Our research group is focused on the study of the mechanisms driving the generation of the neural progeny. This implies to understand how the Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) are behaving in order to undergo their lineage progression towards the differentiation of neurons, astrocytes and oligodendroglia. Likewise, it is crucial to elucidate which intrinsic and extrinsic factors are responsible for modulating this process and how they may influence the generation of neural progeny in response to pathological scenarios. Pursuing this goal our group has develop different methods that combine the culture of NSCs in the absence of mitogenic or niche factors, and in adherent conditions, with continuous live imaging by timelapse videomicroscopy. Thus, we are able to see that NSCs isolated from their niche maintain their neurogenic nature, and we may monitor the behaviour of these NSCs and their progeny in real time at the single-cell level, evaluating: cell cycle length; their self-renewal, proliferative and differentiation capacities; cell-fate decision-making; neuronal generation; and cell viability. Moreover, through isolation from their niche, this model constitutes a valuable tool to study how individual factors or pathological situations modify the behaviour of cerebellar neural progenitors. Accordingly, we have adapted these methods to the study of embryonic, postnatal and adult neurogenesis, focusing on the purinergic signalling and its associated modulating and therapeutic potential.

More information:

• https://www.ucm.es/grupos/grupo/545