Daniel Navajas, Ph.D.

Professor of Physiology, Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Physiological Sciences I, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona.

Group Leader, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC).

Director of Education for the Degree in Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona.

* dnavajas@ub.edu

( +(34) 934024515

Research

Lung function is primarily determined by the mechanical properties of airways and parenchymal tissues. Mechanical dysfunction of the lung is associated with prevalent respiratory diseases. The research of my group is aimed at furthering our understanding of the mechanical behavior of the respiratory system to improve the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases. We use basic and translational approaches in a multidisciplinary framework involving close cooperation with clinical research groups working in the field of respiratory medicine. We study respiratory mechanics with a multiscale approach extending from organ to molecule.

At the organ level, we study the mechanical properties of the airways and lung tissues and the alterations of the mechanical function associated with respiratory diseases. Our work is mainly focused on mechanics of the upper airway in sleep apnea syndrome, and on mechanical ventilation in acute and chronic respiratory failure.

At the cellular and molecular level, we develop and apply cutting edge nanotechnologies and advanced biophysical techniques to probe the mechanical behavior of the cells and their mechanical interactions with the microenvironment. We study the mechanical properties of the cell and its response to inflammation and mechanical stresses. We develop new approaches to differentiate stem cells using mechanical stimuli. Our research also focuses on the study of the biophysical mechanisms regulating the adhesion and vascular transmigration of leukocytes.

Mapping cell contraction with traction microscopy.	Control of cell shape by surface micro-patterning. Image obtained with atomic force microscopy.

Equipment

Atomic Force Microscopy

Magnetic Tweezers

Cell stretching

Surface Micro/Nano-patterning

Live cell fluorescence microscopy

Traction Microscopy

Cell culture

Respiratory mechanics techniques

Animal models

Teaching

Degree in Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona.

Degree in Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona.

Master in Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona – Polytechnic University of Catalonia.

Publications

Peer reviewed publications > 145

Citations > 5700

H-index = 32

Recent selected publications

Almendros I, Farre R, Planas AM, Torres M, Bonsignore MR, Navajas D, Montserrat JM. Tissue Oxygenation in Brain, Muscle, and Fat in a Rat Model of Sleep Apnea: Differential Effect of Obstructive Apneas and Intermittent Hypoxia. Sleep 34:1127-1133, 2011.

Cagido Viviane Ramos; Zin Walter Araujo; Ramirez Jose; et al. Alternating ventilation in a rat model of increased abdominal pressure. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 175:310-315, 2011.

Dellaca R, Montserrat JM, Govoni L, Pedotti A, Navajas D, Farre, R. Telemetric CPAP titration at home in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Sleep Med 12:153-157, 2011.

Carreras A, Wang Y, Gozal D, Montserrat JM, Navajas D, Farré R. Non-invasive system for applying airway obstructions to model obstructive sleep apnea in mice. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 175:164-168, 2011.

Almendros I, Montserrat JM, Torres M, González C, Navajas D, Farre R. Changes in oxygen partial pressure of brain tissue in an animal model of obstructive apnea. Resp Res 11:3, 2010.

Guerrero A, Embid C, Farré R, Navajas D, Masa JF, Duran J, Montserrat JM. Sleep breathing flow characteristics as a sign for the detection of wakefulness in patients with sleep apnea. Respiration 80:495-499, 2010.

Iranzo A, Isetta V, Molinuevo JL, Serradell M, Navajas D, Farre R, Santamaria J. Electroencephalographic slowing heralds mild cognitive impairment in idiophatic REM sleep behavior disorder. Sleep Med 11:534-539, 2010.

Carreras A, Almendros I, Montserrat JM, Navajas D, Farré, R. Mesenchymal stem cells reduce inflammation in a rat model of obstructive sleep apnea. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 172:210-212, 2010.

Carreras A, Rojas M, Tsapikouni T, Montserrat JM, Navajas D, Farré R. Obstructive apneas induce early activation of mesenchymal stem cells and enhancement of endothelial wound healing. Resp Res 11: 91, 2010.

Puig F, Gavara N, Sunyer R, Farré R, Navajas D. Stiffening and contraction induced by dexamethasone in alveolar epithelial cells. Exp Mech 49:47-55, 2009.

Nacher M, Farré R, Montserrat JM, Torres M, Navajas D, Bulbena O, Serrano-Mollar A. Biological consequences of oxygen desaturation and respiratory effort in an acute animal model of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sleep Med 10:892-897, 2009.

Carreras A, Almendros I, Acerbi A, Montserrat JM, Navajas D, Farré R. Obstructive apneas induce early release of mesenchymal stem cells into circulating blood. Sleep 32:117-119, 2009.

Farré R, Navajas D. Quality control: A necessary – but sometimes overlooked – tool for improving respiratory medicine. Eur Respir J 33:722–723, 2009.

Sunyer R, Ritort F, Farré R, Navajas D. Thermal activation and ATP dependence of the cytoskeleton remodeling dynamics. Phys Rev E. 79:051920, 2009.

Sunyer R, Trepat X, Fredberg JJ, Farré R, Navajas D, Temperature dependence of cell mechanics measured by atomic force microscopy. Phys Biol 6:025009, 2009.

Sellares J, Acerbi I, Loureiro H, Dellaca RL, Ferrer M, Torres A, Navajas D, Farré R. Respiratory impedance during weaning from mechanical ventilation in a mixed population of critically ill patients. Brit J Anaesth, 103: 828-832, 2009.

Almendros I, Acerbi I, Vilaseca I, Montserrat JM, Navajas D, Farré R. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) induces early nasal inflammation. Sleep 31:127-131, 2008.

Pellegrino R, Brusasco V, Viegi G, Crapo RO, Burgos F, Casaburi R, Coates A, van der Grinten CP, Gustafsson P, Hankinson J, Jensen R, Johnson DC, Macintyre N, McKay R, Miller MR, Navajas D, Pedersen OF, Wanger J. Definition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Evidence or opinion based? Eur Respir J 31:681-682, 2008.