Research lines

• Neuronal connectivity in Huntington’s disease and other basal ganglia disorders

  Directed by Jordi Alberch

  • Implication of neurotrophic factors and their receptors in the pathophysiology of basal ganglia disorders
  • The study of the mechanisms that modulate connectivity and neuronal network dynamics in the basal ganglia by optogenetics and optopharmacology manipulation
  • Development of molecules that modulate neuronal plasticity in the basal ganglia for treatment in movement disorders

• RNA and genome regulation in repeat expansion disorders

  Directed by Veronica Brito

  Our research focuses on RNA and genome regulation in repeat expansion disorders, with particular emphasis on Huntington’s disease. We study how DNA repair pathways contribute to somatic instability and how RNA regulatory mechanisms, including the epitranscriptome (RNA modifications), affect the transcriptional landscape in HD. In particular, we investigate how m6A influences HTT RNA metabolism and contributes to HTT pathogenesis. Our work aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms driving disease progression and identify novel therapeutic targets.

• Stem cells and regenerative medicine

  Directed by Josep M Canals

  • To study the mechanisms underlying the differentiation of stem cells into specific neuronal populations for cell-based therapies in neurodegenerative disorders
  • Characterization of extrinsic factors and new transcription factors of human and mouse brain development for application in stem cell differentiation
  • Development of therapeutic approaches with mesenchimal stem cells to striatal neurons using gene therapy ex vivo

• In vivo reprogramming during cortex development

  Directed by Daniel del Toro

  • Molecular interactions of guidance receptors during cortex development
  • Effects of partial reprogramming during brain development
  • Cell-cell communication mechanisms in neurodevelopmental tumors

• Glia-neuron crosstalk in Huntington’s disease

  Directed by Silvia Ginés

  • To understand the differences underlying the mechanisms regulating mitochondrial dynamics within astrocytes and neurons to design new targets for pharmacological manipulation of mitochondrial disturbances in HD striatal neurons
  • To evaluate the involvement of Cdk5 in the development and prevalence of depression in HD and to validate Cdk5 as a biomarker and target to treat depression symptoms
  • To investigate whether mutant huntingtin expression induces epigenetic modification changes that contribute to memory and learning deficits in HD
  • To investigate miRNAs alterations as biomarkers of disease progression in peripheral tissue (fibroblasts, CSF…)

• Neural plasticity in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders

  Directed by Albert Giralt

  • Characterization of new genetic risk factors in Alzheimer's disease and the study of new therapeutic strategies.
  • Characterization of the altered circuits in models of mood disorders.
  • Study of neuro-immunological alterations in the context of psychiatric disorders by using translational approaches.

• Monitoring and modulating neural circuits in brain disorders

  Directed by Mercè Masana

  • To determine circuit dysfunction and early network vulnerability in Huntington's disease using fMRI and fiber photometry in mouse models.
  • To understand astrocyte-neuron communication in motor, sensorimotor and cognitive circuits.
  • To modulate circuit function by targeting neurons or astrocytes with opsins and phytochromes to ameliorate symptoms in brain disorders.
  • To develop optical-based neuromodulation technologies for brain circuit control and therapy

• Neural stem cells and brain damage

  Directed by Daniel Tornero

  • Neuronal replacement in stem cell therapies for stroke-damaged brain.
  • Functional studies in neuronal networks using intracellular calcium imaging.
  • Generation of 2D and 3D human in vitro models to study brain disorders.
  • Brain-on-chip models to mimic healthy and diseased neuronal connectivity.

• Generative AI for neuroscience in silico modeling

  Directed by Jordi Abante

  The Abante lab advances neuroscience by creating advanced in silico models that leverage cutting-edge machine learning to uncover biological insights. Our mission is to expand foundational knowledge and accelerate discovery while promoting a future with less reliance on animal experimentation. To achieve this vision, we design generative AI models trained on diverse multimodal datasets, seamlessly integrating omic and functional data to drive discovery.

• Functional genomics of neurodegenerative diseases

  Directed by Eulalia Martí

  We investigate how non-coding RNAs regulate gene expression networks driving age-related neurodegenerative diseases, aiming to uncover pathogenic mechanisms, identify biofluid biomarkers, and develop ncRNA-based therapeutic strategies to counter neuronal dysfunction.