Neural Stem Cell Regulation in Brain Plasticity Research 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 Neural Stem Cell Regulation in Brain Plasticity Group is part of the Neuroscience Cluster at the Cardiovascular Centre of the University of Lisbon (CCUL) from the Lisbon Medical School (FMUL).
Our team
Prof. Sara Xapelli
Prof. Sara Xapelli graduated in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra (2003) and obtained her PhD on the neuroprotective and antiepileptic role of neuropeptide Y at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra (Portugal), the University of Southern Denmark, and the University of Alberta (Canada) (2008). She conducted her first postdoc at CNC, with an internship at the University of Southern Denmark, and a second postdoc at Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM) where she pioneered research on neural stem cells. Since 2018, Sara Xapelli is an Assistant Professor and a PI at FMUL. She is vice-president of the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience, member of the Mind-Brain College Executive Committee, and member of the General Meeting Board of the Portuguese Society of Stem Cells. Sara has received numerous awards, including the ISN Career Development Grant (2021) and the IBRO Early Career Award (2022).
Ines Erkizia-Santamaria, PhD
Ines graduated in Pharmacy (University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 2019), and completed her PhD on the mechanism of action and antidepressant effects of psilocybin (2024). Her research focuses on finding the neurobiological mechanisms involved in psychiatric illnesses, in particular, mood disorders, with the long-term goal to find new pharmacological tools to ameliorate their treatment. As such, she employs in vivo (animal models of psychiatric disorders, behavioural assessments, brain microdialysis, neuroimaging), ex vivo (electrophysiology) and in vitro techniques.
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Leonor is a Biologist (BSc, Universidade de Lisboa) and Neuroscientist (MSc and PhD, Universidade de Lisboa) specialized in epilepsy. Her PhD project focused 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.
Leonor Ribeiro-Rodrigues, PhD
Sara is a Biochemist (BSc, University of Aveiro) and a Neuroscientist (MSc and PhD, Lisbon Medical School, Universidade de Lisboa). Her PhD focused on the impact of Aβ, obesity and physical exercise on hippocampal and hypothalamic neuroplasticity, in the context of Alzheimer's disease-related pathology. Sara is experienced in techniques such as rodent behaviour, immunofluorescence, microscopy, cell culture and ELISA. Currently, she is supporting research as pre-award grants officer for the EU-funded PANERIS project.
Sara L. Paulo, PhD
Joana M. Mateus
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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 investigates how physical exercise and modulation of BDNF, cannabinoid, and adenosine A2A receptors enhance oligodendrocyte formation from SVZ neural stem cells. For this, she uses in vitro (SVZ-neurosphere cultures) and in vivo techniques (Cuprizone mouse model, behavior analysis) coupled to cellular and molecular assays. In parallel, she works as a project manager for the EU-funded PANERIS project.
João is a Neurobiologist (BSc in Biomedical Sciences, Universidade do Algarve; 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 B. Moreira
Madalena is a Biologist currently completing her MSc in Neuroscience at the Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa. Her work focuses on neurogenesis in the context of epilepsy, with an emphasis on the BDNF/TrkB-FL signaling pathway. Using a rat model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, she applies techniques such as immunohistochemistry.
Madalena Rosário
Miguel is a Master Student of Bioengineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, specializing in Regenerative Medicine, having graduated in Computer Science and Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico. He investigates the effects of physical exercise on cognition, neural plasticity, neuroinflammation, and endogenous remyelination using a cuprizone-induced demyelination mouse model. Miguel is using a comprehensive approach combining mouse behavioural testing, immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiology.
Miguel Grilo
Tomás is a medical student (Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa), currently assessing the effects of physical exercise in the RNA expression levels of several growth factors, in mouse models of demyelination.
Tomás Brôco