NEUROEPIGENETICS

Myelination is the process from which the axons of neurons are covered by myelin. This forms a multilaminar lipoprotein membrane that facilitates the conduction of the action potential. In the central nervous system (CNS), the myelin sheath is produced by glial cells called oligodendrocytes. Myelinated axon fibers and cells of the oligodendritic lineage largely constitute the white matter of the brain. Particularly in mammals, it is established as a process that occurs mostly in early postnatal stages and ends in the course of juvenile development. However, studies in recent years have shown dynamic changes in the microstructure of white matter in adulthood, in response to perceptual stimuli, experience, and various types of learning. Our research group is interested in determining the epigenetic mechanisms responsible for the activation of important genes for the myelination process in the murine model.

BRIGITTE VAN ZUNDERT

Brigitte van Zundert Biochemist from the Dutch University HLO. She has been specializing in the field of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Master degree from the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands) in 1996 and her Ph.D. from the University of Concepción (Chile) in 2002, 

FERNANDO J. BUSTOS

PhD – Assistant Professor and Investigator Institute of Biomedical Sciences Andres Bello University       

ADRIANA ROJAS

Biochemist – MSc (Universidad de los Andes) – PhD (Universidad de Chile) – Professor at Instituto de Genética Humana – Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

STUDENTS

Epigenetic changes associated with activity-dependent myelination. Result of a spatial memory learning.

Thesis: Dynamic myelination at the molecular level associated with spatial learning

Andrea Valderrama

MD, Student of Master Degree in Biological Sciences at the PUJ. Thesis: Biological validation of the IRF1 connectivity pattern in non-small cell lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.