Email: 
jaime.eugenin@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 096
The Laboratory of Neural Systems is devoted to the study of the genesis and the regulation of the respiratory rhythm in mammalian neonates. Our long-term goal is to determine the biological basis underlying the effects of perinatal nicotine exposure upon the neonatal respiratory neural network. This approach is a paradigm for studying the mechanisms that relate a known population risk, as maternal tobacco smoking, with a higher rate of central nervous system disfunctions as those observed in the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. We combine electrophysiological and morphological techniques using in vivo as well in vitro preparations (isolated brainstem-spinal cord preparation and brainstem slices).
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Neurociencias
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas, mención en Ciencias Fisiológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Médico-Cirujano, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 1984
Email: 
alejandro.hernandez@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 098
Neuroplastic mechanisms operating in pathological conditions such as chronic pain and malnutrition. Approaches are at the molecular, cellular, electrophysiological and behavioral levels.
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Fisiología del Dolor; Desarrollo Cerebral y Nutrición
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Licenciado en Ciencias Odontológicas, Universidad de Chile, 1969.
Cirujano Dentista, Universidad de Chile, 1969
Email: 
monica.imarai@usach.cl
  1. Cellular and molecular mechanisms implicated in salmonid immune response and disease resistance Development of new tools and methods for the study of salmonid immune response Identification of immune cell subtypes and their functional activity Identification of new immunostimulant compounds and development of adjuvants Mechanisms of antiviral immunity.
  2. Immune response against Neisseria gonorrhoeae Local immune response Immune evasion mechanisms
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Inmunología
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas
Bioquímica, Universidad de Concepción, 1984
Email: 
gloria.levican@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 125

Our research is focused on the elucidation of the molecular elements involved in adaptation of microorganisms to environmental changes. We are especially interested in characterization of the oxidative stress response of acidophilic bioleaching bacteria used in the recovery of metals from sulfide ores.  These microorganisms are a suitable model to study this response because of they are exposed to very highly oxidative conditions such as very acid pH and extremely high metal concentration.

Línea(s) de investigación: 
Ecofisiología bacteriana, estrés oxidativo en bacterias biolixiviantes, extremófilos. Biotecnología.
Jerarquía: 
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor (Ph.D) en Cs. Biológicas mención Microbiología. Universidad de Chile, 2003
Licenciada en Cs. Biológicas
Email: 
rodolfo.madrid@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 109
Abstract
Injury of sensory axons at peripheral nerves endings produces functional changes in the damaged neurons.  These changes include an abnormal firing of nerve impulses, both spontaneous and evoked, causing anomalous sensations like dysesthesias and neuropathic pain.  Neuropathic pain is to a large extent refractory to treatments with traditional analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.  Unlike inflammatory pain, many of the molecular determinants associated with the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain are still poorly understood.  Cold allodynia (pain caused by a stimulus of innocuous cold) and hyperalgesia to cold (increased sensitivity to a potentially painful cold stimulus) are two common forms of peripheral neuropathic pain.  Thermosensitive TRP (Transient Receptor Potential) channels and several K channels have been proposed to be involved in this phenomenon.  The main goal of our research is to determine the cellular and molecular bases underlying the altered transduction of thermal stimuli in damaged primary sensory neurons, and to clarify the role of these thermosensitive ion channels in the biophysical modifications occurring in nociceptors and thermoreceptor neurons following injury. 
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Fisiología Sensorial y Nocicepción
Jerarquía: 
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias con mención en Biología Celular, Molecular y Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, 2001
Licenciado en Ciencias, con mención en Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, 1993
Email: 
alejandra.moenne@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
227 181 106

Research

  1. Physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in acclimation and tolerance to copper excess in the marine alga Ulva compressa (Chlorophyta)
  2. Physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in the stimulation of growth and defense against pathogens induced by marine alga oligo-carrageenans in terrestrial plants
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Algas Marinas
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias, Universidad de Paris XI, 1989
Bioquímico, Universidad de Concepción, 1984
Email: 
margarita.montoya@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 086
Research
Our main interest is the metabolic status associated to cancer formation and progression. We have a particular interest in mitochondria and its participation in the generation of a metastatic phenotype. In this respect, we are investigating contribution of endogenous metabolites (i.e. lactate) to cancer progression and mitochondrial redox status.
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Biología celular del cáncer
Jerarquía: 
Instructor
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, 2005
Bioquímica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, 1998
Email: 
bernardo.morales@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 108
Research

Our work is focused on plastic modifications of neuronal circuits in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and visual cortex using sensory experiments, cognitive processes and natural and artificial neuromodulators. Long Term Potentiation (LTP) and Long Term Depression (LTD) are used as models to understand synaptic modifications underlying higher cognitive phenomena such as learning and memory.

Línea(s) de investigación: 
Memoria y Aprendizaje
Jerarquía: 
Titular
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias, mención Biología Molecular, Celular y Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile,
Biólogo Marino, Universidad de Concepción, 1984
Email: 
pedro.orihuela@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 119
Research

Our research is involved to study the physiology of the female genital tract at cellular and molecular level. We are mainly focused to elucidate the genomic and non-genomic signaling pathways of estradiol or 2-methoxyestradiol that regulate reproductive events associated with egg transport, sperm migration or embryo development. Our aim is to find new molecular markers of estrogens to design new therapies that discriminate between genomic and non-genomic effects of estradiol and its metabolites.

Línea(s) de investigación: 
Fisiología Reproductiva
Jerarquía: 
Asociado
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, 2002
Biólogo, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú, 1992
Email: 
claudia.ortiz@usach.cl
Teléfono: 
27 181 110
Research
Our main interest is to study the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of tolerance and adaptation to metal stress in plants. We use this information for biotechnological applications, to clean heavy metals polluted soil and water through phytoremediation. In the short term we will be able to have a stock of resistant plants suitable for phytoremediation purposes.
Línea(s) de investigación: 
Bioquímica Vegetal y Fitorremediación
Jerarquía: 
Asociada
Grados académicos /educación: 
Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Chile, 1997
Bioquímico, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, 1987

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