Cologne Seminars on Ageing "Astrocyte metabolism: energy or signalling?"

About Juan´s talk:
Brain cell types show specific metabolic signatures that link energy conservation with cell function. For instance, the different relative dependence of astrocytes and neurons on glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation indicates that energy efficiency is not identical across all cell types. We have shown that mitochondrial complex I (CI) and III (CIII) super-assembly differs between these cell types, being CI more tightly bound to CIII in neurons impacting on higher mitochondrial efficiency. In astrocytes, CI is more loosely bound to CIII impacting on higher mitochondrial ROS production. In this seminar I would like to focus on these metabolic configurations and their impact on neuronal function and organismal higher-order behaviors.

Scientific Background:
Dr. Juan Pedro Bolaños is Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Salamanca (Spain). His group is mainly interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms whereby astrocytes handle metabolism and its impact on neuronal function and organismal behavior. He performed research stays in the UK (Radcliffe Infirmary at Oxford and University College London) and France (University of Bordeaux). He is Senior Editor of the Journal of Neurochemistry and member of the Editorial Board of several journals. Amongst other commitments, he was President of the European Society for Neurochemistry, coordinator of the Neuroscience Area of the Spanish National Research Agency, Research Vice-dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and external examiner of the Neuroscience Grade at Trinity College Dublin.