Mario Durán Prado (PI)

I did a degree in Biochemistry (with honors, 2000), followed by a Master Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (cum laude, 2002) at the University of Córdoba. My research followed with a PhD in Sciences (cum laude, 2007) in the field of molecular endocrinology and, specifically, analyzing the function of novel somatostatin receptors in health and disease. My postdoc with a Sara Borrell-ISCII contract (2008-2010) was focused in analyzing the role of cortistatin/somatostatin system in vessels dysfunction associated to atherosclerosis and breast cancer. In September 2010, the Medical School of Ciudad Real opened its doors and I could join this fascinating project from the early beginning, so I moved to Ciudad Real as Associate Professor of Cell Biology and joined the Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration Research Group (GEON) being the Principal Investigator since 2017. Herein, we started a novel and dichotomic research line, analyzing and exploiting the dysfunctional vasculature associated to Alzheimer`s disease and brain tumors as a therapeutic target to combat both diseases, focusing on modulating mitochondria and whole cell bioenergetics. I have directed several international, national and regional project and participated in many others from different entities including three funded by the European Union. I combined research with a, sometimes, intensive teaching of Cell Biology, Histology and Integrated Morphology, Structure and Function of the Human Body to students of the degree of Medicine, being several years coordinator of bachelor`s degree final projects. Since 2023, I have had the honor of being a board member of the Spanish Society for Cell Biology (SEBC).

In my free time, I love travelling, performing analog photography, mountaineering and climbing.

Francisco Javier Alcaín

Francisco Javier Alcain Tejada holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Cordoba and is Professor of Cell Biology at the Faculty of Medicine of Ciudad Real. During his scientific career he has investigated the role of antioxidants, such as ascorbate and coenzyme Q10, and antioxidant enzymes on cell proliferation and differentiation and aging. During the last years he has focused on the protective role of coenzyme Q10 for the endothelium of the cerebral microvasculature during the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease in cellular, animal and human models. He has directed 5 doctoral theses and directed several research projects with both public and private funding. He is the author of 80 scientific publications with an h-index of 29 and almost 2500 citations.