Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
Author Profile
Orchid
🌱 Early Academic Pursuits
Isabel Lastres-Becker’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in chemistry and biochemistry, which laid the groundwork for her future contributions to neurodegeneration research. She earned her Licenciatura in Chemical Sciences with a specialization in Biochemistry from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) on June 13, 1997. Her deep interest in understanding molecular mechanisms at the intersection of biochemistry and neuroscience propelled her toward a Ph.D. with a European Mention, which she completed at UCM on March 13, 2003.
Her doctoral research focused on molecular pathways involved in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in relation to protein misfolding, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. These early investigations provided her with a solid research foundation and the necessary expertise to explore groundbreaking treatments for neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease (HD).
👩� Professional Endeavors
Prof. Lastres-Becker has had an illustrious career spanning over two decades, during which she has made significant contributions to understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Her professional trajectory reflects a steadfast commitment to research excellence and scientific innovation.
🌐 Postdoctoral Research (2004-2009): After earning her Ph.D., she pursued postdoctoral studies at Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität in Frankfurt, Germany (2004-2008), where she expanded her expertise in neuroinflammatory pathways and mitochondrial dysfunction. She then continued her postdoctoral research at CIBERNED, Spain (2008-2009), further strengthening her understanding of proteinopathies and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.
🏫 Academic Positions at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid: Returning to Spain, she was awarded a Ramón y Cajal Researcher contract (2010-2015) at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), marking a turning point in her career as she began leading independent research projects. She was later appointed Profesora Contratada Doctora (2015-2021), and subsequently, she became an Associate Professor (October 2021 – Present) at the Biochemistry Department, School of Medicine at UAM. Throughout her tenure, she has been instrumental in training future neuroscientists and has led several groundbreaking studies.
🧠 Contributions and Research Focus
Prof. Lastres-Becker’s research is highly interdisciplinary, focusing on key aspects of neurodegeneration, mitochondria, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Her work has significantly advanced our understanding of disease progression and therapeutic targets.
💊 Dysregulation of the Endocannabinoid System in Huntington’s Disease: One of her major contributions is demonstrating the dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system in Huntington’s disease models. Her studies have shown how targeting cannabinoid receptors can have therapeutic benefits, opening new possibilities for pharmacological interventions.
💛 NRF2 as a Neuroprotective Factor: Her research has highlighted the protective role of the NRF2 pathway in neurodegeneration, demonstrating how modulating NRF2 activity can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in disorders like ALS and PD.
🔄 Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Proteinopathy: Her investigations into mitochondrial dynamics, TAU pathology, and proteostasis have provided critical insights into how protein aggregation and cellular stress contribute to neurodegeneration, thereby paving the way for targeted therapies.
🏆 Accolades and Recognition
Prof. Lastres-Becker’s contributions have been widely recognized in the scientific community. She has been awarded four research sexennials, a highly prestigious acknowledgment of her continuous and impactful scientific contributions.
Her research excellence has been further demonstrated through:
🎉 Multiple research grants from national and international funding bodies.
🌟 Invitations as a keynote speaker at international neuroscience conferences.
📐 Numerous high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals, making her work a cornerstone in neurodegeneration research.
Her studies have been extensively cited, emphasizing her global influence on the scientific understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Prof. Lastres-Becker’s research has had a far-reaching impact, not only within academia but also in clinical and pharmaceutical applications. Her discoveries have contributed to:
💡 Advancing drug discovery and treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
🧩 Bridging fundamental research with clinical applications, enhancing the potential for novel therapeutics.
👨�� Mentoring the next generation of neuroscientists, ensuring continued advancements in the field.
Her work continues to shape therapeutic strategies aimed at improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
🔬 Legacy and Future Contributions
As an esteemed neuroscientist, Prof. Lastres-Becker’s future contributions will likely focus on:
🚀 Developing targeted therapies for Parkinson’s, ALS, and other neurodegenerative disorders.
🎉 Exploring novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease progression.
🤝 Strengthening international collaborations to accelerate advancements in neurodegeneration research.
🎨 Innovating neuroprotective strategies that integrate cellular and molecular neuroscience.
Her pioneering work continues to offer hope for millions affected by neurodegenerative conditions. With a relentless pursuit of scientific discovery, her contributions will undoubtedly shape the future of neuroscience.
📝Notable Publications
Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor Modulation by the Transcription Factor NRF2 is Specific in Microglial Cells
Author: Isabel Lastres-Becker
Journal: Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Year: 2020
Role of MSK1 in the Induction of NF-κB by the Chemokine CX3CL1 in Microglial Cells
Author: Isabel Lastres-Becker
Journal: Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Year: 2019
Cx3cr1‐deficiency exacerbates alpha‐synuclein‐A53T induced neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
Author: Isabel Lastres-Becker
Journal: Glia
Year: 2018
Impaired Signaling of NF-κB and NRF2 in CX3CR1-Deficient Microglia: Implications in Tauopathies
Author: Isabel Lastres-Becker
Journal: Preprint (bioRxiv)
Year: 2018
Pharmacological targeting of GSK-3 and NRF2 provides neuroprotection in a preclinical model of tauopathy
Author: Isabel Lastres-Becker
Journal: Redox Biology
Year: 2018