Nora Calcaterra

GROUP LEADER NAME (as it appears in publications):

Nora Beatriz Calcaterra

AFFILIATION AND CURRENT POSITION:

Laboratory Leader - Principal Researcher – Associate Professor

Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology of Rosario (IBR)

Faculty of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CONICET – Nacional University of Rosario

Esmeralda y Ocampo, CCT-CONICET Rosario

S2000EZP – Rosario, Santa Fe – ARGENTINA

EMAIL:* calcaterra@ibr-conicet.gov.ar; ncalcate@fbioyf.unr.edu.ar

WEB: http://www.ibr-conicet.gov.ar/personal/calcaterra-nora-beatriz

GROUP NAME / RESEARCH INTEREST IN FEW WORDS: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Development.

We are interested in studying the molecular mechanisms involved in gene regulatory expression resposible for the success of vertebrate embryonic development.

SHORT SUMMARY OF RESEARCH INTEREST (MAX. 200 WORDS):

We have focused out work in the development of neural crest and its derivatives and in the role of non-canonical secondary structures of nucleic acids (such as the G-quadruplex) and microRNAs in the control of gene expression. We have modelled the Treacher Collins Syndrome in zebrafish and we are studying the molecular bases of this neurocristopathy.

LIST OF UP TO FIVE RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS:

1-     Proteasomal inhibition attenuates craniofacial malformations in a zebrafish model of Treacher Collins Syndrome. Rosas MG, Lorenzatti A, Porcel de Peralta MS, Calcaterra NB, Coux G. Biochem Pharmacol. 2019 Mar 5;163:362-370. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.03.005.

2-     Dicer1 is required for pigment cell and craniofacial development in zebrafish. Weiner AMJ, Scampoli NL, Steeman TJ, Dooley CM, Busch-Nentwich EM, Kelsh RN, Calcaterra NB. Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech. 2019 Mar 3;1862(4):472-485. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2019.02.005.

3-     G-quadruplex in animal development: Contribution to gene expression and genomic heterogeneity. Armas P, Calcaterra NB. Mech Dev. 2018 Dec;154:64-72. doi: 10.1016/j.mod.2018.05.004. Review.

4-     Cnbp ameliorates Treacher Collins Syndrome craniofacial anomalies through a pathway that involves redox-responsive genes. de Peralta MS, Mouguelar VS, Sdrigotti MA, Ishiy FA, Fanganiello RD, Passos-Bueno MR, Coux G, Calcaterra NB. Cell Death Dis. 2016 Oct 6;7(10):e2397. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2016.299.

5-     G-quadruplexes as novel cis-elements controlling transcription during embryonic development. David AP, Margarit E, Domizi P, Banchio C, Armas P, Calcaterra NB. Nucleic Acids Res. 2016 May 19;44(9):4163-73. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkw011.

GROUP MEMBERS (NAME, POSITION, EMAIL):*

1-     Pablo Armas – Independent Researcher CONICET – armas@ibr-conicet.gov.ar

2-     Gabriela Coux – Associate Researcher CONICET – coux@ibr-conicet.gov.ar

3-     Andrea Weiner - Associate Researcher CONICET – weiner@ibr.gov.ar

FISH FACILITIES (TYPE OF FISH SYSTEM/TANKS, CAPACITY, ETC.)*

Our Aquarium has six handmade recirculation systems (RAS) with a total of 80 aquariums. Total volume: 3000 litres. Average density: 2500 fish.

FISH LINES KEPT IN STOCK (list according to the following categories: wild type, mutant, transgenic reporter, transgenic knock-in, knock-outs, other. Provide a short description or reference)

Wild-type lines:     

OTHER EQUIPMENT RELATED TO ZEBRAFISH RESEARCH*

Three microinyectors; several stereoscopic microscopes, a dissecting Microscope Olympus MVX10, an inverted Microscope Olympus IMT2, a BH2 Olympus Microscope with a Nikon DS-Fi1 digital camera, and a Zeiss LSM 880 confocal laser-scanning Microscope.

LAB EXPERTISE AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES (RELATED TO ZEBRAFISH RESEARCH)*

We are able to perform most of the techniques commonly used for the study of the development biology of the zebrafish. In particular, in the laboratory we have focused on the study of craniofacial cartilages. We can perform all the techniques of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell sorting, RNA-seq, ChIp, etc. We are also able to generate mutants and transgenic animals.