Xapelli Group
Our mission
We investigate modulators of neural stem cells to boost adult neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis as a strategy for brain functional repair and aim to exploit them as a novel therapeutic platform to counteract brain pathologies such as Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy and Major Depressive Disorder.
The Xapelli Group is part of the Neuroscience Unit (Ana Sebastião Lab) at Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM).
Our team
Sara Xapelli
Sara Xapelli graduated in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC) in 2003 and obtained her PhD from the same Institution in 2008. For her PhD Sara studied the neuroprotective and antiepileptic role of neuropeptide Y and performed the work at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal, at the University of Southern Denmark, Denmark and at the University of Alberta, Canada. Then Sara performed her first postdoc at CNC, with an internship at the University of Southern Denmark. In 2011, she performed a second postdoc at Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM) where she implemented the research field of neural stem cells. In 2016 Sara obtained an “investigador FCT” position. Since 2018 Sara Xapelli is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, and is the PI of the group “Control of neurogenesis and postnatal oligodendrogogenesis” in the Neuroscience Unit at iMM.
Rita graduated in Biomedical Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa in 2015. As a PhD fellow, she was working on the role of mitochondrial processes in neural stem cells. To accomplish this, she used using in-house well established neurospheres cultures. Beyond this technique, she masters different laboratory techniques including in vivo surgeries, respiratory assays, immunostaining, immunoblotting, confocal and wide-field microscopy. As a personal note, she enjoys making handicrafts.
Rita Soares
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Joana is a Biochemist (BSc in Biochemistry, Universidade de Lisboa) and Neurobiologist (MSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidade de Coimbra) working on adult oligodendrogenesis. She is focused on finding mechanisms to potentiate the formation of new myelinating oligodendrocytes from neural stem cells of the SVZ through physical exercise and the modulation of cannabinoid and adenosine A2A receptors. To do this, she uses both in vitro (SVZ-neurosphere cultures) and in vivo techniques (Cuprizone mouse model, behavior analysis) coupled to cellular and molecular assays. Outside of the lab she is a book, travel and food lover and is self-learning Japanese.
Joana M. Mateus
João is a Neurobiologist (BSc in Biomedical Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, and MSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidade de Coimbra) working on postnatal and adult neurogenesis. Currently, he is interested in understanding the effects of caffeine on adult neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. To accomplish this, João uses both in vitro approaches, namely the neurosphere culture and immunocytochemistry, as well as, in vivo techniques, such as behavior analysis and immunohistochemistry. João is very keen on reading and watching movies and tv shows. Of note, he does not like chocolate, however he is very fond of ice cream.
João B. Moreira
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Leonor is a biologist (BSc in Biology, Universidade de Lisboa) and neuroscientist (MSc in Neuroscience, Universidade de Lisboa) specialized in epilepsy. Her PhD project focuses on the relation between epilepsy, neurogenesis, cognition and BDNF/TrkB-FL signaling pathway. To investigate this, she induces an in vivo model of epilepsy and performs distinct techniques, such as behavioral tests, immunohisto-chemistry, western blotting and in vivo surgeries. Out of the lab, she spends time in outdoors activities, like trekking, walking on the beach, or learning to surf. She also likes to travel and spend time with friends and family.
Leonor Ribeiro-Rodrigues