A5067155034- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
- Neural Networks and Applications
- stochastic dynamics and bifurcation
- Advanced Memory and Neural Computing
- Theoretical and Computational Physics
- Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation
- Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks
- Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- Nerve injury and regeneration
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Complex Network Analysis Techniques
- Prion Diseases and Protein Misfolding
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Anesthesia and Neurotoxicity Research
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Material Dynamics and Properties
Universitat de Barcelona
2016-2025
Hospital Universitari de Girona Doctor Josep Trueta
2020
FC Barcelona
2020
Weizmann Institute of Science
2006-2010
University of Bayreuth
2005-2008
Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with the degeneration of ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons (vmDAns) and accumulation toxic α-synuclein. A non-cell-autonomous contribution, in particular astrocytes, during PD pathogenesis has been suggested by observational studies, but remains to be experimentally tested. Here, we generated induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes from familial mutant LRRK2 G2019S patients healthy individuals. Upon co-culture on top control vmDAns...
A systematic assessment of global neural network connectivity through direct electrophysiological assays has remained technically unfeasible even in dissociated neuronal cultures. We introduce an improved algorithmic approach based on Transfer Entropy to reconstruct approximations structural connectivities from activity monitored calcium fluorescence imaging. Based information theory, our method requires no prior assumptions the statistics firing and connections. The performance algorithm is...
We introduce a novel approach for the quantitative assessment of connectivity in neuronal cultures, based on statistical mechanics percolation graph. This allows us to follow development culture and see emergence network. The becomes fully connected at time equivalent full term. spontaneous bursting activity that characterizes cultures develops parallel with connectivity. average number inputs per neuron can be quantitatively determined units $m_0$, activated needed excite neuron. For...
The epigenomic landscape of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unknown. We performed a genomewide DNA methylation and transcriptome studies in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived dopaminergic neurons (DAn) generated by reprogramming somatic skin cells from patients with monogenic LRRK2-associated PD (L2PD) or sporadic (sPD), healthy subjects. observed extensive changes DAn, RNA expression, which were common L2PD sPD. No significant differences present parental cells, undifferentiated...
Balance of functional integrability and spatial segregation mediates dynamical richness in modular cortical networks.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in intercellular communication as carriers of signalling molecules such bioactive miRNAs, proteins and lipids. EVs are key players the functioning central nervous system (CNS) by influencing synaptic events modulating recipient neurons. However, specific neuron-to-neuron via is still not well understood. Here, we provide evidence that primary neurons uptake neuron-derived soma, dendrites, even dendritic spines, carry proteins....
Laboratory-grown, engineered living neuronal networks in vitro have emerged the last years as an experimental technique to understand collective behavior of assemblies relation their underlying connectivity. An inherent obstacle design such systems is difficulty predict dynamic repertoire emerging network and its dependence on variables. To fill this gap, inspired recent studies, here we present a numerical model that aims at, first, replicating anisotropies connectivity imprinted through...
We study living neural networks by measuring the neurons' response to a global electrical stimulation. Neural connectivity is lowered reducing synaptic strength, chemically blocking neurotransmitter receptors. use graph-theoretic approach show that undergoes percolation transition. This occurs as giant component disintegrates, characterized power law with critical exponent $\beta \simeq 0.65$ independent of balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons indicates degree distribution...
Neuronal dynamics are fundamentally constrained by the underlying structural network architecture, yet much of details this synaptic connectivity still unknown even in neuronal cultures vitro. Here we extend a previous approach based on information theory, Generalized Transfer Entropy, to reconstruction simulated networks both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. We show that, due model-free nature developed measure, kinds connections can be reliably inferred if average firing rate between...
The analysis of the activity neuronal cultures is considered to be a good proxy functional connectivity in vivo tissues. Thus, complex network inferred from patterns promising way unravel interplay between structure and functionality systems. Here, we monitor spontaneous self-sustained dynamics formed by interconnected aggregates neurons (clusters). Dynamics characterized fast activation groups clusters sequences termed bursts. time delays clusters' activations within bursts allows...
Neural progenitor cells generated from human induced pluripotent stem (hiPSCs) are the forefront of ″brain-on-chip″ investigations. Viable and functional hiPSC-derived neuronal networks shaping powerful in vitro models for evaluating normal abnormal formation cortical circuits, understanding underlying disease mechanisms, investigating response to drugs. They therefore represent a desirable instrument both scientific community pharmacological industry. However, culture conditions required...
High-level information processing in the mammalian cortex requires both segregated specialized circuits and integration across multiple circuits. One possible way to implement these seemingly opposing demands is by flexibly switching between states with different levels of synchrony. However, mechanisms behind control complex synchronization patterns neuronal networks remain elusive. Here, we use precision neuroengineering manipulate stimulate cortical neurons vitro, combination an silico...
Neuronal networks in vitro are prominent systems to study the development of connections living neuronal and interplay between connectivity, activity function. These cultured show a rich spontaneous that evolves concurrently with connectivity underlying network. In this work we monitor cultures, record their using calcium fluorescence imaging. We use spectral analysis characterize global dynamical structural traits cultures. first observe power spectrum can be used as signature state...
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative with motor, cognitive and psychiatric impairment. Dysfunctions in HD models have been related to reduced levels of striatal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) imbalance between its receptors TrkB p75(NTR). Thus, molecules activity on the BDNF/TrkB/p75 system can therapeutic potential. 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) was described as agonist several neuro-degenerative diseases, however, activation profile needs further investigation...
The understanding of the key mechanisms behind human brain deterioration in Alzheimer' disease (AD) is a highly active field research. most widespread hypothesis considers cascade events initiated by amyloid-β peptide fibrils that ultimately lead to formation lethal amyloid plaques. Recent studies have shown other agents, particular magnetite, can also play pivotal role. To shed light on action magnetite and neuronal circuits, we investigated their capacity alter spontaneous activity...
Several neurodegenerative diseases cause loss of cortical neurons, leading to sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Studies in different animal models have raised the possibility that transplantation human neuronal progenitors, generated from pluripotent stem cells, might be developed into a novel therapeutic strategy for disorders affecting cerebral cortex. For example, we shown long-term neuroepithelial-like (lt-NES) cell-derived produced induced cells transplanted stroke-injured...
Neuronal cultures are one of the most important experimental models in modern interdisciplinary neuroscience, allowing to investigate a control environment emergence complex behavior from an ensemble interconnected neurons. Here, I review research that we have conducted at neurophysics laboratory University Barcelona over last 15 years, describing first neuronal prepare and associated tools acquire analyze data, next delve into different projects which actively participated progress...
Models for human brain-oriented research are often established on primary cultures from rodents, which fails to recapitulate cellular specificity and molecular cues of the brain. Here we investigated whether neuronal derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) feature key advantages compared with rodent cultures. Using calcium fluorescence imaging, tracked spontaneous activity in hiPSC-derived, human, rat their dynamic functional behavior as they matured. We observed that hiPSC-derived...
Radial glia (RG) progenitor cells are the principal neural progenitors of embryonic brain, giving rise to neurons and glial cells. RG apical-basal polarity anchorage crucial for maintaining their integrity function. By using a biomimetic substrate that reproduces surface properties mechanical anisotropy, we previously described dedifferentiation cultured astrocytes into functional RG, although underlying mechanotransducive components remain largely unknown. Here analyzed role nuclear...