Career history 2016-present: Lecturer in Neuroscience, Principal investigator in Neuroimmunology, University of Southampton, UK. 2013-2016: MRC NIRG Fellow. University of Southampton, UK. 2011-2013: Marie Curie Fellow (IEF FP7, European Union). CNS Inflammation Group, Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, UK. 2010-2011: Postdoctoral Fellow of the Spanish Ministry of Education. CNS Inflammation Group, Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, UK. 2008-2010: Postdoctoral researcher. Neural Plasticity Group, National Hospital of Paraplegics, Toledo, Spain. 2003-2008: PhD student. Neural Plasticity Group, Cajal Institute (CSIC), Madrid, Spain. Academic qualifications 2008: PhD in Molecular biology (Neurosciences). Autonoma University of Madrid , Spain. 2005: MSci in Molecular biology (Neurosciences). Autonoma University of Madrid, Spain. 2003: BSci in Biological Sciences (Neurobiology). Complutense University of Madrid, Spain.

My research is focused in the understanding of the multicellular response of the CNS to injury or neurodegeneration, aiming at providing an integrative and detailed study of the functions and cross-regulation of the different cell components during neuropathology. In the past I studied the role of proinflammatory cytokines in the regulation of the activation state of glial cells, in the context of brain inflammation, spinal cord injury, neuropathic pain or multiple sclerosis. The goal of my current research is to study the regulation of microglial proliferation during chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as prion or Alzheimer's. The expansion of the microglial population is a hallmark of neurodegeneration and contributes to the development of the pathology. A detailed understanding of the molecules and mechanisms orchestrating microglial proliferation could open a window to elaborate therapeutic approaches to control the neuroinflammatory component of the disease. Also, I am interested in the study of the dynamics and regulation of adult neurogenesis during neurodegeneration. Understanding of the basic mechanisms regulating the generation of new functional neurons could provide useful ways to improve functional recovery during chronic neurodegenerative diseases.

Early microgliosis precedes neuronal loss and behavioural impairment in mice with a frontotemporal dementia-causing CHMP2B mutation - Clayton, E.L., Mancuso, R., Nielsen, T.T., Mizielinska, S., Holmes, H., Powell, N., Norona, F., Larsen, J.O., Milioto, C., Wilson, K.M., Lythgoe, M.F., Ourselin, S., Nielsen, J.E., Johannsen, P., Holm, I., Collinge, J., Frej, A., Oliver, P.L., Gomez-Nicola, D. and Isaacs, A.M. Published:2017Publication:Human Molecular GeneticsPage Range:1-40doi:10.1093/hmg/ddx003 Coupled proliferation and apoptosis maintain the rapid turnover of microglia in the adult brain - Askew, Katharine, Li, Kaizhen, Olmos Alonso, Adrian, Garcia-Moreno , Fernando, Liang, Yajie, Richardson, Philippa, Tipton, Thomas, Chapman, Mark, Riecken, Kristoffer, Beccari, Sol, Sierra, Amanda, Molnar, Zoltan, Cragg, Mark S., Garaschuk, Olga, Perry, Hugh and Gomez-Nicola, Diego Published:2017Publication:Cell ReportsVolume:18, (2)Page Range:391-405doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2016.12.041 Neuronal hyperactivity disturbs ATP microgradients, impairs microglial motility, and reduces phagocytic receptor expression triggering apoptosis/microglial phagocytosis uncoupling - Abiega, O., Beccari, S., Diaz-Aparicio , I., Nadjar, A., Laye, S., Leyrolle, Q., Gomez-Nicola, D., Domercq, M., Perez-Samartin, A., Sanchez-Zafra, V., Paris, I., Valero, J., Savage, J.C., Hui, C.W., Tremblay, M.E., Deudero, J.J.P., Brewster, A.L., Anderson, A.E., Zaldumbide, L., Galbarriatu, L., Marinas, A., Vivanco, M.D.M., Matute, C., Maletic-Savatic, M., Encinas, J.M. and Sierra, A. Published:2016Publication:PLoS BiologyVolume:14, (5)Page Range:1-48doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002466 CSF1R blockade slows the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by reducing microgliosis and invasion of macrophages into peripheral nerves - Martinez-Muriana, Anna, Mancuso, Renzo, Francos-Quijorna, Isaac, Olmos-Alonso, Adrian, Osta, Rosario, Perry, Hugh, Navarro, Xavier, Gomez-Nicola, Diego and Lopez-Vales, Ruben Published:2016Publication:Scientific ReportsVolume:6, (25663)Page Range:1-13doi:10.1038/srep25663PMID:27174644