Discerning the mEchanisms of stem cell protection against COgnitive DEcline in paediatric brain tumours

forthcoming

The primary objective of this MSCA-PF proposal is to support Dr. Laura Pérez Alós in becoming an independent investigator by conducting the innovative DECODE project. DECODE aims to explore the role of the complement system in modulating the neuroprotective mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in radiotherapy-induced brain inflammation (RIBI) in paediatric brain tumours. Specifically, the project will investigate the role of complement in RIBI using juvenile mice of both sexes, and the interaction between the complement system and MSCs will be assessed through in vitro cell culture models and in vivo juvenile mouse models of brain irradiation. Additionally, the project will evaluate the synergistic effects of complement modulators in combination with MSCs to mitigate the neurocognitive dysfunction caused by RIBI. The research will be supervised by Dr. Vivian Capilla González, leader of the Stem Cells and Translational Neurology group at the Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), a cutting-edge research centre that fosters excellence in scientific discovery in Spain. Dr. Pérez Alós, an expert in pharmacy and immunology, deeply focused on the complement system, will collaborate with Dr. Capilla González, who brings extensive expertise in brain irradiation mouse models and MSC modulation. DECODE ensures a multidisciplinary research approach, providing Dr. Pérez Alós with comprehensive training to facilitate her growth as a leader and independent researcher. The project’s findings are expected to pave the way for future collaborations and drive the development of MSC-based therapies for RIBI towards clinical application, ultimately offering safer and more effective treatment options for paediatric cancer survivors. The success of DECODE will create new opportunities for Dr. Pérez Alós to secure her long-term career as an independent investigator.