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leaD reSearcHer
Bovolenta, Paola
Agencia E. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa.
Campus Cantoblanco Nicolás Cabrera 28049 Madrid
(+34) 91 196 4718 [email protected] group website
GROUP MEMBERS
Staff members: Sandonís Consuegra, África
Associated members: Cardozo Ruiz, Marcos Julián | Cavodeassi Madarro, Florencia | Esteve Pastor, Pilar
Main lines of research
Our group investigates the genetic and dynamic events that coordinate early development of the anterior vertebrate neural plate, from which the telencephalon, retina and hypothalamus arise, focusing on aspects that may represent causes of congenital developmental disorders. Driven by unexpected findings, we
have also expanded our interests to explore specific aspects of brain and retinal neurodegeneration, with particular interest in retinal dystrophies and Alzheimer’s disease-like disorders. To address these issues
we use multidisciplinary approaches applied to zebrafish, chick and mouse as experimental models and human brain samples provided by clinical collaborators where necessary.
In the reporting year, we have followed our long-standing interest in retina pigment epithelium (RPE) specification and generated genetic tools in zebrafish to study RPE morphogenesis and how this tissue as whole contributes to optic cup folding. In collaboration with the lab of JR. Martinez-Morales (CABD), we have also exploited these tools and massive genomic approaches to define the gene regulatory network that drives RPE differentiation. Still related to eye patterning and according to our demonstration that the transmembrane proteins Cdon and Boc can act as Shh decoy receptors, we have applied CRISPR/ cas9 technology in zebrafish and generate tools to follow Cdon/Boc/Hh interaction in eye and kidney development, thus modelling developmental disease liked to the dysfunction of these proteins. In the frame of an EraNet funded grant and in collaboration with two of the participating groups (M. Nieto, CNB-CSIC, Madrid and S. Nicolis, Bicocca University, Milan), we are addressing how defects in one visual
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PROGRAMMES
Sensorineural Pathology