ANA TERRIENTE-FELIX
Cambridge
Summary
Molecular biologist with PhD and 15+ years’ experience in signalling pathways, mitochondrial biology, proteostasis and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing; a proven track record at publishing and at building automated image-analysis workflows, running large-scale RNAi screens (e.g., 1,387 nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes), and proteomics. Based in academia, have collaborators with mitochondrial biology teams at Cambridge MRC-MBU and Dundee MRC phospho-ubiquitin Unit; have delivered insights linking PINK1–JAK-STAT signalling to gut epithelial barrier dysfunction, muscle dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Extremely motivated to apply her skills to target discovery in inflammatory processes linked to microglial activation in PD, AD and ALS.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Associate (Alex Whitworth Lab)
University of Cambridge, MRC Project Grant
04.2023 - Current
- Investigated mtDNA mutations in neuronal iPSCs.
- Investigated PINK1 genetic interaction with JAK-STAT inflammatory signalling; characterised gut pathology in Drosophila PINK1 mutants (gut patterning defects, CFU reduction, loss of gut epithelial barrier, loss of lipid homeostasis).
- Co-led Flytocarta functional genomics screen (1,387 nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes, two RNAi lines per gene); organised gene lists, reagent tracking, and curated analysis using R-programming.
- Cross-site collaborations: analysis of PINK1 ubiquitin phosphorylation activity (MRC-PPU, Miratul Muqit); CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing optimisation (LMB, Simon Bullock); functional work on Drosophila MTFP1 (MRC-MBU, Julian Prudent).
- Built automated FIJI pipelines for mitochondrial morphology and co-localisation/exclusion metrics, improving throughput and reproducibility.
Lab Manager (Alex Whitworth Lab)
University of Cambridge
03.2017 - 03.2023
- Ran lab operations (procurement, reagent catalogue, equipment coordination) while performing independent experiments and molecular cloning (SnapGene, Gibson assembly).
- Supported multiple projects with protocol optimisation and assay standardisation; mentored junior researchers and students.
EMBO Short-Term Fellow (Sarah Bray Lab)
University of Cambridge
09.2016 - 12.2016
- Completed cell culture experiments underpinning a Drosophila model of myeloproliferative disorder (JAK gain-of-function).
Research Associate (A. Nebreda & M. Milán Labs)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow (COFUND)
01.2014 - 03.2016
- Bridged Drosophila developmental biology and p38 MAPK/tumorigenesis in myeloproliferative; led analyses connecting JAK-STAT signalling to p38 MAPK signalling during tumorigenesis.
Research Associate (Sarah Bray Lab)
University of Cambridge
11.2010 - 10.2013
- Investigated Drosophila hematopoiesis with focus on specific cell differentiation.
Research Associate (Irene Miguel-Aliaga Lab)
University of Cambridge
10.2009 - 10.2010
- Characterised the expression pattern of neuropeptide receptor PdfR in Drosophila gut visceral muscles, analysed the regulation of Pdf/PdfR axis in the regulation of gut peristalsis.
EMBO Short-Term Fellow (Peter Verrijzer Lab)
Erasmus University Medical Center
05.2009 - 08.2009
- Performed ChIP on SWI/SNF Brahma complex at EGFR enhancers.
Research Assistant (Jose F. de Celis Lab)
Centro de Biología Molecular (CSIC-UAM, Spain)
07.2008 - 04.2009
- Showed chromatin remodeler Kismet/CHD7 represses Hedgehog in Drosophila melanogaster wing imaginal discs.
PhD Student (Jose F. de Celis Lab)
Centro de Biología Molecular (CSIC-UAM, Spain)
03.2003 - 06.2008
- Mutagenesis screens for Drosophila melanogaster wing size/vein patterning; Investigated the role of chromatin remodeler SWI/SNF Brahma in vein differentiation.
Education
BSc - Biochemistry
Universidad de Granada
SpainBachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Université De Nantes
FrancePhD - Molecular Biology
Universidad Autónoma De Madrid
Spain06-2008
Skills
- iPSC work: iPSC lentivirus transduction, FACS sorting, Adgene protocols
- Genetic Engineering: Lentiviral production, CRISPR/Cas9 editing; Gibson assembly
- Large-scale screen design & execution
- Mitochondrial assays (Oxygraph, ATP, ROS, Mitophagy)
- Image analysis (FIJI, analysis of mitochondrial morphology)
- R programming (basic, dplr)
- RT-qPCR
- Western blot
- PINK1/PARK mitochondrial QC
- Protocol development
- Attention to detail
- Collaboration
- Mentoring
- Committee leadership
Accomplishments
- MRC‑MBU Unit Award for community contributions (2024)
- MRC Project Grant (PI team) scored Excellent (2023)
- EMBO Short‑Term Fellowships (2009, 2016)
- Marie Skłodowska‑Curie COFUND Fellowship (2014)
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Spanish
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Intermediate (B1)
Timeline
Research Associate (Alex Whitworth Lab)
University of Cambridge, MRC Project Grant
04.2023 - Current
Lab Manager (Alex Whitworth Lab)
University of Cambridge
03.2017 - 03.2023
EMBO Short-Term Fellow (Sarah Bray Lab)
University of Cambridge
09.2016 - 12.2016
Research Associate (A. Nebreda & M. Milán Labs)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow (COFUND)
01.2014 - 03.2016
Research Associate (Sarah Bray Lab)
University of Cambridge
11.2010 - 10.2013
Research Associate (Irene Miguel-Aliaga Lab)
University of Cambridge
10.2009 - 10.2010
EMBO Short-Term Fellow (Peter Verrijzer Lab)
Erasmus University Medical Center
05.2009 - 08.2009
Research Assistant (Jose F. de Celis Lab)
Centro de Biología Molecular (CSIC-UAM, Spain)
07.2008 - 04.2009
PhD Student (Jose F. de Celis Lab)
Centro de Biología Molecular (CSIC-UAM, Spain)
03.2003 - 06.2008
BSc - Biochemistry
Universidad de Granada
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Université De Nantes
PhD - Molecular Biology
Universidad Autónoma De Madrid
Selected Publications
- Martinez A et al., Terriente-Felix A, Whitworth AJ. Molecular Neurodegeneration, 2024.
- Twyning MJ, Terriente-Felix A et al. Cell Reports, 2024.
- Usher JL, Terriente-Felix A et al. EMBO Journal, 2022.
- Terriente-Felix A, Watson E, Whitworth AJ. PLOS Genetics, 2020.
- Tufi R, Terriente-Felix A et al. Cell Reports, 2019.
- (Full list available on request or LinkedIn)
Teaching, Mentoring & Leadership
- Demonstrator: Drosophila & fluorescence microscopy; Biology of the Cell (2019–2025)
- Mentor: visiting PhD (Università degli Studi di Padova, 2025); visiting student (UAM, 2024); current PhD & RA mentoring.
- Community roles: Co-chair CIMR/MBU Green Committee; Organising committee Cambridge Fly Club; Member of MBU Postdoc Society.
References
- Alex, Whitworth, Prof., ajw69@cam.ac.uk, MRC-Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MBU), University of Cambridge, UK
- Sarah, Bray, Prof., sjb32@cam.ac.uk, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK