Luiz O. F. Penalva, Ph.D.

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and miRNAs play major roles in gene expression by controlling all stages of mRNA processing, its transport, localization, decay and translation. My laboratory studies these two regulators from a global perspective. We use a combination of genomics, systems biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics and molecular biology to investigate the networks formed by RNA binding proteins, miRNAs and their target genes and evaluate their impact on biological processes, cancer and disease states. I am particularly interested in the neuronal tissue and the analysis of gene regulators implicated in both differentiation and brain tumor development.

• Professional Background

  Education

  • 2004 - Postdoctoral Training - Molecular Biology (NA) - Duke University
  • 2000 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Molecular Biology - European Molecular Biology Laboratories
  • 1996 - PhD - Molecular Biology (Sobresaliente (Magna cum Laude)) - Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
  • 1992 - MS - Biochemistry (N. A.) - University of Sao Paulo
  • 1989 - BS - Biology (N.A.) - University of Sao Paulo

  Appointments

  • 8/2018 - Professor - Children`s Cancer Research Institute - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Cellular & Structural Biology, San Antonio

• Instruction & Training

  • 1/2017 - Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 12/2016 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 11/2016 - Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 9/2016 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 4/2016 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 4/2016 - Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2/2016 - Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1/2016 - Present, Genetics, Genomics, Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, UTHSCSA
  • 1/2016 - Present, Intro to Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 12/2015 - Present, Pre-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 6/2015 - Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1/2015 - Present, IBMS 6090 Student Seminar (Cell and Molecular Biology; Cancer Biology), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 10/2014 - Present, Membership on Supervising Committee, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 8/2014 - Present, Pre-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 8/2014 - Present, Pre-Doctoral Student Supervision, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1/2014 - Present, Seminar, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 7/2009 - Present, Voelcker Academy Program, UTHSCSA
  • 4/2009 - Present, Core Course III/Cell Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 2/2008 - Present, CSBL 5024-001 Genomics

• Research & Grants

  Genomics, Systems Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology

  Cancer Development and Progression Program 

  Penalva Lab

  Research profile

  Grants

  Federal

  Funding Agency NIH/ NIAID Title Translational Control of Antifungal Resistance in Candida albicans 1R21AI130668-01 Status Active Period 1/2017 - 12/2018 Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail The goal of this grant is to determine how translational efficiency mechanisms control azole resistance in Candida albicans. Funding Agency NIH/ NIAID Title Translational Control of Biofilm Development and Maintenance in Oral Candidiasis R21 AI29883-01 Status Active Period 12/2016 - 11/2018 Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail The goal of this project is to determine the role that translational efficiency mechanisms play in promoting C. albicans biofilm development and maintenance Funding Agency NIH/NHGRI Title A computational framework for global analysis of translation regulation 2R01 HG006015 Status Active Period 9/2015 - 9/2018 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail In this project, we will develop computational methods to analyze Riboseq data and conduct genomic analyses to evaluate the relevance of translation. Funding Agency NIH/ NCI Title Novel Role of the Polycomb Repressive Complex PRC2/EZH2 - R21CA198648 Status Active Period 5/2016 - 4/2018 Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail The major goals of this project is to investigate the role of EZH2 in GBM via a novel role in splicing regulation. Funding Agency NIH/ NIAID Title Rab7 and estrogen-ER as B cell-intrinsic mediators of auto/antibody responses Status Complete Period 11/2014 - 3/2017 Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail The major goals of this project are to identify the Rab7 small GTPase as a critical element in the production of class-switched and somatically mutated antibodies and address the molecular mechanisms by which estrogen promotes the function of Rab7 in this process.

  Private

  Funding Agency Owens Foundation Title miR-124,-128 and -137 as triggers of glioblastoma development Status Active Period 5/2017 - 4/2018 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail In this project, we will test the hypothesis that the concomitant down-regulation of miR-124, -128 and -137 activates a network of transcription factors that ultimately will drive oncogenic activation. Funding Agency Owens Foundation Title miR-124,-128 and -137, main drivers of neurogenesis and neuronal phenotype Status Active Period 5/2017 - 4/2018 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail In this project how miR-124, -128 and -137 orchestrate a network of transcription factors to drive neurogenesis. Funding Agency GCCRI (UT Health SA) Title Musashi1, a novel therapeutic target in brain tumors Status Active Period 3/2016 - 3/2018 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail We propose to conduct a biochemical screening to identify compounds capable of blocking the function of Musashi1 and prevent brain tumor development. Funding Agency CTSA/IIMS (UT Health SA) Title miRNA-transcription factor networks in neurogenesis and tumorigenesis Status Active Period 10/2016 - 10/2017 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail We propose to investigate the impact of a network of 57 transcription factors regulated by miR-124, -128, -137 on neuronal differentiation and glioblastoma development. Funding Agency CNPq (Brazil) Title Genomic analysis of RNA binding proteins in glioblastoma Status Active Period 7/2014 - 9/2017 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail In this project, we will conduct genomic analyses and biological assays to identify novel RNA binding proteins with oncogenic potential in the context of glioblastoma development. Funding Agency FAPESP (Brazil) Title Urothelial carcinoma: alternative splicing and RNA binding proteins Status Active Period 3/2014 - 9/2017 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail We propose to investigate RNA binding proteins with potential oncogenic activity in urothelial carcinoma and map alternative splicing alterations in tumor tissue. Funding Agency Mike Hogg Foundation Title miRNAs in neuronal function and brain repair Status Active Period 1/2016 - 6/2017 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail The major goals of this project are: Dissect the role of miR-124, -128 and -137 in neuronal function.

• Publications

  https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZxHCMg0AAAAJ&hl=en