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Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology

About

Our research interests are focused on three main aspects of developmental neurobiology and neurodegeneration: development of new lab on chip devices for neurobiological research, new strategies to avoid α-synuclein and tau transport in neurons and new approaches to enhance axon regeneration after lesion.

Development of new lab on chip devices for neurobiological research 

One of our focus is to mimic the developing and neurodegenerating nervous system in lab on chip devices. We believe that combining several different stimuli in the chip resembles a more realistic environment that nerve cells will encounter in the living animal in normal and disease conditions. These experiments using la bon chip models in turn will make future studies on the role of neuronal cells in development and regeneration more accurate and complete. Thus, we developed a new device able to reproduce the formation of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in lab on chip devices. In addition, a device designed to analyse axon lesions of cortical neurons was also developed.

We developed a new device able to reproduce the formation of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in lab on chip devices.

Current experiments of our group in collaboration with groups of IBEC, CIBER-BBN, and other labs aimed at developing new lab on chip devices to mimics and modulate particular neurobiological processes. For example: i) on chip lab platform to monitor drug delivery modulating neuronal activity (see figure); ii) cortico-spinal chips to develop axon regenerative studies of new drug formulation (in collaboration with Imperial College; London); iii) devices tmigrating neurons (in collaboration with i3A, Zaragoza) and, iv) in silico 3D modeling for neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer and Parkinson chip).

Last experiments are focused to reproduce a lab on chip devices to analyse and to reproduce ALS models (in collaboration(Alzheimer and Parkinson chip). Last experiments are focused to reproduce a lab on chip devices to analyse and to reproduce ALS models (in collaboration with Biodonostia Hospital) (Figure 2).

New strategies to avoid α-synuclein and tau transport in neurons 

α-Synuclein is a key player in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. Transmission of synthetic α-synuclein aggregates has been demonstrated in several cellular and animal models. Several groups have reported that insoluble α-synuclein shows prion-like propagation in wild-type mice. However, the basis of the spreading process remains poorly understood although cell to cell transport via exocytosis has been proposed. We described in 2018 that PrPC is a new receptor for α-synuclein involved in their spreading and propagation. Our new objectives aimed to block this interaction to reduce the neuropathological transport of α-synuclein. Similar experiments are also developed in the case of tau, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer´s disease, since tau also binds to PrPC during its inter-neuronal propagation. 

New approaches to enhance axon regeneration after lesion 

 Following axonal lesions in the adult CNS, damaged axons degenerate, while surviving fibres are unable to regenerate, and have a limited capacity to sprout and to re-establish lost connections. Experimental evidence suggests that providing a permissive extracellular environment containing cellular or biomaterial bridges is not enough to increase axon regrow to obtain functional regeneration, supporting the importance of clarifying the complex transcriptional response below these signalling pathways. As an alternative, activating or recapitulating the developmental program of the lesioned neuron to sprout and regenerate may represent a complementary therapeutic approach and may sometimes directly counteract the inhibitory signalling. Optogenetics is currently the state-of-the-art method for activity-based nervous system research, allowing more specific cellular stimulations by light in a less invasive techniques compared to classical electrical stimulation, but leading to a more tailored physiological response3. In our laboratory, we started to analyse whether optical stimulation of lesioned neurons is able to enhance axonal growth or sprouting. These experiments were performed on lesioned cortical neurons in vitro and in vivo.  

Staff

Projects

NATIONAL PROJECTSFINANCERPI
PRPSEM ·  Nuevas aproximaciones para entender las funciones de la PrPC y miembros secretables de semaforinas durante el desarrollo del hipocampo y en neurotransmisión (2019-2022)MICIU (Retos investigación: Proyectos I+D)José Antonio Del Río
STOPTAUPATHOL · Modulation of Tau seeding and pathology in tauopathies by BBBnanocarriers, epitope selective vaccination and ectoPrP Tau receptor bodies (2019-2022)Obra Social “La Caixa”José Antonio Del Río
HDAC3i-SCI-EAE Inhibición de la HDAC3 como terapia para lesiones medulares y enfermedades autoimmunes demielinizantes (2021-2024)MICIU (Retos investigación: Proyectos I+D)Arnau Hervera
FINISHED PROJECTSFINANCERPI
DEVREG Nuevas funciones de PlexinD1/Sema3E, PrPC y las proteínas asociadas a la mielina durante el desarrollo de la corteza cerebral de roedores y en neurodegeneración (2013-2016)MINECO Investigación fundamental no orientadaJosé Antonio Del Río
Red Nacional de Priones (2015-2017)MINECO, Acciones Dinamización “Redes Excelencia”José Antonio Del Río
NEURODEV Nuevas funciones de PlexinD1/Sema3E, PrPC y las proteínas asociadas a la mielina durante el desarrollo de la corteza cerebral (2013-2016)MINECO, I+D-Investigación fundamental no orientadaJosé Antonio Del Río
Mecanismos epigenéticos implicados en la etiología y progresión de las demencias neurodegenerativas rápidamente progresivas (2015-2016)MINECOJosé Antonio Del Río/Miguel Calero
Monitoring neurocognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases using saliva or blood-derived biomarkers and a multiplexed approachObra Social La CaixaJosé Antonio Del Río
Spanish Network of Neurodegerative Diseases of the Ministry of Heath (FIS) (2009-2017)CIBERNED, Reference: P1-L14José Antonio Del Río
ANGIODEVSNC Funciones de genes implicados en angiogénesis y remodelación vascular durante el desarrollo cortical y en neurodegeneración (2016-2019)MINECO, Retos investigación: Proyectos I+DJosé Antonio Del Río
Role of the cellular prion protein as “cross-talk” protein between a-syn/ LRRK2 and p-Tau in sporadic and familiar Parkinson’s disease (2015-2018)Fundació La Marató de TV3José Antonio Del Río
Robots biológicos basados en el control de la union neuromuscular (2016-2019)MINECO, Programa EXPLORA, Reference: TEC2015-72718-EXPJosep Samitier
Red de Excelencia Nacional de Priones (2016-2018)MINECO, Reference: AGL2015-71764-REDTJosé Antonio Del Río

Publications

Equipment

  • Neural stem cell culture
  • Microscopy facility (Olympus BX61 and Olympus IX71 with LCi culture and OKOlab systems)
  • Electroporation system (BTX 600)
  • Pressure microinjection system
  • Protein expression and purification systems
  • Technology of neuronal culture facilities (2D and 3D)
  • Lentiviral production and characterization
  • Protein and DNA electrophoresis
  • In situ hybridization oven
  • Optogenetic in vitro and in vivo stimulation system

Collaborations

  • Dr. Adolfo Lopéz de Munain
    Hospital de Donostia, San Sebastian, Spain
  • Dr. Joaquin Castilla
    CiC Biogune, Bilbao, Spain
  • Prof. Juan María Torres
    INIA-CISA CSIC, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
  • Prof. José María Delgado and Prof. Agnest Gruart,
    UPO, Sevilla, Spain
  • Prof. Jose Manuel García Verdugo
    Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
  • Prof. Jose Manuel García Aznar
    Nanotechnology Institute, Zaragoza, Spain
  • Prof. Fernando Albericio and Ernest Giralt
    Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona
  • Dr. Miriam Royo
    Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona
  • Dr. Elisabeth Engel, Prof. Josep Samitier, Prof. Xavier Trepat and Prof. Daniel Navajas
    IBEC
  • Prof. Ángel Raya
    Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (CMRB)
  • Dr. Antonella Consiglio and Dr. Franc LLorens
    Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, Spain
  • Prof. Jesús Ávila and Prof. Francisco Wandosell
    Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
  • Prof. Isidro Ferrer
    Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, Spain
  • Dr. Alberto LLeó
    Hospital Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
  • Prof. Miquel Vila
    VHIR, Barcelona, Spain
  • Prof. Fanny Mann
    Developmental Institute of Marseille Luminy, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
  • Prof. Yutaka Yoshida
    Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
  • Prof. Masato Hagesawa
    Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo
  • Prof. José Luis Lanciego
    CIMA, Navarra, Spain

News

Application Deadline: 22/07/2022Ref: LT_TR The Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is looking for Laboratory Technician to contribute to the development of novel methods for Neurodegenerative studies using microfluidics and in vitro platforms. The contract will be within the framework of the project “Fabrication of novel microfluidic devices and applications to monitor tau-related neurodegeneration in vitro”.

Laboratory Technician at the Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology Research Group

Application Deadline: 22/07/2022Ref: LT_TR The Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is looking for Laboratory Technician to contribute to the development of novel methods for Neurodegenerative studies using microfluidics and in vitro platforms. The contract will be within the framework of the project “Fabrication of novel microfluidic devices and applications to monitor tau-related neurodegeneration in vitro”.

Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), coordinated by principal investigator José Antonio del Río, are in the media for a study in collaboration with the University of Barcelona (UB) that describes the role of mechanical signals in the formation of the cerebral cortex.

Mechanical signals in the development of the cerebral cortex

Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), coordinated by principal investigator José Antonio del Río, are in the media for a study in collaboration with the University of Barcelona (UB) that describes the role of mechanical signals in the formation of the cerebral cortex.

A scientific team coordinated by José Antonio del Río from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) observed the mechanical signals and traction forces involved in the migration of Cajal-Retzius cells, a group of neurons that play an important role in the development of the cerebral cortex. The study, conducted on rodents, has been published in the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.

Mechanical signals involved in the early development of the mouse cerebral cortex described for the first time

A scientific team coordinated by José Antonio del Río from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) observed the mechanical signals and traction forces involved in the migration of Cajal-Retzius cells, a group of neurons that play an important role in the development of the cerebral cortex. The study, conducted on rodents, has been published in the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.

Researchers at IBEC, in collaboration with hospitals and international partners, have observed that the deficiency of the cellular prion protein leads to behavioral deficits, learning impairment, and enhanced epilepsy-like excitability of the brain, in mice.

The lack of cellular prion protein might lead to epilepsy symptoms and learning deficits

Researchers at IBEC, in collaboration with hospitals and international partners, have observed that the deficiency of the cellular prion protein leads to behavioral deficits, learning impairment, and enhanced epilepsy-like excitability of the brain, in mice.

The accumulation of abnormal glycogen in glial cells of the nervous system causes inflammation and degeneration of the brain. The study, led by IRB Barcelona and with contribution of Arnau Hervera and Jose Antonio del Río from IBEC, has been recently published in the journal Brain.

IBEC researchers contribute to discover the cause of epilepsy and neurodegeneration in Lafora disease

The accumulation of abnormal glycogen in glial cells of the nervous system causes inflammation and degeneration of the brain. The study, led by IRB Barcelona and with contribution of Arnau Hervera and Jose Antonio del Río from IBEC, has been recently published in the journal Brain.

The Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology group with the collaboration of the Nanobioengineering group, both of them at IBEC, have applied a new light-stimulated technique to modulate muscular activity and stimulate cell regeneration of the peripheral nervous system. Thanks to this research they have discovered that muscle activity can activate the neurons and accelerate their regeneration after an injury.

Identified a new repairing mechanism of the peripheral nervous system by applyting bioengineering techniques

The Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology group with the collaboration of the Nanobioengineering group, both of them at IBEC, have applied a new light-stimulated technique to modulate muscular activity and stimulate cell regeneration of the peripheral nervous system. Thanks to this research they have discovered that muscle activity can activate the neurons and accelerate their regeneration after an injury.

José Antonio del Río, principal investigator at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) together with Dr. Isidre Ferrer from Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) led a study where they have unraveled that the pathology shown by patients with Globular Glial Tauopathy is due to the generation of harmful protein deposits for neurons and glial cells. Tauopathies are characterized by the accumulation of phosphorylated tau protein, that associates with phosphate groups.

New advances in the improvement of the design of drugs against glial globular tauopathy

José Antonio del Río, principal investigator at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) together with Dr. Isidre Ferrer from Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) led a study where they have unraveled that the pathology shown by patients with Globular Glial Tauopathy is due to the generation of harmful protein deposits for neurons and glial cells. Tauopathies are characterized by the accumulation of phosphorylated tau protein, that associates with phosphate groups.

José Antonio del Río, Pau Gorostiza, and Samuel Sánchez have been awarded in two of the “la Caixa” calls. José Antonio del Río, principal investigator of the Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology Group at IBEC, is one of the winners of the second edition of the call for applications in biomedicine and health. Del Río’s project focuses on analysing the molecular mechanisms involved in the genesis and propagation of tau protein in brain cells. This protein is linked with several neurodegenerative processes and is present in numerous diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Pau Gorostiza, principal investigator of the Nanoprobes and Nanoswitches Group, also received an award at the second edition of the call for applications for research projects in biomedicine and health. In this case, for his project on degenerative eye conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, which causes blindness due to the progressive degeneration of the cones and rods, which are the light sensitive cells.

Three researchers from IBEC awarded with grants from “la Caixa” for their pioneering and high social impact research

José Antonio del Río, Pau Gorostiza, and Samuel Sánchez have been awarded in two of the “la Caixa” calls. José Antonio del Río, principal investigator of the Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology Group at IBEC, is one of the winners of the second edition of the call for applications in biomedicine and health. Del Río’s project focuses on analysing the molecular mechanisms involved in the genesis and propagation of tau protein in brain cells. This protein is linked with several neurodegenerative processes and is present in numerous diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Pau Gorostiza, principal investigator of the Nanoprobes and Nanoswitches Group, also received an award at the second edition of the call for applications for research projects in biomedicine and health. In this case, for his project on degenerative eye conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, which causes blindness due to the progressive degeneration of the cones and rods, which are the light sensitive cells.

Last sunday 14th July, José Antonio del Río was interviewed at “La marató dels investigadors” TV program to celebrate the closure of cicle of “la Marató 2013” which was dedicated to neurodegenerative diseases, in which his research recieved funding.

José Antonio del Río interviewed at “La Marató dels investigadors” TV program

Last sunday 14th July, José Antonio del Río was interviewed at “La marató dels investigadors” TV program to celebrate the closure of cicle of “la Marató 2013” which was dedicated to neurodegenerative diseases, in which his research recieved funding.

Jobs

Application Deadline: 22/07/2022Ref: LT_TR The Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is looking for Laboratory Technician to contribute to the development of novel methods for Neurodegenerative studies using microfluidics and in vitro platforms. The contract will be within the framework of the project “Fabrication of novel microfluidic devices and applications to monitor tau-related neurodegeneration in vitro”.

Laboratory Technician at the Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology Research Group

Application Deadline: 22/07/2022Ref: LT_TR The Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is looking for Laboratory Technician to contribute to the development of novel methods for Neurodegenerative studies using microfluidics and in vitro platforms. The contract will be within the framework of the project “Fabrication of novel microfluidic devices and applications to monitor tau-related neurodegeneration in vitro”.