Líneas de investigación

• Glutamatergic signalling: functional interaction between AMPARs, auxiliary subunits and novel interacting proteins

  Physiological characterization of AMPAR and interacting proteins (TARPs and CPT1C) in neurons and glial cells and the role in memory and sensibility processes. Functional study of NMDAR pharmacology and function in in the framework of neurological diseases, involving new synthesized blocking compounds and positive allosteric modulators characterization.  

• Pathophysiology of the NMDAR receptor and personalised medicine for GRIN-related disorders.

  Functional studies of NMDAR receptors with new block synthesis compounds and positive allosteric modulators in the framework of neurological diseases.

• Ocular physiology: dry eye physiopathology and sensory neurons on the ocular surface. Pathophysiology of the drainage of aqueous humour and the physiopathology of glaucoma

  Study of the ionic channels involved in the detection of painful and irritating stimuli on the ocular surface and its role in eye pathologies such as the dry eye or conjunctivitis. Study of the ionic mechanisms involved in the role of trabecular cells and the regulation of aqueous humour and intraocular pressure in physiological conditions and during glaucoma.

• Physiology and pathophysiology of pain and chronic itch. Study of the ion channels involved in neuronal excitability in the sensory nervous system

  Study of the ionic channels that regulate the electrical activity of sensory neurons and how they are altered during the pathology. Identification of new pharmacological targets for neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

• Microglia-neuron crosstalk in health and disease

  To understand how neuron-glia communication contributes to synapse and neuronal loss, and modulates neuronal activity in neurodegeneration.

  A major current goal of our lab is to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which microglia contribute to alter synaptic and neuronal activity in Alzheimer’s disease, which we believe is crucial to develop novel drug targets and improve the health and well-being of citizens. Towards this goal, we employ cutting-edge multidisciplinary approaches, including pharmacological, behavioral, electrophysiological, biochemical, neuroanatomical, transcriptomics, and super-resolution imaging- in a novel preclinical AD mouse that recapitulates faithfully amyloid and tau pathology.

• N-glycosilation channelopathies and synaptic function

  Investigation how the activity of synaptic proteins and the synaptic function is affected by physiological and pathological N-glycosylation and its ultimate consequences on the neuronal network.