The Neuroscience Research Program at the IIS Aragón represents a strategic effort to address major challenges in neurology, mental health, and sensory organs, integrating basic, clinical, and technological research with a translational approach. With the goal of improving the quality of life of patients and the general population, this program stands out for its commitment to innovation, the development of new therapies, and the implementation of advanced diagnostic tools in the National Health System (NHS).
The main lines of research include the study of neurodegenerative, neurovascular, psychiatric, and sensory diseases. Notable projects include the development of biomarkers for the early diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, migraine, and hereditary retinal dystrophies. The program also works on the validation of disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence applied to biosignal analysis, virtual reality for neuropsychological interventions, and sustained drug release methods for ophthalmic pathologies.
The program also has a strong collaborative component, actively participating in national and international networks such as RICORS, STROKOG, and NORDICTUS, in addition to leading local and international initiatives to promote knowledge transfer. This includes the development of patents, the creation of strategic infrastructures such as biobanks and specialized laboratories, and the promotion of public policies based on scientific evidence.
In addition to its impact on research, the program emphasizes the training of new researchers, integrating educational activities at the undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education levels, and promoting a gender perspective in all its projects. The participation of young scientists and the inclusion of new generations are fundamental pillars to ensuring the program's sustainability.
The following document details the objectives, contributions to the NHS, and planned innovations, demonstrating the IIS Aragón's commitment to scientific excellence and generating a positive impact on society. With a multidisciplinary and translational vision, this program is consolidating its position as a benchmark in the field of neuroscience at the national and international levels.
The program coordinator is Dr. Rosario Osta Pinzolas
His main line of research focuses on the development of Experimental therapies and biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), with the aim of moving towards a more personalized and effective approach to this neurodegenerative disease. In recent years, it has expanded its field of study to the analysis of Biomarkers in Alzheimer's and sarcopenia, exploring new avenues for early diagnosis and clinical follow-up in the context of aging and neurological decline. He has published more than 100 indexed articles, most of them in highly relevant and highly cited journals. The group has been awarded 4 competitive prizes (CORIS, AREA, IIS, SEBBM). He has participated in more than 74 research projects and 100 contracts. In addition, she leads the Zaragoza team as principal investigator in the European consortium ENCALS.
From her basic field, Dr. Osta has demonstrated that knowledge transfer is a key part of his career, being co-inventor of 9 patents, of which 5 have been discharged to companies. It has established agreements with companies throughout his research career and was Director of the Secretariat for Technology Transfer and Innovation from the University of Zaragoza for 9 years. Since 2010 he has been part of the Committee for the Creation of Technology-Based Companies from the University of Saragossa.
Training new researchers is an important part of their career, from 2013 to the present, coordinates the Interuniversity Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology from the University of La Rioja and the University of Zaragoza. He has directed 13 doctoral theses, of which 9 have international mention and 6 have received the extraordinary doctorate award, in addition to numerous undergraduate and master's degree theses.
In the field of scientific dissemination, she maintains a close relationship with patient associations, and was one of the founders of RedELA, which currently operates under the umbrella of the Luzon Foundation, where it is part of the Scientific Comittee (https://www.ffluzon.org/comite-cientifico/). Rosario Osta's career is distinguished by her solid foundation in basic and applied research, her commitment to innovation, the training of new researchers, and the connection between science and society.
Further information:
- https://scholar.google.es/citations?user=pMnLe_IAAAAJ&hl=es&authuser=2
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rosario-Osta?ev=hdr_xprf
- https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=6701826869
- https://www.ciberned.es/noticias/26-investigadoras-de-ciberned-entre-las-cientificas-mas-destacadas-en-espana