Research

The human cerebral cortex is composed of >86 billion neurons that are functionally organized into dozens of distinct cortical areas. Each cortical neuron communicates with other neurons by forming hundreds (even thousands) of synapses. The cellular and synaptic organization of the cerebral cortex underlies its roles in cognition and behavior. My research aims to uncover molecular and cellular mechanisms relevant to the formation of cortical circuits during development. What molecular programs regulate the generation and maturation of cortical cell types? How do cortical neurons establish their specific patterns of synaptic connectivity?

I am particularly interested in understanding the basis of neurodevelopmental disorders that arise when mechanisms of cortical development have gone awry. An increasing number of studies have described the genetic contribution to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. What are the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the emergence of neurodevelopmental disorders?

Postdoctoral Research (since 2021)

As a Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Christopher Walsh (Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School), I am using single-cell technologies to investigate cell type-specific transcriptional programs in brain development and evolution. We recently reported specialized molecular and cellular features that characterize the middle temporal gyrus of humans compared to that of non-human primates (Jorstad, Song, Exposito-Alonso et al., Science, 2023). I am also investigating the functional impact of genetic mutations associated with autism to advance understanding of their role in the development of cortical circuitry.

PhD in Developmental Neurobiology (2016 – 2021)

I did my PhD at King’s College London (Centre for Developmental Neurobiology) under the co-supervision of Beatriz Rico and Oscar Marín. My PhD thesis revealed a mechanism by which two synaptic proteins of the Neuregulin family (Nrg1 and Nrg3) are transported to distinct subcellular compartments of cortical pyramidal cells to independently control the development of inhibitory synapses made and excitatory synapses received, respectively, by ErbB4-expressing interneurons (Exposito-Alonso et al., eLife, 2020). I also contributed to dissecting how Nrg3-ErbB4 downstream signaling regulates local protein synthesis within excitatory synaptic inputs of parvalbumin interneurons and how this molecular mechanism may play a role in autism (Bernard, Exposito-Alonso et al., Science, 2022). To address these questions, I used molecular biology, mouse genetics, CRISPR-based gene editing, in vivo electroporations and stereotaxic injections, immunohistochemistry and RNAscope in situ hybridization, and confocal microscopy. I also gained experience on bioinformatic analysis of transcriptomic data and slice electrophysiology.

MRes in Developmental Neurobiology (2015 – 2016)

I completed an MRes training program at King’s College London, during which I performed three research rotations: (1) with Juan Burrone, to analyze spatial distribution patterns of synapses along basal dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal cells, (2) with Oscar Marín, to develop gene set enrichment analyses of neurodevelopmental disorder-associated genes in cortical interneuron transcriptomes, and (3) with Beatriz Rico, to study differential synaptic wiring between interneuron subtypes and pyramidal cells. During these rotations, I used a variety of molecular, structural and functional techniques, including 3D electron microscopy, transcriptomic analysis, in vitro ChR2-assisted circuit mapping, and electrophysiological recordings coupled with morphological reconstructions of labeled neurons.

MSc in Neuroscience (2014 – 2015)

I completed a master’s degree in neuroscience at the University of Barcelona. I pursued my research thesis with Eduardo Soriano (Institute for Neuroscience, University of Barcelona) to characterize the spatial distribution and ultrastructural features of dendritic spines and presynaptic boutons of hippocampal newborn neurons using focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (Bosch, Masachs, Exposito-Alonso et al., Cerebral Cortex, 2016).

BSc in Biology (2010 – 2014)

I graduated in biology at the University of Alicante (Spain). During this time, I did three research internships: (1) with José Miguel Sempere (Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante), to analyze modulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells on the immune responses of lymphocytes, (2) with Maria Luz de la Sen (Department of Immunology, Alicante General Hospital), to conduct clinical molecular analyses of autoimmune disorders, and (3) with Mario Mellado (National Center for Biotechnology-CSIC, Madrid), to study the role of chemokine receptors in immune responses and cell migration.