About Dr. Angel Barco

We are interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory storage, more precisely in the role of transcriptional and epigenetic processes in neuronal plasticity. We also investigate how the malfunction of these mechanisms may lead to pathological situations in the nervous system. To investigate these questions, we use a multidisciplinary approach that combines mouse genetics, molecular biology, physiology and behavioral studies.

Please see also:  http://in.umh.es/grupos-detalle.aspx?grupo=30

5 Selected Publications

Lopez-Atalaya JP., Ito S., Valor LM., Benito E., Barco A. (2013) Genomic targets, and histone acetylation and gene expression profiling of neural HDAC inhibition. Nucleic Acids Res., 41 (17) : 8072-84.

Valor LM., Guiretti D., Lopez-Atalaya JP., Barco A. (2013). Genomic landscape of transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation in early-onset polyglutamine disease. J Neurosci., 33 (25) : 10471-82.

Benito E., Valor LM., Jimenez-Minchan M., Huber W., Barco A. (2011) Comparative transcriptomics identifies CREB as a primary hub of activity-driven neuronal gene expression. J Neurosci., 31 (50) : 18237-50.

Lopez-Atalaya JP., Ciccarelli A., Viosca J., Valor LM., Jimenez-Minchan M., Canals S., Giustteto M., Barco A. (2011) CBP is required for environmental enrichment-induced neurogenesis and cognitive enhancement. EMBO J., 30 (20) : 4287-98.

Valor LM., Jancic D., Lujan R., Barco A. (2010) Ultrastructural and transcriptional profiling of neuropathological misregulation of cAMP-response element binding protein function. Cell Death Differ., 17 (10) : 1636-44.

Awards, Fellowships and Honours

2013            President of the European Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society (EMCCS)
2005            Consejo Social Award to Research Teams, Universidad Miguel Hernández.
2004            Marie Curie Excellence Grant Team Leader (European Commission) (until 2008)
2003            Hereditary Disease Foundation fellow (until 2004)
1998            HFSO fellow (until 2000)
1997            PhD Award, Spanish Royal Academy of Doctors
1996            PhD degree with distinction, UAM
1993            Graduate with distinction in Sciences, UAM

Technical Expertise

• Mouse genetics (brain restricted and inducible mutant strains) and use of recombinant lentiviruses              
• Molecular and cell biology techniques with focus on the analysis of gene expression
• Electrophysiological studies in brain slices
• Behavioral studies in mice