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Eugenio Contreras Castillo is a biologist and a PhD student at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He works at the Paula Licona-Limón Lab in the Institute of Cellular Physiology. Eugenio has a deep passion for Immunology and everything related to it. In recent years he has focused on understanding how T cells work.
Tell us a bit about the current research that you are part of.
Currently, my research focuses on unravelling the molecular mechanisms by which the TGF signalling pathway controls the function and suppressive abilities of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Specifically, our primary efforts are aimed at understanding how TIF1g, a protein involved in this signalling pathway, bestows Treg identity and prevents their conversion to proinflammatory Th subsets.
What made you choose the field of Immunology over others?
As an undergrad, I was very interested in understanding cancer biology, and the strategies to control this disease. When reading about this topic I discovered that it is difficult to understand the immune system. It was a new world. At first, I took this as a challenge but later I found it so fascinating that I got sucked in, and here I am years later very happy with my choice.
What drove you to Immunopedia?
I heard about Immunopaedia last year when I applied to the IUIS-ALACI-SMI-ASOCHIN Immuno-Chile 2023 Congress.
What advice do you have for fellow researchers who are interested in Immunology?
Always be curious, don’t be afraid to ask questions! In research, it is always important to look at a problem from different perspectives.
If you were not involved in Immunology, what other scientific fields do you see yourself contributing to?
Sociology or conservation biology.
If you could learn and perform the assay/laboratory technique of your dreams, which one would it be and why?
I guess it would be some spatial transcriptomics as it has huge potential to help understand the immune interactions in the tissue in a more detailed manner.
If anyone was visiting Mexico for the first time, what do you feel are the top 5 things they must not leave without experiencing?
I recommend visiting the National Art Museum, exploring my alma mater, UNAM, touring colonial cities such as Queretaro, Puebla, or Oaxaca, sampling local cuisine, and savouring “tacos al pastor.”
Recent publication:
Eugenio Contreras-Castillo, Verónica Yutsil García-Rasilla, María Guadalupe García-Patiño, Paula Licona-Limón, Stability and plasticity of regulatory T cells in health and disease, Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2024;, qiae049, https://doi.org/10.1093/jleuko/qiae049
