GLS and GLS2 cross-talk as a therapeutic target in cancer - HOSTING OFFER – MSCA-PF 2025

The “CANCEROMICS” group, led by Prof. José M. Matés at the Faculty of Sciences in Málaga, Spain, is interested in hosting a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow.

One Marie Skłodowska-Curie spot is currently offered under the supervision of Prof. José M. Matés.

Prof. Matés earned his PhD in Biochemistry in 1992 and has over 35 years of experience in cancer research. He is currently leading a project focused on the design of novel PROTAC®s that selectively target glutaminase isoenzymes, aiming to synergistically arrest cancer progression.

Description of the center: IBIMA Platform BIONAND is a multidisciplinary research space in biomedicine and nanomedicine that is centered around the two largest hospitals located in Malaga (Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals) and Primary Care Units of the Andalusian Public Health System, together with the biotechnological groups of the University of Malaga. This entity brings together 73 research groups, selected based on scientific excellence, and working on eight big research areas. IBIMA aims to promote research of excellence, oriented towards translational research, fostering transferable results to clinical practice, advancing in the improvement of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the most prevalent health problems at the regional, national and international level. It enables the development and promotion of a space for cutting-edge research that contributes to the scientific basis of the programs and policies of the National Health System. In 2015, IBIMA obtained recognition from the National Ministry of Health as one of the Biomedical Research Institute of reference in Spain. In 2022, the Andalusian Centre for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND) was integrated into IBIMA, equipped with a nanoimaging Unit holding the distinction of “Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure” awarded by the Spanish Government, infrastructure unique in Spain and one of the most complete in Europe. The Institute is part of relevant European research infrastructures such us EATRIS (Biomarkers and ATMP platforms) and ECRIN (designated in 2022 as National Hub of ECRIN-ERIC by the Spanish Government), and also participates in more than 80 scientific and technological research networks, being a European reference in biomedical and translational research.

Description of the project/projects:

  • Number of positions available:  1
  • Project 1 Objective: To design Protacs linkers and E3 ligase ligands for glutaminase, to be used against cancer. Several online gene expression databases, including Oncomine, TCGA and cBioportal, as well as our gene expression profiling database (in GBM and breast cancer) will be bioinformatically mined for GLS/GLS2 expression levels in different cancers. All cancer types with GLS and/or GLS2 overexpression will be selected for further study including treatment with GLS and GLS2 inhibitors. A library containing FDA-approved drugs, natural compounds, and other chemicals, will be screened using computer-aided drug design (CADD) technologies based on their interaction with GLS or GLS2. Glutaminase-specific ligands will then be further screened via a high throughput format, employing purified recombinant human. GLS and GLS2, as well as a coupling enzymatic assay, are available in our lab. For the compound screening, luciferase assays will be used.  The intermediate linker is usually an ether (eg, PEG) or a variant of a hydrocarbon chain linked to a POI ligand through an amide, ether, or amine. Different linkers and E3 ligase ligands are commercially available (Bio-techne, BOC-Sciences, Creative BioLabs). As GLS/GLS2 specific ligands, we will check those obtained from our high-throughput screenings and/or previously described inhibitors, like CB-839.

Description Principal Investigator

José M Matés (orcid 0000-0001-9795-1993) worked as Senior Research officer two years (1993-1995) in London (Marie Curie Fellowship) at The Royal Postgraduate Medical School (Hammersmith Hospital), University of London (UK); and three months (1996) in USA (NATO Fellowship) at The Milton Hershey Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania (USA). He is Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain, since year 2001. His research interests include cancer metabolism, transcriptional regulation, glutamine, glutaminase isoenzymes, glutathione, reactive oxygen species, redox regulation, oxidative damage, and apoptosis. He has published 94 (68 as first or corresponding author) research articles (h index = 44). In the last 5 years he has published in Cancer Cell (27,41), Nature Medicine (IF 27.36), twice in Cell Metabolism (IF 17.35), J Biomed Sci (12.77), Proc. Natl. Ac. Sci. USA (IF 9.78), BBA Rev Cancer (IF 8.22), Cancers (6.58), Free Rad Biol Med (IF 6.10), Glia (IF 6.00), Int J Biochem Cell Biol (IF 4.90), J Mol Med (IF 4.80), Curr Med Chem (IF 4.71), Arch Toxicol (IF 4.67), PLoS ONE (IF 4.41), Front Biosc (IF 4.10), etc. He has written 19 book chapters (15 as first or corresponding author) and he has also submitted six DNA sequences to GenBank. Among his articles as corresponding author there are six with more than 800 cites (i.e.: 3100, 2000, 1300, 1000, 875 and 800 cites, aproximately). He has worked in 35 research Grants (six times PI). He has been awarded with IV Molly Hill award in oncologic research and the XV Bastiano Bergese award in oncologic research. He has also over 64 conference papers (32 international), and he has been advisor of three PhD Thesis, eight Degree Thesis and seven Master Thesis. He has reviewed >200 manuscripts for international journals, and he has revised more than 140 Grant applications for International Agencies. He is currently serving the Editorial Board of World J Gastrointestinal Pathophysiol, ROS, Int J Medical & Pharmaceutical Case Reports, etc. He is Editor in Chief of American J Biochem.

Application Details

  • Foreseen job starting date: March 2026 (or later, depending on the GA signature)
  • Application deadline: 11 September 2025
  • How to apply: MSCA application website
  • Application e-mail: opi@ibima.eu;  ana.ortega@ibima.eu

Candidate profile

  • You are a highly motivated PhD. graduate, in your first 8 years of research experience in cancer field, looking for a hosting institution to apply for a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship.
  • You have not resided or carried out their main activities in the country of Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline.
  • Your research expertise is related to Canceromics

Required education level:

  • Required education level 1: PhD
  • Degree field: Biochemistry; Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Pharmacy,…

Required experience level:

  • Main research field: Cancer
  • Sub research field: Omics
  • Years of research experience: Max. 8 years of postdoctoral experience

Required languages skills:

  • Language: English
  • Language level: C

Additional requirements:

  • Skills: Protein Chemisty
  • Specific requirements: PROTAC and/or Metabolomics

At the deadline for the submission of proposals (11 September, 2024), researchers:

  • shall be in possession of a doctoral degree.
  • must have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research, measured from the date of award of the doctoral degree.
  • must not have resided or carried out their main activities in the country of Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline.

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