Our group studies cancer heterogeneity at the genetic and cell state level. From a genetics perspective, we focus on understanding large-scale chromosomal changes known as copy number alterations (CNAs). We combine state-of-the-art genome engineering strategies to uncover the mechanisms by which CNAs enable cancer cells to propagate and resist therapies. We are particularly interested in the role of these alterations in immune surveillance, tumor heterogeneity, and cancer genome evolution. We also leverage our genome engineering expertise to devise novel strategies to image, trace, and dissect the function of complex cell states in cancer. We aim to understand how this genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity drives cancer progression and therapy resistance. Our ultimate goal is to identify the underlying principles that govern cancer heterogeneity, and use this knowledge to design new therapeutic strategies that control cancer and improve patient care.
Research
Our group studies the function of large-scale chromosomal changes known as copy number alterations (CNAs). We combine state of the art genome engineering strategies with in vivo models of cancer to uncover the mechanisms by which CNAs enable cancer cells to propagate and resist therapies. We are particularly interested in the role of these alterations in immune surveillance, tumor heterogeneity, and cancer genome evolution. Our long-term goal is to understand the complex biology of CNAs to identify new therapeutic strategies that target cells with these chromosomal aberrations.
Cancers arise through genetic and epigenetic alterations that drive the transformation of single cells into malignant tumors. Among the most frequent genetic changes observed in cancer we find copy number alterations (CNAs). As their name imply, CNAs change how many copies of specific regions of DNA a cancer cell has. Importantly, some CNAs are associated with poor clinical outcomes, yet we still do not know how they change the properties of cancer cells. In order to understand the function of CNAs, our lab combines in vivomodels of cancer with MACHETE, a new approach that allows engineering CNAs.
Team
Francisco "Pancho" Barriga
Group Leader
Born in the US, Pancho grew up in Santiago de Chile, where he got his Biochemistry degree in the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. He then did his PhD at IRB Barcelona with Eduard Batlle and his postdoc at MSKCC with Scott Lowe. Since 2023 he leads the CGE Lab at VHIO. Pancho is huge fan of genetics, dogs, cycling, working out, reading, baking bread, and cooking.
Xieng Chen Wang
Lab Manager
Xieng completed his degree in Biology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and earned his master's degree in Translational Medicine from the Universitat de Barcelona (UB). He worked as a research technician at IDIBELL until March 2023 when he joined CGE Lab as a lab manager.
Dario Ruiz
Postdoc
Dario obtained his PhD in Biology at the National University of Cuyo (Mendoza, Argentina), focusing on the characterization of microRNAs and development of RNA aptamers against B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He joined the Cancer Genome Engineering lab in September 2023, and his current research interests are to dissect how CNAs shape immune evasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Dario is also interested in engineering different large genomic deletions to explore their role in myelodysplastic syndrome.
Sofia Calpe
PhD student
Sofia joined the lab as a PhD student after finishing her Master's in Genetics and Genomics at University of Barcelona (Spain). In line with her interests in cancer biology and genetics, she is working on engineering oncogenes in ecDNA to study the implication of this DNA topology in tumor metastasis and immune response. To do so, she takes advantage of genome engineering techniques, cell culture approaches and in vivo mouse models. Outside the lab, Sofia enjoys spending time in the nature and reading novels.
Matea Katić
PhD Student
After obtaining MS degree in Experimental Biology at the Faculty of Science (University of Zagreb, Croatia), Matea joined Cancer Genome Engineering lab as a PhD student. Her PhD project focuses on unraveling the fascinating biology behind oncogenes amplified on ecDNA, using both state of the art in vitro genome engineering and imaging techniques as well as in vivo cancer models. Outside of the academic atmosphere, Matea is still a true biologist and adores spending time with her cats.
Golsa Jahangiri
PHD STUDENT
Golsa joined the lab in April 2023 as a dedicated research assistant after earning her MS degree in biomedicine from the University of Barcelona. As one of the pioneering members, she actively contributes to the establishment and organization of our laboratory facilities. Coming from her interest and passion in cancer biology, among the general lab tasks and assisting the ongoing projects, she leads a captivating project exploring the consequences of CNA acquisition order in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In addition to her research pursuits, she loves to spend her free time listening to music and cooking.
Claudia Yañez
PhD student
Claudia obtained her degree in Biology at University Autonomous of Madrid (UAM) and completed her Master's in biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biomedicine at University Autonomous of Barcelona (UAB). After working as a research assistant in Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) she joined the lab as a PhD student. In line with her interests in cancer biology and immunology, her PhD project focuses on exploring the role of CNAs in immune evasion, metastasis, and resistance to immunothepy in pancreatic cancer. Outside the lab Claudia enjoys spending time with friends, hiking, and listening to music.
Etna Abad
Postdoc
Etna received her PhD in Biomedicine from Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona, Spain), where she studied the role of the p53-dependent protein RNF144B in maintaining genomic stability and investigated how its loss influences lung cancer resistance and progression. She joined the Cancer Genome Engineering lab in January 2025, where her research focuses on developing new in vitro and in vivo tools to dynamically track ploidy cell states in ovarian cancer progression and immune evasion. Outside of her scientific pursuits, Etna enjoys climbing, skating and spending time with family and friends.
Gaia Grasso
Bioinformatician
Gaia obtained her Master's degree in Molecular Biotechnology and her PhD in Bioinformatics at the University of Turin (Italy), before joining the lab as a bioinformatician in 2025. Using her expertise in analysing transcriptomic, genetic and CRISPR screening data, she supports the computational side of projects in the lab and mines public cancer patient datasets. She is interested in translational cancer science questions and is still figuring out which one she will choose to focus on in the CGE lab. In addition to science, Gaia loves travelling, taking photos, playing video and board games, embroidering and taking care of her bonsai collection.
Adrián Holguín
Lab Technician
Adrián obtained his degree in Biology at University Autonomous of Madrid (UAM) and completed his master’s in molecular Biomedicine at University Autonomous of Madrid (UAM). In 2021, he joined Meritxell Rovira’s lab as a PhD student in pancreatic and biliary regeneration. He joined the lab in 2026 as a research technician. Adrián enjoys cooking, gardening and meeting friends.
CGE Lab Projects
Our lab is exploring CNA biology on the following research areas:
Understanding the role of CNAs as mechanisms of immune evasion.
Identifying the effect of CNAs in tumor heterogeneity.
Dissecting the contribution of CNAs in shaping cancer genome evolution.
Funding Sources
