NEUROBIOTEC

Our group studies the mechanisms underlying neurological diseases of neuro-inflammatory aetiology and caused by insulin resistance. We have developed AAV-derived vectors to silence the proteins of the insulin cascade by shRNA. We are using these vectors to study the role of these proteins in certain neuronal circuits in rodent models. In this line we use molecular and cellular biology methods, together with animal models, stereotactic surgery, behavioural paradigm and post mortem analysis. Secondly, as a strategy to develop effective therapeutic interventions, we are studying the effect and mechanism of action of phytohormones that improve cognitive function in models of metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. In this line we are carrying out experiments in cell culture, immortalised lines of neuronal origin, macrophages, glioblastoma and embryos. In these lines we study the effects of proinflammatory agents and the protection mechanism of phytohormone abscisic acid and synthetic analogues.