Armas, Pablo

Pablo Armas has a degree in Biotechnology from Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas (FCByF), Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR); he completed his PhD and Post-doc at Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR-CONICET-UNR), under the supervision of Dr. Nora Calcaterra. He is currently an Independent Researcher at CONICET and an Associate Researcher of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Development group. He is Associate Professor of the Área Biología General, FCByF. In his research project, novel and little explored mechanisms of gene regulation are studied that depend on an unconventional structure of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) known as guanine quadruplex or G4s. These mechanisms have been revealed in the last 20 years in all living organisms and even in DNA and RNA viruses. The project addresses the study of G4s in the control of genes related to animal development, using the zebrafish model. G4s are also studied as regulators of genes related to human pathologies, and the influence of genetic variations on G4s as causes for the predisposition or onset of those pathologies. In addition, the role of G4s in the biology and replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, has recently been addressed.

Scopus Author ID: 6506870338 Orcid  Google scholar  Twitter: @PabloArmasF IG: pablo_armas


Directed Project:

Non-canonical structures of nucleic acids in the control of normal and pathological gene expression

We study the regulation of genes through novel and poorly explored mechanisms that depend on unconventional structures of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), known as guanine quadruplexes or G4s. The regulation of genes by G4s has been revealed in the last 20 years for all living organisms, from animals and plants to microorganisms such as bacteria and even in viruses with DNA and RNA genetic material. The project addresses the study of G4s in the control of genes related to animal embryonic development, using zebrafish as a model. The function of G4s in the regulation of genes related to human pathologies is also studied, mainly for genes involved in cancer, and the influence of genetic variations in G4s as possible causes for the predisposition or onset of those pathologies. In addition, the project recently incorporated the study of the function of G4s in the biology and replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic.

Directed Human Resources:

Postdoctoral Fellows

PhD Students

Publicaciones:

  • Bezzi, G., Piga, E. J., Binolfi, A., Armas, P. CNBP binds and unfolds in vitro G-quadruplexes formed in the SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative genome strands. 2021 International Journal of Molecular Sciences | Ver Publicación

  • Armas, P., Calcaterra, N. B. G-quadruplex in animal development: Contribution to gene expression and genomic heterogeneity. 2018 Mechanisms of Development | Ver Publicación

  • David, A.P.; Margarit, E.; Domizi, P.; Banchio, C. E.; Armas, P.* (Co-corresponding author); Calcaterra, N.B.* G-quadruplexes as novel cis-elements controlling transcription during embryonic development. 2016 Nucleic Acids Res. 2016 May 19;44(9):4163-73. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkw011. Epub 2016 Jan 14. | Ver Publicación

  • Steeman, T. J., Weiner A. M. J., David, A. P., Binolfi, A., Calcaterra, N. B., Armas, P. G-quadruplexes regulate miRNA biogenesis in live zebrafish embryos. 2023 International Journal of Molecular Sciences | Ver Publicación

  • Lorenzatti, A., Piga, E. J., Gismondi, M., Binolfi, A., Margarit, E., Calcaterra, N. B., Armas, P. Genetic variations in G-Quadruplex forming sequences affect the transcription of human disease-related genes. 2023 bioRxiv | Ver Publicación

  • Armas, P, David, A.P, Calcaterra, N.B. Transcriptional control by G-quadruplexes: in vivo roles and perspectives for specific intervention. 2017 Transcription | Ver Publicación