Lucia Castillo Ransanz

PhD student
Team Member

Short CV

2022 - presentPhD candidateVrije Universiteit Amsterdam
2019 - 2021 Master in Neuroscience (cum laude)Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
2018 - 2019 Master in Genetics and Molecular BiologyUAH, UAM and UCM, Madrid Spain
2014 - 2018Bachelor in Health BiologyUAH, Madrid Spain

Research

Neural cells are continuously exposed to mechanical cues that arise from their microenvironment, such as topography, stiffness and viscoelasticity. Recent research has proven the relevance of mechanical cues during brain development and normal brain function, highlighting their role in processes such as neural migration, proliferation, or differentiation. Furthermore, numerous studies have revealed the involvement of mechano-related signalling pathways on several neurological diseases, such as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a genetic multisystem disorder with neurological manifestations. Nevertheless, most of the current cell culture systems do not integrate the mechanical aspects of neural microenvironment, stressing the need to develop in vitro culture platforms that include these parameters. My work explores the combination of iPSC technology and 3D printing techniques to increase the physiological relevance of in vitro brain models and study TSC disease mechanisms from a mechanobiological perspective.

Highlighted publications

-

Contact info

Address:

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR)
Department of Complex Trait Genetics
W&N building, G3
De Boelelaan 1085
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Telephone:

+31 20 598 51 81

E-mail:l.c.castilloransanz@vu.nl