Dra Almeida has more than 20 years of research experience on the study of molecular mechanisms involved in neuronal death; in particular we are interested in the role of oxidative stress, mitochondrialfunction and cell cycle proteins (Cdh1, p53) in the balance neurodegeneration/neurorepair in excitotoxicity. We use both in vitro and in vivo models of excitotoxicity, which is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. We have identified new target proteins and signaling pathways that play essential roles in excitotoxicity and neuronal survival. Almeida has an H-index of 32.
Dra. Almeida was held different senior positions: 2000-2005: Senior Scientist, University Hospital of Salamanca. Since 2000: Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Salamanca. Since 2006: Group Leader, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL).
The Foundation of the Institute of Health Sciences Studies of Castilla y León, is a non-profit organization with the purpose of to promote training, research and dissemination in matters of Public Health, Assistance, Management and Sanitary and Sociosanitary, Health Law and Occupational Health.
The IBSAL (Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca) was created in March 2011 as a result of a collaboration agreement between the Health Department of the Castile and Leon regional government, the University of Salamanca (USAL), and the Superior Scientific Research Council (CSIC), in order to raise the research quality, and as a result, the teaching and healthcare levels of the Salamanca University Hospital (HUS), the core of the Institute. The mission of the IBSAL is to advance clinical and translational research, promoting synergy between clinical and basic research groups, as well as optimizing resources through common services and more efficient management structures. The vision is to become the benchmark Healthcare Research Institute for the Castile and Leon and west Portugal regions, and to be an international benchmark in Cancer, Neuroscience and Cardiovascular and, as time goes by, in other potential research areas.
The Neuroscience Area of IBSAL is specialised in the study of neurological and psychiatric diseases. Based on the cooperation between the experimental and clinical units, its 7 research groups conduct research into topics ranging from the study of the structure/function relationship in the nervous system and molecular mechanisms involved in nociception, neurotransmission and neurodegeneration to the development andevaluation of new experimental therapies. Some of the pathologies studied are stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, and serious psychiatric disorders.
This project has received funding from the European Union´s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 686009