Our lab is interested in understanding and exploiting the contribution of bioenergetics to neural stem cell fate in the adult brain. By bridging areas of stem cell biology and metabolism, we aim to discover checkpoint mechanisms and promising molecules capable of improving the neuroregenerative potential of these cells throughout adulthood.

Neurodegenerative diseases

The process of generating new neurons from neural stem cells is critical for sustaining cognition and mental health and is severely hampered with ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. Our team aims to uncover the mechanisms by which neural stem cells contribute for the homeostatic control and regeneration potential of the brain, under health and neurodegenerative conditions.

Metabolic diseases

We are particularly focused in unraveling molecular aspects related with the comorbidity of metabolic dysfunction and neurological disorders. Specifically, in understanding how the individual metabolism, driven by physical activity, nutritional habits, and gut microbiome, affects neural stem cell-mediated neuroplasticity.

Evidence-Based Therapeutic Intervention

We foster to develop targeted and innovative pharmacological interventions based on the properties of neural stem cells to promote neural regeneration, as an alternative to neural death. Importantly, we track the value of the identified targets/molecules with the goal of providing treatments with robust evidence regarding their effectiveness.

Health Care Section

We are interested in combining our findings with non-invasive strategies to increase the endogenous protection of neural stem cells throughout life and prevent a wide range of neurological problems. This will ultimately help to improve the wellbeing and life quality in later adulthood and old age population.