Confocal Microscopy Core Unit

Isabel Peset Head of Unit
T +34 917328000 (Ext )
ipeset@cnio.es

Technicians

María Calvo de Mora
Ana Cayuela
Manuel Pérez

One of the greatest challenges in oncology research is the detailed study of specific markers, expression patterns, and individual cells in the tumour and its microenvironment. Optical microscopy has become a key technology in the field to boost our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving cancer, as well as to explore potential therapeutic strategies.

The Confocal Microscopy Unit (CMU) provides scientific advice and technical support through cutting-edge imaging technologies, focusing on cancer biology and other biomedical research areas. CNIO research groups have access to state-of-the-art equipment and a High-end BioImage Analysis platform.

Our team is also dedicated to the development and implementation of innovative imaging techniques that can have an impact on CNIO scientific projects. Training and science dissemination are key elements of our mission. We organise courses, seminars, and lab visits aimed at advancing optical microscopy culture.

Recent publications

Bodas C, Felipe I, Chanez B, Lafarga M, Lopez de Maturana E, Martinez de Villarreal J, Del Pozo N, Malumbres M, Vargiu P, Cayuela A, Peset I, Connelly K, Hoskins J, Méndez R, Amundadottir L, Malats N, Ortega S, Real FX. (2025). A Common CTRB misfolding variant associated with pancreatic cancer risk causes ER stress and inflammation in mice. Gut (in press). CNIO Publication.
Rosa-Diaz I, Rowe J, Cayuela-Lopez A, Arbona V, Díaz I, Jones AM. (2024). Spider mite herbivory induces an ABA-driven stomatal defense. Plant Physiol 195, 2970-2984. CNIO Publication.
Mellor LF, Gago-Lopez N, Bakiri L, Schmidt FN, Busse B, Rauber S, Jimenez M, Megías D, Oterino-Soto S, Sanchez-Prieto R, Grivennikov S, Pu X, Oxford J, Ramming A, Schett G, Wagner EF. (2022). Keratinocyte-derived S100A9 modulates neutrophil infiltration and affects psoriasis-like skin and joint disease. Ann Rheum Dis 81, 1400-1408. CNIO Publication.
Chatterjee S, Hofer T, Costa A, Lu D, Batkai S, Gupta SK, Bolesani E, Zweigerdt R, Megias D, Streckfuss-Bömeke K, Brandenberger C, Thum T, Bär C. (2021). Telomerase therapy attenuates cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin.. Mol Ther 29, 1395-1410. CNIO Publication.
Leivas A, Valeri A, Córdoba L, García-Ortiz A, Ortiz A, Sánchez-Vega L, Graña-Castro O, Fernández L, Carreño-Tarragona G, Pérez M, Megías D, Paciello ML, Sánchez-Pina J, Pérez-Martínez A, Lee DA, Powell DJ Jr, Río P, Martínez-López J (2021). NKG2D-CAR-transduced natural killer cells efficiently target multiple myeloma. Blood Cancer J 11, 146. CNIO Publication.
Jimenez L, Silva A, Calissi G, Grenho I, Monteiro R, Mayoral-Varo V, Blanco-Aparicio C, Pastor J, Bustos V, Bracher F, Megías D, Ferreira BI, Link W (2021). Screening health-promoting compounds for their capacity to induce the activity of FOXO3. J Gerontol A-Biol (in press). CNIO Publication.
Leivas A, Risueño RM, Guzmán A, Sánchez-Vega L, Pérez M, Megías D, Fernández L, Alonso R, Pérez-Martínez A, Rapado I, Martínez-López J (2021). Natural killer cells efficiently target multiple myeloma clonogenic tumor cells. Cancer Immunol Immun 70, 2911-2924. CNIO Publication.
Amor López A, Mazariegos MS, Capuano A, Ximénez-Embún P, Hergueta-Redondo M, Recio JÁ, Muñoz E, Al-Shahrour F, Muñoz J, Megías D, Doliana R, Spessotto P, Peinado H (2021). Inactivation of EMILIN-1 by Proteolysis and Secretion in Small Extracellular Vesicles Favors Melanoma Progression and Metastasis. Int J Mol Sci 22, 7406. CNIO Publication.
González-Martínez J, Cwetsch AW, Martínez-Alonso D, López-Sainz LR, Almagro J, Melati A, Gómez J, Pérez-Martínez M, Megías D, Boskovic J, Gilabert-Juan J, Graña-Castro O, Pierani A, Behrens A, Ortega S, Malumbres M. (2021). Deficient adaptation to centrosome duplication defects in neural progenitors causes microcephaly and subcortical heterotopias. JCI Insight 6, 146364. CNIO Publication.
Machado S, Silva A, De Sousa-Coelho AL, Duarte I, Grenho I, Santos B, Mayoral-Varo V, Megias D, Sánchez-Cabo F, Dopazo A, Ferreira BI, Link W (2020). Harmine and Piperlongumine Revert TRIB2-Mediated Drug Resistance. Cancers 12, 3689. CNIO Publication.
Morales C, Ruiz-Torres M, Rodríguez-Acebes S, Lafarga V, Rodríguez-Corsino M, Megías D, Cisneros DA, Peters JM, Méndez J, Losada A (2020). PDS5 proteins are required for proper cohesin dynamics and participate in replication fork protection. J Biol Chem 295, 146-157. CNIO Publication. Open Access
Gutiérrez MT, Durán AG, Mejías FJR, Molinillo JMG, Megias D, Valdivia MM, Macías FA. (2020). Bio-Guided Isolation of Acetogenins from Annona cherimola Deciduous Leaves: Production of Nanocarriers to Boost the Bioavailability Properties. Molecules 25, 4861. CNIO Publication.
Klett J, Gómez-Casero E, Méndez-Pertuz M, Urbano-Cuadrado M, Megias D, Blasco MA, Martínez S, Pastor J, Blanco-Aparicio C (2020). Screening protocol for the identification of modulators by immunofluorescent cell-based assay. Chem Biol Drug Des 95, 66-78. CNIO Publication.
González-Martínez J, Cwetsch AW, Martínez-Alonso D, López-Sainz LR, Almagro J, Megías D, Boskovic J, Gilabert-Juan J, Graña-Castro O, Pierani A, Behrens A, Ortega S, Malumbres M (2020). Lack of adaptation to centriolar defects leads to p53-independent microcephaly in the absence of Cep135. bioRxiv (in press). CNIO Publication.