People

Cecília Reis Alves Dos Santos

Research Interests

The choroid plexus has been the major focus of our research, not only as an important brain barrier, but beyond, as an organ with major impact in the homeostasis of the central nervous system. Some of our recent findings highlight the involvement of the choroid plexus in previously unsuspected functions such as brain chemical surveillance, establishment of circadian rhythms, and neurogenesis. Besides, we have demonstrated that the choroid plexus is highly susceptible to sex hormones and that the choroid plexus transcriptome differs between sexes.
Currently we are extending our investigations to the blood brain barrier as well, by addressing the relevance of the chemical surveillance machinery at the choroid plexus and blood barrier in molecular trafficking into and out of the brain, what may advance the current knowledge into mechanisms pivotal to improve brain targeting therapies.
Other current research interests include:
-studying the impact of choroid plexus derived molecules in neurogenesis,
-Identify the mechanisms regulated by the choroid plexus circadian clock and their impact in brain health and disease
-Understand differences in brain barriers' functions between males and females and their impact in brain health and disease, response to therapeutic agents and detoxification pathways.

Research Group