Soledad Alcántara Horrillo is Associate Professor from Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics at University of Barcelona.

During nervous system development, genetic and environmental programs interplay to allow the sequential generation of neurons and glia and the initial establishment of the neural circuitry. At the end of this period, molecular sensors of electric activity (like BDNF) modulate neuronal and glial maturation, survival and the final wiring of the system. Effective regeneration after brain damage may require the reactivation of neurogenic neurovascular niches and the mechanisms of development required to replace the damage tissue. The Neural Development group is focused in three main aspects of CNS development: Identification of BDNF signalling effector genes as targets for the regulation of cerebral cortex morphogenesis, pathology and regeneration. Regulation of the neurogenic neurovascular niche during development and its modulation trough metabolic and biomaterial approaches to promote CNS regeneration after an injury. Identification of prognostic or progression biomarkers in paediatric neuropathology affecting synaptic development or after an acquired brain damage.