Andrea del Saz Lara is a doctoral student in the Epigenetics of Lipid Metabolism research group at IMDEA Nutrition Institute, leaded by Alberto Dávalos. Her research focuses on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases, exploring how dietary bioaactive components can influence gene expression regulation.
Throughout her Ph.D., she has worked on the identification of new therapeutic strategies through the modulation of epigenetic pathways—particularly DNA methylation and microRNA expression. Her thesis specifically investigates the epigenomic effects of hydroxytyrosol, the most abundant phenolic compound in extra virgin olive oil, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties.
Andrea employs in vitro and in vivo models, as well as high-throughput techniques such as methylation arrays and RNA sequencing, to understand how hydroxytyrosol modulates the expression of key genes involved in lipid metabolism, among others. Her aim is to contribute to the development of personalized nutrition approaches for the prevention of metabolic disorders.
She has presented her work at national and international conferences and has collaborated in several multidisciplinary research projects focused on nutrigenomics and functional foods.