Research Areas
Research and Development
Dr. Luis Zapata Ortiz is a trailblazer in the field of Evolutionary Immunogenomics, leading the charge at the ICR with his pioneering research aimed at predicting responses to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. His journey began with a foundation in Biotechnology Engineering at the University of Chile, where he laid the groundwork for his future endeavors. This was followed by a stint at the University of California in Davis before earning his Ph.D. in Biomedicine at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona.
As a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the ICR, Dr. Zapata Ortiz delved deep into understanding the intricate relationship between evolution and the immune system's impact on genetic variability. His expertise spans mathematical modelling, evolutionary theory, population genetics, and computational biology, allowing him to dissect complex datasets with precision and insight.
Dr. Zapata Ortiz's contributions extend beyond theoretical frameworks; his research has tangible clinical implications. By publishing in prestigious journals like Nature Genetics and Genome Biology, he has illuminated the clinical significance of immunoediting and the profound influence of immune selection. Through meticulous analysis, he has uncovered negative selection forces acting on essential genes within cancer genomes and regions exposed to the immune system. Moreover, his investigations into healthy somatic tissues have unveiled a mathematical model of dN/dS using stochastic branching processes, further elucidating the mechanisms driving genetic variation.
His multidisciplinary approach has positioned him as a leading authority in the field, bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and clinical applications. Dr. Zapata Ortiz's work not only advances our understanding of evolution's impact on the genome but also holds promise for personalized medicine, particularly in the realm of cancer immunotherapy.
Collaborations
Dr Zapata is a member of scientific societies, and has a broad network of collaborations in the UK, EU, USA, Chile and Latin America.
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News and Events
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