, for example, clotting disorders and blood transfusion problems.
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Department Otorhinolaryngology
The Otorhinolaryngology department provides patient care in the areas of ear surgery, nose and face surgery and head and neck surgery.
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Department Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department mainly treats diseases and abnormalities of the mouth, jaw and face.
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Department Neurosurgery
The Neurosurgery department focuses on the surgical treatment of disorders of the brain, cerebral skull, skull base, cranial nerves, spinal cord, spine and peripheral nervous system.
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Department Ophthalmology
The Ophthalmology department examines and treats patients with disorders of the eye and surrounding organs.
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Department Orthopedics
The Orthopedics department treats disorders of the bones, joints, muscles and tendons. The department treats patients with, among others, osteoarthritis of the hip or knee joint, bone cancer or paraplegia.
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Department Plastic Surgery
The Plastic Surgery department focuses on restoration of form and function of a body part.
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Department Emergency Medicine
The Emergency Medicine department is concerned with the care of illnesses or injuries that require immediate medical attention.
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