The Neurovascular Lab focuses on the blood-brain barrier in Neuropathology as a source of peripheral biomarkers reflecting brain dysfunction, a target for modulation to prevent disease onset and progression, and an obstacle to overcome to achieve therapeutic concentrations in the brain for treatment of brain disorders.

ONCOLOGY

Biomarkers discovery

We inspect plasma samples for disproportional miRNAs and BBB-derived extracellular vesicles along disease progression as peripheral biomarkers of brain injury, particularly of BBB, and validate their origin by brain analysis.

Targets discovery

We perform biological and in silico assays for targets’ discovery and validate their expression in cellular systems, animal models, and patients’ samples.

Drug discovery

We screen libraries of molecules for their ability to improve barrier tightness and prevent brain entrance of cells/molecules, or cross the BBB for therapeutics.

NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Natural compounds neuroprotection and brain accessibility

We inspect natural compounds and/or bioactive metabolites for their ability to modulate BBB properties, cross it and promote neuroprotection.

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Targeted therapies

We develop pharmacologic/genetic therapeutics to specifically act on the BBB or permeate it, as preventive or treatment strategies.

Biological systems

We use BBB and brain pathologies’ in vitro models, encompassing shear stress, in 2D or 3D, single, mixed or co-cultures, and a brain metastasization in vivo model.