Our research is based in the consideration of biological images as complex systems. We combine computerized image analysis and network science to extract the defining signature of complex images and interpret biological processes in development and disease. Consequently, our ongoing research has diversified into different projects: from the topological analysis of fly morphogenesis to the investigation of human neuromuscular disorders.

Network analysis of muscle organization. The diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases is strongly based on the histological characterization of muscle biopsies. However, this morphological analysis is mostly a subjective process and difficult to quantify. We have developed NDICIA, a new method that extract useful information from muscle samples in an objective, automated, fast and precise manner. NDICIA quantification of the severity of muscular dystrophies strongly correlates with the evaluation of the degree of affectation carried out by the pathologist, confirming the method as a useful diagnostic tool.
Continuing the study of muscle biopsies, we are applying our diagnostic tool to the investigation of more neuromuscular diseases. We have also adapted the method for the analysis of mice biopsies. We are now following the postnatal development of mouse muscles to later extent the analysis to different neuromuscular disease models.

5 Selected Publications

Sáez A., Acha B., Montero-Sánchez A., Rivas E., Acha B., Escudero LM., Serrano C. (2013) A neuromuscular disease classification system. J. Biomed. Opt., 18 (6) : 66017.

Sáez A., Rivas E., Montero-Sánchez A., Paradas C., Acha B., Pascual A., Serrano C., Escudero LM. (2013) Quantifiable diagnosis of muscular dystrophies and neurogenic atrophies through network analysis. BMC Med., 11 : 77.

Aldaz S., Escudero LM., Freeman M. (2013). Dual role of myosin II duringDrosophila imaginal disc metamorphosis. Nat. Commun., 4: 1761.

Escudero LM., Costa LdaF., Kicheva A., Briscoe J., Freeman M., Babu MM.(2011). Epithelial organisation revealed by a network of cellular contacts. Nat. Commun., 2: 526.

Aldaz S., Escudero, LM., Freeman M. (2010). Live imaging ofDrosophila imaginal disc development. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A, 107 (32) : 14217-22.

Awards, Fellowships and Honours

2014            PI, Project Grant Clinical and Pre-Clinical Investigation of Neuromuscular Diseases Through Computerized Image Analysis, ISCIII
2013            Ramón y Cajal Contract
2011            PI, Project Grant Drosophila Genetics and Computerized Image Analysis for the Study of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Science
2005            Postdoctoral Marie Curie Fellowship
2005            EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship
2010            Miguel Servet Contract, Spanish Ministry of Health
2010            PI, Project Grant Search & Selection of Parkinson´s Disease Candidate Genes and Validation by Human Genetic Analysis, ISCIII
1999            Predoctoral Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid Fellowship
1997            Undergraduate Fellowship, Spanish Ministry of Science

• Neuromuscular Disorders
• Computerize Image Analysis
• Network Theory
• Drosophila Development
• Morphogenesis