Ikerbasque – the Basque Foundation for Science and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), fostered the creation of the Basque center for neuroscience research, named in the memory of Nicolas Achucarro (Bilbao, 1880-1918), a pioneer of modern brain research. It is a non for profit foundation under the Basque and Spanish laws.

The main strategic objective of Achucarro is to contribute to the development of a socially and economically sustainable Society. To do this we strive to perform world-class research in the study of neuron-glia biology in the normal and pathological brain. This research focus will allow us to contribute to the training of future generations of neuroscientists and be an active partner in the dissemination of the human knowledge about the brain.

Achucarro focuses its research on the brain function in physiology and pathophysiology, with a particular emphasis on:

• In-depth understanding of the organisation and information processing in neural circuitries;
• Identification of genetic and molecular backgrounds of neural circuits during development and ageing;
• Characterisation of genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegenerative and autoimmune-mediated brain diseases; and
• Translational research aimed at the development of new strategies for the treatment of brain diseases.