Current

Research Associate in Instituto de Medicina Molecular

Previous

Research Associate in The Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Postdoctoral researcher in University of Oviedo

Academic formation

• School of Biology, University of Oviedo, Spain (B.Sc., Biology)
• School of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Spain (M.Sc., Biology, Oxidative Stress and PhD, Cell and Molecular Biology)

Interests

• Neurodegeneration, astrocytes, phosphorylation pathways, cell signalling

Awards (recents)

• 2010-2013 Postdoctoral research fellowship, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BPD/63530/2009), Portugal.
• 2009 Pioneer Postdoctoral Scholar Award, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, USA.
• 2008-2009 Postdoctoral research fellowship, Bundy Foundation for Alzheimer’s Research, USA.

"Protein complementation is a peculiar property of proteins discovered in the late 50s. Briefly, a given protein can be split into two non-functional fragments that recover the original function when they are brought together. This property has been confirmed in a wide variety of proteins, including the green fluorescent protein (GFP) family, and used for the development of biologic assays and experimental therapeutic tools. We use protein complementation to visualize and study normal and aberrant protein-protein interactions in living cells in the context of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson´s, Alzheimer´s, Huntington´s or Alexander´s disease.

Although the specific subjects of my research have changed throughout the different stages of my career, I am specialized in cellular neurobiology in normal and pathological conditions. I have worked in cellular and animal models of neurodegeneration, brain cancer and developmental disorders, such as Down´s syndrome. I am currently trying to find a research niche that integrates all my professional experience, in order to make the transition to independency and establish my own group.

This talk will cover my career path and our latest discoveries in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, with special focus on the aggregation and toxicity of mutant huntingtin, the protein responsible for Huntington´s disease."