Clinical Neuroproteomics

The unit focuses on characterizing the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. With this objective, the group investigates proteins and peptides involved in neuropathogenic processes in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. To this end, the team uses multi-omics approaches that allow them to identify and quantify hundreds of genes/proteins in brain samples, both human and from disease models. Through bioinformatic analyses and Systems Biology, they identify disease-specific molecular pathways and mechanisms, characterizing proteins with potential prognostic and/or diagnostic value. Given the early olfactory dysfunction present in multiple neurological syndromes, the group has recently focused its efforts on characterizing olfactory structures, with the aim of developing future intranasal treatments with the potential to improve cognitive function.

The unit is part of the Spanish Olfactory Network (ROE), the Global GCCR International Consortium (Global Consortium for Chemosensory Research) as well as the Human Brain Proteome Project (HBPP).