Prof. Dr. Arantza Barrios is an Associate Professor in Cell & Developmental Biology at University College London. Her research focuses on understanding how neural circuits in the brain process sensory stimuli into diverse behavioral outputs, a key aspect of learning and decision-making. Barrios’ lab investigates the functional plasticity of neural circuits, influenced by reinforcing experiences, internal states of arousal, and sexual dimorphism. They use the nematode C. elegans as their experimental model due to its simple neural structure and high behavioral plasticity. Their methodologies include behavioral genetic screens, GCaMP recordings, and optogenetics to explore how complex behaviors emerge from neural dynamics at the molecular and single-cell levels.

More information about her work is available at www.barrioslab.org.

Prof. Dr. Jörg Höhfeld is a group leader and researcher at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, focusing on protein homeostasis in cells. His work centers on understanding how molecular chaperones maintain proteome integrity by recognizing, preventing aggregation, and promoting the proper folding of proteins under stress. When proteins are terminally damaged, chaperones aid in their disposal. This quality control system is crucial, as misfolded proteins can lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Dr. Höhfeld’s research employs biochemical and cell biological experiments, using model organisms like fruit flies and mice to study the mechanisms of protein quality control and its regulation in diseases. His studies aim to uncover new therapeutic approaches for protein-aggregation diseases.

More information can be found at his lab’s website, AG-hoehfeld.