Unit of Excellence

The study of neuroscience is essential for unraveling the mechanisms that govern the functioning of the brain and nervous system, one of the greatest frontiers of knowledge in the 21st century. In a context such as Castile and León, where the progressive ageing of the population poses major social and healthcare challenges, iBRAINS-INCYL emerges as a Unit of Excellence in Neuroscience, designed to promote scientific leadership and innovation in this strategic field.

iBRAINS-INCYL is part of the Castile and León Units of Excellence Program, promoted by the Regional Government of Castile and León within the framework of the Regional Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (RIS3). This institutional support positions neuroscience as a regional priority and reinforces the mission of iBRAINS-INCYL: to advance the understanding of the brain and neurological disorders, with a direct impact on two dimensions—improving public health and reducing the socioeconomic burden associated with neurological diseases.

With an interdisciplinary and innovative approach, iBRAINS-INCYL integrates fields ranging from cognitive and auditory neuroscience to cell biology, proteomics, neurotechnology, machine learning, and translational neuroscience. This cross-disciplinary nature enables it to act as a hub for research and knowledge transfer, generating high-quality scientific knowledge and promoting its application in clinical practice and society.

Beyond the laboratory, iBRAINS-INCYL strengthens its commitment to social responsibility, open innovation, and citizen science by promoting the participation of patients, healthcare professionals, and civil society in research processes. It also plays a key role in training the next generation of neuroscientists, consolidating INCyL’s position as an international reference center.

In short, iBRAINS-INCYL represents an institutional strategy of INCyL, involving all its research groups and stakeholders, and is structured around a set of Research Priorities that guide its lines of work and define its strategic goals in excellence, knowledge transfer, and internationalization.

Strategic Goals

Our Strategic Objectives set the direction of iBRAINS-INCYL and reinforce our mission to advance neuroscience with social impact.

SG1 Scientific excellence

To become a national reference in neuroscience.

SG2 Internationalization

To boost global outreach and attract talent.

SG3 Transfer and Innovation

To bring research closer to clinical practice.

SG4 Citizen science

To involve society in research.

SG5 Training

To train the next generation of neuroscientists.

Scientific Programs (SP)

P1 Cognitive and auditory neuroscience (PI: Dr. Manuel S. Malmierca)

It studies how the brain processes sounds and how these mechanisms are altered in disorders such as schizophrenia or Alzheimer’s disease. It also explores the effects of auditory training to improve brain health.

SP2 Cell signaling and proteomics (PI: Dr. Maruan Hijazi)

It investigates new therapeutic targets and biomarkers in brain tumors such as glioblastoma, with the aim of advancing toward more personalized and effective therapies.

SP3 Artificial intelligence applied to neuroscience (PI: Dr. Juan Ignacio Arribas)

It develops machine learning and computer vision techniques to analyze large volumes of data and brain images, improving diagnosis and clinical prediction.

SP4 Neural Circuit Formation and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (PI: Dr. Rubén Deogracias)

It investigates the molecular mechanisms that guide the development of interneurons and brain circuits, with a particular focus on disorders such as schizophrenia and Rett syndrome.

SP5 Neuroregeneration and Neural Repair (PI: Dr. Jorge Valero Gómez Lobo)

It examines how lifestyle factors influence brain plasticity and explores stem cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and autism.

SP6 Neurophysiological Bases of Hearing and Auditory Prostheses (PI: Dr. Enrique A. López-Poveda)

It investigates how we understand speech in noisy environments and applies this knowledge to the development of more effective hearing aids and auditory implants.

SP7 Peripheral Glial Cells and Pain (PI: Dr. Laura Calvo)

It studies the role of Schwann cells in the perception of acute and neuropathic pain, with the aim of opening new therapeutic avenues.

SP8 Brain Tumor Research and the Tumor Microenvironment (PI: Dr. Arantxa Tabernero)

It develops new strategies based on inhibitory peptides to combat brain tumors, while also studying the brain conditions that favor their development.

Results and Impact

iBRAINS-INCYL is a dynamic and continuously evolving initiative. This section highlights the most relevant results of our activities, as well as the resources available to the scientific community and society.

Publications and News

Access to articles, press releases, and reports covering the activities of the unit.

Repositories and Datasets

Open-access results available in institutional repositories and associated platforms.

Knowledge Transfer and Outreach

Outreach materials, participation in forums, and science communication activities.

Blog and Social Media

A more informal space to share research updates, interviews, and reflections on scientific work.

Work

iBRAINS-INCYL is committed to attracting and training talent. This section will publish job offers, contracts, and fellowships linked to our research projects, with the aim of recruiting researchers and professionals interested in neuroscience and innovation.

Contact

If you would like to learn more about iBRAINS-INCYL or get in touch with our team, you can contact us through the institutional channels of the Institute of Neurosciences of Castile and León. We will be happy to respond to inquiries, collaboration proposals, or requests for information.