Projects per year
Personal profile
Professional Information
Lara Monteiro studied Biomedical Sciences at the Universidade do Algarve in Portugal. She later completed a Master’s degree in Molecular Medicine at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom, followed by a PhD in Biochemistry with a specialization in Signaling Pathways, Transcription, and Chemoresistance in Cancer at Imperial College London. In 2013, she joined the Reproductive Biology Laboratory at Universidad de los Andes as a postdoctoral researcher, and she currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the same university.
Research interests
Dr. Lara Monteiro’s academic and professional trajectory has focused on the study of the physiopathology of gynecological and pregnancy-related disorders, with a strong emphasis on the identification of novel biomarkers and the exploration of molecular mechanisms involved in disease progression. Her research bridges oncology, reproductive biology, and translational medicine, with particular interest in conditions such as endometriosis, breast and ovarian cancer, implantation failure, and preeclampsia.
A key line of her work involves the transcription factor FOXM1, where she has elucidated its role in trophoblast migration and invasion, contributing to the understanding of embryo implantation. In parallel, her studies in breast cancer have explored FOXM1’s involvement in chemotherapy resistance, highlighting its relevance as a therapeutic target.
Another major area of contribution is her work on menstrual mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs), investigating their role in the etiopathology of endometriosis. Her recent efforts also include the development and validation of non-invasive diagnostic tools for the early detection of endometriosis.
Teaching
Dr. Lara Monteiro has developed an active career in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, with a strong emphasis on applied biomedical research. Her teaching approach is characterized by the integration of the most recent experimental evidence with clinical applications, promoting an understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms as a foundation for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
She is currently a member of the Academic Committee of the PhD Program in Biomedicine, where she teaches content related to transcription factors and their role in gene regulation. She also coordinates and lectures in the courses “Biotechnological Advances in Medicine” and “Advanced Topics in Biomedicine: Translational Research in Reproductive Biology.”
She is actively involved in direct mentorship, both in research units and as a PhD thesis supervisor.
At the undergraduate level, she has contributed to the Biomedical Research Program and the course Applied Sciences to Medicine, delivering lectures as a researcher at the CiiB-UANDES, with the goal of motivating and fostering interest in research among undergraduate students. In addition, she serves as a tutor for medical students participating in the Research Immersion Program of the CiiB – Faculty of Medicine.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Biochemistry, Imperial College London
Award Date: 8 Mar 2013
Master, Molecular Medicine, Cranfield University
Award Date: 4 Jun 2009
University Degree, Biomedical Sciences, Universidade do Algarve
Award Date: 1 Aug 2007
External positions
Review Editor, Frontiers Cell and Developmental Biology
19 Oct 2019 → …
PhD Student, Imperial College London
1 Jan 2009 → 1 Mar 2013
PhD Biomedicine, Imperial College London
1 Jan 2009 → 1 May 2013
Miembro, Sociedad Chilena de Reproducción y Desarrollo
Miembro de panel de evaluación Medicina G1- Concursos FONDECYT, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo
Keywords
- RG Gynecology and obstetrics
- implantation
- trophoblast invasion
- blastocyst
- early placentation
- decidualization
- window of receptivity
- FOXM1
- fetal programming
- preeclampsia
- gestational diabetes
- recurrent abortion
- HTR-8/SVneo
Research Lines
- Research Lines
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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FONDECYT INICIACIÓN - 11181249: THE ROLE OF FOXM1 IN EARLY PREECLAMPSIA-RELATED EVENTS
J. Monteiro, L. (Principal Investigator)
Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo
1/11/18 → 16/05/23
Project: RESEARCH
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Validación de algoritmo multiparamétrico para la predicción temprana de Diabetes Gestacional mediante marcadores plasmáticos maternos
Illanes, S. (Director), J. Monteiro, L. (Alternate Director), Correa, P. (Co-Investigator) & Monckeberg, M. (Co-Investigator)
1/01/20 → 1/01/23
Project: RESEARCH
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IMPACT: CENTER OF INTERVENTIONAL MEDICINE FOR PRECISION AND ADVANCED CELLULAR THERAPY
Khoury, M. (Director), Alcayaga-Miranda, F. (Principal Investigator), Cuenca, J. (Principal Investigator), Acevedo, J. P. (Principal Investigator), Figueroa, F. (Principal Investigator), Luz Crawford, P. A. (Principal Investigator), Wyneken, Ú. (Principal Investigator), Illanes, S. (Principal Investigator), Batiz, L. F. (Associate Investigator), Busso, D. (Associate Investigator), J. Monteiro, L. (Associate Investigator), Nardocci, G. (Associate Investigator), Enrione, J. I. (Associate Investigator), Espinoza, F. (Associate Investigator), Valenzuela Bravo, M. T. (Associate Investigator) & Prieto, M. (Associate Investigator)
Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo
1/11/21 → 31/10/26
Project: RESEARCH
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The role of the aromatase pathway in 2-methoxyestradiol synthesis in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia
J. Monteiro, L. (Principal Investigator) & Illanes, S. (Sponsoring Researcher)
2/11/13 → 30/11/17
Project: RESEARCH
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FONDECYT REGULAR - 1201851: Role of mesenchymal stem cells in implantation and their contribution to the decidualization disorders present in preeclampsia
Illanes, S. (Principal Investigator), Pino-Lagos, K. (Co-Investigator), J. Monteiro, L. (Co-Investigator) & Acuña, S. (Co-Investigator)
Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo
1/04/20 → 31/03/23
Project: RESEARCH
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Reduced FOXM1 expression limits trophoblast migration and angiogenesis and is associated with preeclampsia.
Monteiro, L. J., Cubillos, S., Sanchez, M., Acuña-Gallardo, S., Venegas, P., Herrera, V., Lam, E. W. F., Varas-Godoy, M. & Illanes, S. E., 1 May 2019, In: Reproductive Sciences. 26, 5, p. 580-590 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
17 Scopus citations -
Maternal exposure to a high-magnitude earthquake during pregnancy influences pre-reading skills in early childhood
Bátiz, L. F., Palmeiro-Silva, Y. K., Rice, G. E., Monteiro, L. J., Galaburda, A. M., Romero, R., Choolani, M. A., Wyneken, U., Orellana, P. & Illanes, S. E., Dec 2021, In: Scientific Reports. 11, 1, p. 9244 9244.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access4 Scopus citations -
The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Trophoblast Regulation in Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Monteiro, L., Peñailillo, R., Sánchez, M., Acuña-Gallardo, S., Mönckeberg, M., Ong, J., Choolani, M., Illanes, S. & Nardocci, G., 1 Jun 2021, In: Genes. 12, 7, 970.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access22 Scopus citations -
Angiogenic properties of menstrual stem cells are impaired in women with a history of preeclampsia
Varas-Godoy, M., Acuña-Gallardo, S., Venegas-Duarte, S., Hill, C., Caceres-Verschae, A., Realini, O., Monteiro, L., Zavala, G., Khoury, M., Romero, R., Rice, G. & Illanes, S., 2019, In: Stem Cells International. 2019, 1916542.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access4 Scopus citations -
Oral extracellular vesicles in early pregnancy can identify patients at risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus
Monteiro, L. J., Varas-Godoy, M., Monckeberg, M., Realini, O., Hernández, M., Rice, G., Romero, R., Saavedra, J. F., Illanes, S. E. & Chaparro, A., 1 Jun 2018, In: PLoS ONE. 14, 6, e0218616.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access36 Scopus citations
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The role of FOXM1 in early placentation in normal pregnancy
J. Monteiro, L. (Speaker)
24 Oct 2016Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Placental aromatase is deficient in placental hypoxia and preeclampsia
J. Monteiro, L. (Speaker)
15 Jul 2015Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
Courses
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DOCB1210 Avances Biotecnológicos en Medicina
Course
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DOCB3364 Tópicos Avanzados en Biomedicina: Contenido Optativo
J. Monteiro, L., Busso, D., Illanes, S., Batiz, L. F., Chaparro, A. & Monckeberg, M. 20/08/20 → 14/12/20
Course
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DOCB1110 Biología Celular y Molecular en Biomedicina
J. Monteiro, L., Nardocci, G., Batiz, L. F., Busso, D., Acevedo, J. P., Luz Crawford, P. A. & Wyneken, Ú. 22/03/21 → 30/06/21
Course