Newsletter Friends of CNIO 50

Elena Jimenez (Albacete, 1991)

He began his research career at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of Rocasolano (IQFR-CSIC). Since June 2023, he has been part of the CNIO Group on Genomic Integrity and Structural Biology. Here he studies the impact that mutations in mitochondrial DNA, which lies outside the cell’s nucleus and is inherited only from the mother, can have on cancer. He is investigating the proteins involved in these relationships to develop new therapeutic approaches based on his findings.

What drew you to cancer research?

Actually, there are two reasons. My scientific background is in structural biology, and in this field I am very interested in studying the details of proteins at the atomic level. I love structural biology and think that this could be a very good field for developing new therapies, for example, for different types of cancer. On a more personal level, I was particularly drawn to cancer research, finding solutions that could help…even if it’s a small contribution to a larger problem, I believe I can make a difference.

Why did you decide to become a scientist?

Probably because when I was little I had a huge interest in everything, I started studying biology at school and then continued it at university. I was very interested. I loved learning about how cells interact. When I completed my PhD, I felt motivated to continue doing science because I enjoy learning more and more about biology.

What do you enjoy most about this job?

This allows me to train continuously. I’m learning a lot. Many questions arise, and we explore them by integrating knowledge. I have the opportunity to share mine with colleagues; Collaboration is so important… They give me a lot of advice and I can offer that too. I feel like I have a lot of freedom to propose an experiment; We have the right to make decisions to do things the way we want. I love the creative exploration this job brings.

Why did you want to come to CNIO?

For me, it is a reference center for cancer research, and here I have the opportunity to connect with many experts from different fields. The diversity of experts in the CNIO is enormous. Additionally, I enjoy being surrounded by very diverse research. I find workshops, for example, to be fun and help you open your mind to new things. And, of course, the conditions and equipment here are very good. This makes a big difference.

What would you like to be doing in 10 years?

I want to continue cancer research and contribute to the field. I would like to discover something meaningful and useful to help cancer patients.

What does the CNIO Friends Contract mean to you?

This contract with the Friends of the CNIO gave me the opportunity to expand on my previous experience in structural biology by learning a new technique that I can develop further throughout my scientific career. It gave me a much broader perspective on the whole field of structural biology, and that was amazing to me. I am very, very grateful for this opportunity and want to thank all the donors for investing so generously in cancer research at CNIO. You give us the opportunity to make a decisive contribution.