Research areas
Our group's work is focused on three main topics:
Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of trophic factors on specific neuronal populations.
In particular, we are characterizing the molecular players involved in the maintenance by GDNF of specific catecholaminergic populations in the central and peripheral nervous systems. By using genetically modified animals, proteomic, genomic and imaging techniques, we are identifying the neuroprotective actions of trophic factors that operate both at the level of the terminals and the soma of these neurons.
Neuronal adaptations to acute changes in oxygen concentration.
We are also studying neuronal adaptations to acute decreases in the levels of available oxygen. These mechanisms will be crucial in determining cellular fate after a hypoxic or ischemic insult. We have used proteomic techniques to study how the proteome evolves in cellular lines and in animals to respond to a physiologically brief episode of hypoxia. The underlying hypothesis is that all cells, and in particular neurons, have specific acute molecular responses to achieve homeostasis under oxygen deprivation. More recently we are investigating the effect of hypoxia on the progression of several neurodegenerative diseases.
Analysis of biological and biomedical images using System Biology methods.
Dr. Luis M. Escudero leads an independent research line combining computerized image analysis and Network Science to investigate different biological and biomedical questions. Extracting the defining signature of complex images we obtain objective and quantitative information that help to interpret biological processes in development and disease. Our research interests span from the morphogenesis of the fly wing to human neuromuscular diseases.
Harasztosi, C; Wolter, S; Gutsche, K; Duran-Alonso, MB; Lopez-Hernandez, I; Pascual, A; Lopez-Barneo, J; Knipper, M; Ruttiger, L; Schimmang, T
Differential deletion of GDNF in the auditory system leads to altered sound responsiveness
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
Vicente-Munuera, P; Gomez-Galvez, P; Tetley, RJ; Forja, C; Tagua, A; Letran, M; Tozluoglu, M; Mao, YL; Escudero, LM
EpiGraph: an open-source platform to quantify epithelial organization
BIOINFORMATICS
Sobrino V, Annese V, Navarro-Guerrero E, Platero-Luengo A, Pardal R
The carotid body: a physiologically relevant germinal niche in the adult peripheral nervous system.
Cell Mol Life Sci.
Harasztosi C, Wolter S, Gutsche K, Durán-Alonso MB, López-Hernández I, Pascual A, López-Barneo J, Knipper M, Rüttiger L, Schimmang T
Differential deletion of GDNF in the auditory system leads to altered sound responsiveness.
J Neurosci Res.
Sobrino V, Annese V, Pardal R
Progenitor Cell Heterogeneity in the Adult Carotid Body Germinal Niche.
Adv Exp Med Biol
Dong C, Helton ES, Zhou P, Ouyang X, d'Anglemont de Tassigny X, Pascual A, López-Barneo J, Ubogu EE.
Glial-derived neurotrophic factor is essential for blood-nerve barrier functional recovery in an experimental murine model of traumatic peripheral neuropathy.
Tissue Barriers.
Gómez-Gálvez P, Vicente-Munuera P, Tagua A, Forja C, Castro AM, Letrán M, Valencia-Expósito A, Grima C, Bermúdez-Gallardo M, Serrano-Pérez-Higueras Ó, Cavodeassi F, Sotillos S, Martín-Bermudo MD, Márquez A, Buceta J, Escudero LM.
Scutoids are a geometrical solution to three-dimensional packing of epithelia.
Nat Commun.
Ortega-de San Luis C, Sánchez-García MA, Nieto-González JL, García-Junco-Clemente P, Montero-Sánchez A, Fernández-Chacón R, Pascual A.
Substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons and striatal interneurons are engaged in three parallel but interdependent postnatal neurotrophic circuits.
Aging Cell.
Piñol-Jurado P, Suárez-Calvet X, Fernández-Simón E, Gallardo E, de la Oliva N, Martínez-Muriana A, Gómez-Gálvez P, Escudero LM, Pérez-Peiró M, Wollin L, de Luna N, Navarro X, Illa I, Díaz-Manera J.
Nintedanib decreases muscle fibrosis and improves muscle function in a murine model of dystrophinopathy
Cell Death Dis.
