Research topic: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) focusing on microglia and astrocytes; The role of microenvironment (microglia) on brain tumors; Cognitive decline after brain irradiation; Mechanism of cell death and survival.

Research methods: Manipulation of gene expression in cell lines; Immunostaining of cell cultures and brain sections, Microscopic imaging (e.g., confocal, STED and two photon), Neuronal, astrocytic and microglial primary cultures, Implantation of tumor cells into mice brains and assessment of tumor progression by MRI and CT, Behavioral studies in mice; Analysis of protein and gene expression.

Main projects in the lab include:

1. New therapeutic approaches for treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD); Mechanism whereby CD38 targeting attenuates AD pathology in AD-prone mice.
2. The role of microglia and astrocytes in the progression of primary and metastatic brain; Inhibition of brain tumor progression by targeting CD38 in the tumor microenvironment.
3. In vivo intracranial assessment of the dynamic interaction between microglia, glioma and blood vessels using two photon microscopy.
4. The mechanism of Programmed Cell Death, studies on new stress responses.