Aarhus University Seal

Valero Lab

Research Focus

Our group is passionate about nucleic acids (DNA, RNA and XNA). We focus on a unique angle that combines cutting edge nanotechnology tools, nucleic acid chemistry and in vitro evolution techniques to develop novel nucleic acid systems that display a wide variety of functionalities. In particular, we employ new chemistries that enable us expanding the genetic lexicon and chemical space compared to Nature´s toolbox. With this in hand, we can design synthetic biology systems that can establish novel interactions, molecular dynamics, communications and synapses, and use them for studying biologically relevant processes or for therapeutic targeting. The main research milestones of the lab is to apply these systems for: 

  • Biomedicine and diagnostics: Develop novel oligonucleotide-based therapies, specific disease targeting and profiling of biomarkers, improved RNA delivery as well as implementation of point-of-care detection platforms. 
  • Synthetic biology: Develop artificial molecular motors and catalytic systems mimicking enzymes. 
  • Molecular biology and nanotechnology: Generate nucleic acid-based (supra)molecular tools that allow us to get a better grasp on complex biological processes, for instance by applying single-molecule techniques with high spatio-temporal resolution. 

If you are interested in working with us, please check our open positions or directly contact with us, even when there are no current positions available. We are always looking for motivated and talented people that enjoys scientific challenges and a good lab experiences and environment. 

Image with Hover Overlay and Fading Background

Head of group

Julián Valero Moreno

Tenure Track Assistant Professor

Funding & Affiliations

LEO foundation project grant

2024
For the investigation of Langerhans cells (LC) as main drivers of vitiligo as potential targets for novel therapeutic approaches with chemically enhanced RNA aptamers.

ERC Consolidator Grant

European Research Council
2024
For the development of a novel class of biohybrid interlocked molecules (BIMs) that mimic the function of proteins and enable precise biomolecular regulation.

Villum Experiment grant

granted to Laia Civit
2024
Funded by the Villum foundation

Danish RNA society

Member since 2019

CellPAT

Centre for Cellular Signal Patterns
Member since 20XX
Funded by the Danish National Research foundation (DNRF) 

VIROFIGHT

Member since 2019
EU-Horizon 2020, Research and Innovation

PAD Initiative

Pandemic Antiviral Discovery
Member since 2023
Funded by the Gates and Novo Nordisk foundations

For the research on Precision Glyco-Oligomers as Heteromultivalent Influenza A Virus Blockers

NovoSTAR grant

Industrial PhD in collaboration with Novo Nordisk Foundation
2023

For the research of chemical modifications of mRNA

AUFF NOVA grant

Aarhus University Research Foundation
2022

For building of artificial molecular motors using novel RNA catalysts

Novo Nordisk project grant

in Natural an Technical Sciences
2022

For the development of A new class of artificial enzymes and nanoreactors made of DNA

Lundbeck Experiment grant

Lundbeck Foundation (Denmark)
2021

For evolving new types of drugs targeting toxic protein aggregation-reshuffling old players in new ways


BioNEC

Biomolecular Nanoscale Engineering Center
Member from 2019-2023
Center of Excellence funded by the Villum foundation

ISNSCE

International Society for Nanoscale Science, Computation and Engineering
Member from 2015-2017