José Aramburu

Short biographical sketch

Jose Aramburu obtained his PhD in Biology (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in 1992. He did his postdoctoral first at Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, USA, 1993-1995) and then at Harvard Medical School (Boston, USA, 1995-2000).

He joined the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS, formerly Experimental and Health Sciences-DCEXS) of Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in 2000, where he has been involved in teaching and coordination in different subjects, and served as vice-director of the DCEXS from 2013 to 2019. Currently, he develops most of his teaching activity in the master of Biomedical Research and pre-graduation courses in the degree of Human Biology.

Current research in our group studies signaling and transcription regulatory mechanisms used by immune cells to maintain functional competency and adapt to diverse stress conditions they may encounter while functioning in complex microenvironments. 

Publications and Funding (summary)

Please see ORCID: 0000-0001-9279-9523

Last 10 years: 15 publications most relevant ones in Journal of Experimental Medicine, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, Nucleic Acids Research, Journal of Immunology, Science Signaling, Immunology and Cell Biology. 4 grants as co-PI from Spanish Plan Estatal since 2003, 2 from regional foundations, and 1 international grant (Worldwide Cancer Research UK). 

Scientific Contributions (summary)

Our group has advanced the knowledge on how immune cells can maintain adequate responsiveness to relevant signals, such as threats from pathogens, under diverse stress conditions. We have identified stress response mechanisms used by immune cells to maintain the functionality of anti-pathogen defenses and inflammatory responses in different microenvironments, and shown how growth promoting signals can enhance cellular resilience to stress (Nucleic Acid Res, 2012; Science Signaling, 2014; Immunol Cell Biol, 2017). By studying the transcription factor NFAT5, capable of responding to both physicochemical stress (hyperosmotic stress) and immunological and pathogen-derived inputs, we have uncovered mechanisms regulating transcription and chromatin configuration in macrophages that allow them to detect minute amounts of pathogen products and enhance their plasticity to adapt to different types of polarizing signals (J Exp Med 2012, 2018, 2020; J Immunol 2018 and 2021).

With respect to scientific and academic evaluations, I am member of the American association of Immunologists (AAI), European Federation of Immunology Societies (EFIS) and Sociedad Española de Inmunología (SEI); and Federation of European Biochemistry Societies (FEBS) and Sociedad Española de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (SEBB). I am evaluator for the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI, formerly ANEP) and the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitàries i de Recerca (AGAUR), as well as ad hoc evaluator of the National Research Agency (ANR) of CNRS, France; and the Italian Agency for Cancer Research (AICR). I am also ad hoc reviewer for the following Journals: Journal of Cell Biology, Science Signaling, Journal of Immunology, Blood, EMBO Molecular Medicine, Nucleic Acid Research, Frontiers in Immunology, Biochemical Pharmacology, BBA-Gene Regulatory Mechanisms, Cell Cycle, PLoS ONE, Journal of Molecular Medicine, European Journal of Biochemistry, FEBS Letters, Experimental Cell Research, Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy.

Contributions to Society (summary)

These have been mainly through my work as university teacher (2000-present), and as university master coordinator during 6 years (2007-2013) and then vice-director of our department for another 6 years (2013-2019). My teaching activity has been recognized with three individual awards, Recognition of Excellence in teaching activity, Universitat Pompeu Fabra 2015; and Award of the Social Council, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, for teaching merits in 2006 and 2016. Besides these recognitions, my work with a team of several teachers to implement the transition of our university degrees to the European Higher Education Area (known as the Bologna process) earned two Jaume Vicens Vives distinctions from Generalitat de Catalunya in 2005 and 2009.

I have also developed an extended activity in the training of young researchers through the direction and mentoring of PhD theses (9 in the last ten years). This has been very rewarding, as all our trainees have succeeded in joining highly qualified, competitive jobs after their theses.

Awards and recognitions (selected)

• 2020: 4 positively evaluated five-year teaching tracks (quinquenios de docencia). The next one will be evaluated in 2025.
• 2018: 5 positively evaluated six-year research tracks (sexenios de investigación) The next one will be evaluated in 2024.
• 2016: Award of the Social Council, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, for teaching trajectory.
• 2015: Recognition of Excellence in teaching activity, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
• 2014: 1 Academic Management Track (Tramo de Gestión Académica, 2006-2013). 
• 2013: Advanced Research Accreditation (habilitation as catedràtic d’universitat, corresponding to full professor), Agència per a la Qualitat del Sistema Universitari (AQU), Generalitat de Catalunya.
• 2006: Award from the Social Council, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, for teaching merits.
• 2003: Award of Generalitat de Catalunya for the Promotion of University Research.
• 2000: Instructor, Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School.
• 1996-1999: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Arthritis Foundation.
• 1995-1996: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Lady Tata Foundation.
• 1992-1994: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia de España.
• 1988-1991: Predoctoral Fellowship FPU, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia de España.