Neuronal Circuits and Behaviour

Neuronal Circuits and Behaviour

Neuronal Circuits and Behaviour

 

 

Principal Investigator: Juliana M Rosa

 

 

Research:

 

Our group investigates the physiological principles that govern the processing of sensory information in the central nervous system (CNS). We seek to understand how sensory circuits transform external and internal stimuli into neuronal responses and adaptive behaviors, and how these circuits reorganize under conditions of injury or disease.

 

To address these questions, we study the integrated contribution of multiple cell types, including neurons and glial subpopulations (particularly astrocytes), to neuronal excitability, plasticity and network dynamics. We focus specifically on neuron–astrocyte interactions that fine-tune sensory transmission and support circuit stability.

 

Our ultimate goal is to identify intervention strategies that promote functional recovery of damaged sensory circuits following CNS injury or pathology, combining advanced neurobiological approaches with state-of-the-art cellular manipulation tools.

 

 

Main research lines:

 

1. Physiology of sensory systems: study of sensory information integration and processing, and mechanisms regulating circuit excitability.
2. Plasticity and reorganization of neural circuits: analysis of changes in sensory circuits following CNS injury or pathology, identifying potential processes driving functional recovery.
3. In vivo evaluation and development of advanced therapeutic tools: assessment of biomaterials, optogenetic and pharmacogenetic strategies for reconnection and reactivation of sensory and motor circuits.

 

 

Techniques:

 

• Functional imaging of neural circuits: in vivo (miniscopy, fiber photometry, 2-photon microscopy) and ex vivo (calcium imaging using GECIs).
• Electrophysiology: in vivo and ex vivo recordings (field potentials, multielectrode arrays, and patch-clamp).
• Genetic manipulation and opto/pharmacogenetic control: Cre-Lox systems, AAV vectors, DREADDs, optogenetics, FosTrap, and fluorescent sensors.
• Neuroanatomy and connectivity analysis: viral tracers, immunohistochemistry, and advanced microscopy.
• Sensorimotor behavioral assessment: quantitative analysis of responses and paradigms specific to sensory and motor modalities.
• Computational data analysis: programming for the processing of neurophysiological and imaging datasets.

 

 

Team

 

Juliana M Rosa (Principal Investigator, Group Leader)
Marina Sánchez-Petidier (Juan de la Cierva Postdoctoral Researcher)
Verónica Barranco Maresca (PhD candidate)
Andrea Misol Ortiz (PhD candidate)
María del Lamo Atencia (PhD candidate)
Alexandra Veiga (PhD candidate, University of Minho, Portugal, co-supervisor with Joao Oliveira)

 

 

 

Active projects:

 

1. Astro-Coding: Astrocyte contribution to neuronal ensembles encoding sensory modalities at the somatosensory cortex. Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento - Convocatoria 2024. PID2024-155348NB-I00. Fechas: 01/09/2025 - 31-08-2028. Principal investigator: Juliana M Rosa.

 

2. DevNeuroAstro: Developmental Programs and Functional Impact of Neuron-Astrocyte Interactions in Sensory Circuit Formation and Behaviour. Programa Prometeo. CIPROM/2024/52. Fechas: 01/10/2025-31/08/2029. Project leader: Guillermina López Bendito (Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante), Investigador Principal: Juliana M. Rosa.

 

3. Astro-Strategy: Manipulación de los astrocitos con potencial neurotóxico en médula y estimulación cerebral profunda como diana terapéutica para la recuperación motora y funcional tras la LM: una estrategia doble. Junta de Castilla La Mancha. Fechas: 01/06/2024-31/05/2027. Investigadores Principales: IP1: Juliana M. Rosa, IP2: Juan Aguilar.

 

4. Piezo4Spine: Piezo-driven theramesh: A revolutionary multifaceted actuator to repair the injured spinal cord. European Innovation Council. (Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos). Fechas: 01/01/2022-31/12/2026. Coordinación: M. Serrano Tejada. Investigador Principal, Líder SESCAM: Juliana M. Rosa.

 

5. Project. ASTRO-sense: Astrocytic discrimination of sensory modalities in the somatosensory cortex. Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento - Convocatoria 2021. PID2021-126609NA-I00. Fechas: 01/09/2022-28/02/2026. Investigador Principal: Juliana M. Rosa.

 

6. Validación preclínica de las MDSCs como biomarcador predictivo de la capacidad de remielinización en la esclerosis múltiple. Concurso Donación a la Investigación de la Asociación Española de Lucha contra la Esclerosios Múltiple (AELEM). Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos. Fechas: 01/09/2025-31/08-2027. Coordinador: Diego Clemente. Tipo de participación: miembro de equipo.

 

7. Ramon y Cajal Program. RYC2019-026870-I. Fundación Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos. Fechas: 01/05/2021- 30/04/2026. Investigador Principal: Juliana M. Rosa.

 

8. Juan de la Cierva Program. JDC2022-049856-I. Fundación Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos. Fechas: 01/01/2023- 31/12/2025. Investigadora: Marina Sánchez Petidier. Host: Juliana M. Rosa.

 

 

 

Selected publications:

(for complete information, see ORCID: 0000-0003-0857-3746)

 

 

1. Rosa JM* and Aguilar J. (2025) Rethinking Sensory Information Processing: The Essential Role of Astrocytes. Journal of Neurochemistry. *Corresponding (Q1)

 

2. Zaforas M, Benayas E, Madroñero-Mariscal R, Domínguez-Bajo A, Fernández-López E, Hernández-Martín Y, González-Mayorga A, Alonso-Calviño E, Hernández ER, López-Dolado E, Rosa JM, Aguilar J, Serrano MC. (2025) Graphene oxide scaffolds promote functional improvements mediated by scaffold-invading axons in thoracic transected rats. Bioactive Materials (D1)

 

3. Zaforas M, Miguel-Quesada C, Fernández-López E, Alonso-Calviño E, Barranco-Maresca V, Misol-Ortiz A, Aguilar J, Rosa JM*. (2024 ). Protocol for stimulating specific rodent limb receptive fields while recording in vivo somatosensory-evoked activity. STAR Protoc. *Corresponding

 

4. Miguel-Quesada C, Herrera-Pérez S, Zaforas M, Lines J, Fernández-López E, Alonso-Calviño E, Araque A, Aguilar J, Rosa JM*. (2023) Astrocytes adjust the dynamic range of cortical network activity to control modality-specific sensory information processing. Cell Reports  *Corresponding (D1)

 

5. Domínguez-Bajo A*; Rosa JM*; et al. (2021) Nanostructured gold electrodes promote neural maturation and network connectivity. Biomaterials. *co-first authors (D1)

 

6. Rosa JM* et al. (2021) TLR-4 pathway impairs synaptic number and cerebrovascular functions through astrocyte activation following traumatic brain injury. British J Pharmacology, *corresponding (D1)

 

7. Zaforas M*, Rosa J.M.*, et al. (2021). Cortical layer-specific modulation of neuronal activity after sensory deprivation due to spinal cord injury. Journal of Physiology. *co-first authors (Q1)

 

8. Rosa JM* et al. (2021) TLR-4 pathway impairs synaptic number and cerebrovascular functions through astrocyte activation following traumatic brain injury. British J Pharmacology, *corresponding (D1)

 

9. Parada E et al (2019) Early toll-like receptor 4 blockade reduces ROS and inflammation triggered by microglial pro-inflammatory phenotype in rodent and human brain ischaemia models. Brit J Pharm, 2019. (D1)

 

10. Rosa JM, Morrie RD, Baertchs HC, Feller M. (2016). Contributions of Rod and Cone Pathways to Retinal Direction Selectivity Through Development, Journal of Neuroscience  (Q1)

 

11. Rosa JM, Ruhle S, Ding H, Lagnado L. (2016) Crossover Inhibition Generates Sustained Visual Responses in the Inner Retina, Neuron  (D1)

 

12. Rosa JM, Bos R, Sack GS, Fortuny C, Agarwal A, Bergles DE, Flannery JG, Feller M. (2016) Neuron-glia interaction in developing retina mediated by neurotransmitter spillover, eLife (D1)

 

13. Rosa JM and Feller MB. (2014) Neurodevelopment: A novel role for activity in shaping retinal circuits. Current Biology  (D1)

 

14. Esposti F, Johnston J, Rosa JM, Leung K, Lagnado L. (2013) Olfactory stimulation selectively modulates OFF patway in the zebrafish retina. Neuron  (D1)

 

15. Darios, F; et al. (16/11). (2009) Sphingosine targets synaptobrevin and activates synaptic vesicle exocytosis Neuron. (D1)