LABORATORY OF BIOPHYSICS AND PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY

Research lines

In this laboratory, two main lines of research are conducted in relation to cholinergic signalling. The first of these, the more long-standing, pertains to the study of the molecular basis -not yet described- in normal AChR physiology and pathophysiological situations, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The focus here is on the relationship between the membrane, its composition and organisation, and AChR functionality. The second research line focuses on the identification and optimization of new lead molecules that enhance cholinergic signalling. Recently, we identified caffeine as a bifunctional molecule, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and AChR activator, which also possesses antioxidant properties. We have initiated the design of analogues of caffeine to enhance its activity. The comprehension of lipid modulation in cholinergic signalling, in conjunction with the identification of its potentiating pharmaceuticals, has a considerable impact on the formulation of novel pharmacological strategies for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric pathologies involving not only AChRs but also all the other members of the Cys-loop family.