Mechanisms of neuronal maintenance

Our research is focused on two of the main neurodegenerative pathologies, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). In AD, we studied the role of microglia in the development of the disease, with a special interest in the HIF-PHD3 signaling pathway. In the EP, we studied the reciprocal trophic relationships that maintain postnatally the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and the striatal interneurons. We use biochemical, genetic, bioinformatic, histological and behavioral approaches in genetically modified animals. In parallel, Dr. Luis María Escudero (Ramón y Cajal) investigates how biological tissues are packaged using mathematical and physical concepts. The combination of genetics and molecular biology techniques with network analysis and theoretical models is facilitated by the collaboration with mathematicians and physicists.