Mentor Areas
The Alvarez lab is interested in understanding the cross-communication between the brain and the immune system. Our laboratory has shown that nervous signals are fundamental in regulating the functioning of the brain vasculature during disease. Currently, we are evaluating the impact of neurovascular signals on the activation of immune cells during neuroinflammation. We are making use of cutting-edge technologies to differentiate stem cells into BBB endothelium as well as make use of animal models and human post-mortem material to study these processes in diseases like multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. We are positioned to make significant contributions to the mechanisms driving neurological diseases given our expertise and close interaction with clinical centers, which facilitate the translation of our findings to the clinical field.
Description:
Our research is focused on elucidating the mechanisms controlling the interplay between the immune and central nervous system (CNS), and how these are dysregulated during disease. Upon infection or injury, the concerted actions of the CNS and the immune system induce responses that create a balance between immune attack and tissue repair to promote healing. Nonetheless, in many neurological disorders this delicate balance is perturbed and these protective mechanisms are inadequate or aberrant, leading to persistent inflammation and ultimately long-term sequelae. Thus, understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms selectively regulating the interaction between the CNS and the immune system is critical to fathom how homeostasis is maintained in health and disturbed in neurological disorders. As the brain vasculature controls the exchange between the periphery and the CNS, we are studying how the neurovascular interface regulates the influence of the immune system on the CNS.
In particular, we are studying such interactions in diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and schizophrenia. Students interested to join our lab will become familiarized with in vitro, in situ, ex-vivo and in vivo techniques to address these questions.
Preferred Qualifications
Students familiarized with immunology, neurosciences, molecular biology, etc. are encouraged to apply. However, previous experience is not required.
Details:
Preferred Student Year
First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.