Jose Angel Nicolas Avila, PhD
Assistant Professor
Cardiovascular Research Inst
School of Medicine

joseangel.nicolasavila@ucsf.edu 415-514-3823

At the Nicolas-Avila Lab, we explore the mechanisms by which immune cells contribute to tissue function. Our goal is to develop strategies to enhance organismal health through immunomodulation.

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Almost every organ in the body contains tissue-resident immune cells integral to its normal composition. These cells form the first line of defense against infections, but also play crucial roles in the normal functioning of their respective tissues. For instance, we have demonstrated that cardiac macrophages support cardiomyocytes by removing damaged mitochondria and other waste products, which is essential for maintaining heart function.

Our laboratory has developed tools and strategies to modify immune cell function and explore their interactions with other cells. We use these methods to investigate their roles in tissue physiology and function. Additionally, since many diseases and conditions (such as aging) are known to compromise immune cells, we are exploring the exciting potential of enhancing tissue function by improving immune cell performance.

The primary research goals of our laboratory are: 1) To understand how immune cells contribute to tissue function. 2) To define the molecular mechanisms that mediate communication between tissue-resident immune cells and other tissue components. 3) To identify diseases and pathological conditions that compromise the function of tissue-resident immune cells. 4) To develop strategies to enhance tissue function through immunomodulation.

B.S. Santiago de Compostela University. M.S. Autonoma de Madrid University. Ph.D. Autonoma de Madrid University (summa cum laude and extraordinary prize). Postdoc. Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (Dr. Andres Hidalgo laboratory).

Awards

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  • Best oral presentation award, Cellular Aging and Metabolism Symposium, 2022
  • Trainee scholarship to attend a Keystone Meeting, Keystone Symposia, 2022
  • Best Spanish Biomedical Publication of the Year Award, Constantes y Vitales, A3media and AXA foundation, 2021
  • Scientific work with highest social impact award, Hijos de Rivera S.A., 2021
  • PhD Thesis extraordinary prize, 2019/2020 promotion, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, 2021
  • Cover in Cell journal, Volume 183, Number 1, Cell Press, 2020
  • Young Investigator Competition Awards (YICA), junior tier, International Society for Heart Research (ISHR), 2020
  • Trainee scholarship to attend a Keystone Meeting, Keystone Symposia, 2020
  • Cover in Journal of Experimental Medicine, Volume 215, Issue 11, Rockefeller University Press, 2018
  • Best basic research work award, VI Annual Meeting of Immunology Society from Comunidad de Madrid, 2015
  • Severo Ochoa Predoctoral Fellowship, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spanish Government, 2014-2018
  • MASTER-program fellowship, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research, 2013-2014
  • CICERONE-program internship, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research, 2013

Education & Training

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  • Postdoctoral Fellow Immunology Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research 2024
  • PhD Molecular Biosciences Autonoma de Madrid University 2020
  • MS Molecular and Cell Biology Autonoma de Madrid University 2014
  • BS Biology Santiago de Compostela University 2013

Interests

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  • Immune cells
  • Quality control pathways
  • Metabolism
  • Mitochondria
  • Cardiac Function
  • Tissue Physiology

Websites

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Videos

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Grants and Projects

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  • Unravelling the Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Heterophagy Regulation, Sandler Program for Breakthrough Biomedical Research, 2025
  • “Dissecting the role of macrophages and heterophagy in tissue metabolic homeostasis”, UCSF Nutrition and Obesity Research Center (NORC), 2024-2025

Publications (16)

Top publication keywords:
MyocardiumPhagocytosisMyocytes, CardiacFlow CytometryImmunity, InnateHeartGreen Fluorescent ProteinsMacrophagesNeutrophilsMitochondriaHeart Conduction SystemHomeostasisMicrogliac-Mer Tyrosine KinaseAutophagy

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