Man

Julio Andrés Alcayaga Urbina

Profesor Titular

UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE, FAC. CIENCIAS, DEPTO. BIOLOGÍA

Santiago, Chile

Líneas de Investigación


Arterial chemoreceptors; Peripheral control of ventilation; Properties of visceral sensory neurons; Physiological and pathophysiological responses to hypoxic challenges; Neuron-glia interaction

Educación

  •  Fisiología, PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE. Chile, 1988

Experiencia Académica

  •   Profesor Titular Full Time

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

    Ciencias

    Santiago, Chile

    2015 - At present

  •   Profesor Asociado Full Time

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

    Ciencias

    Santiago, Chile

    2001 - 2015

  •   Profesor Asistente Full Time

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

    Ciencias

    Santiago, Chile

    1992 - 2001

  •   Resarch associate Full Time

    University of Utah

    Salt Lake City, Estados Unidos

    1988 - 1991

Experiencia Profesional

  •   Scientific Assessor Part Time

    Topical Testing Inc

    Salt Lake City, Estados Unidos

    1991 - 1991

  •   Visiting professor Full Time

    Victor Segalen Bordeaux II, Bordeaux, France. INSERM. Unité 194

    Bordeaux, Francia

    1998 - 1999

Formación de Capital Humano


DIRECCION O CODIRECCION DE TESIS
2019-2021 “Participación de la proteína quinasa Cdk5 en funciones fisiológicas y patológicas del ganglio nodoso”. Pedro Pablo Piquer Alliende. Doctorado en Ciencias, Mención Biología Molecular, Celular y Neurociencias. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. Codirector.
2016-2019 “Interacción célula glial-neurona: efectos en las propiedades eléctricas de neuronas del ganglio nodoso”. Memoria de Ingeniería en Biotecnología. Lorena Meneses Sepúlveda. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Matemática y del Medio Ambiente, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana.
2016-2018 “Efectos neurotóxicos del fungicida triadimefón sobre el sistema dopaminérgico de las larvas de pez cebra”. Tesis Magíster. Susana Paredes Zúñiga, Magíster en Ciencias Biológicas. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile. Codirector.

Post doctoral fellow
2014-2016 "Caracterización del efecto agudo y crónico de la droga antiepiléptica fenitoína (difenilhidantoina) sobre la excitabilidad neuronal: estudio de su impacto a nivel de célula individual y el escalamiento a nivel de redes neuronales." Jorge Vera Buschmann. Patrocinador.


Difusión y Transferencia


SOCIEDADES CIENTIFICAS
2015-2016 director, Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.
2013- Miembro American Physiological Society.
2013-2014 Past-presidente, Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.
2011-2012 presidente, Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.
2009-2010 vicepresidente, Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.
2007-2008 director, Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.
2005-2006 Past-presidente, Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.
2005- Miembro Sociedad Chilena de Neurociencia.
2003-2004 presidente, Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.
2001-2002 vicepresidente, Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.
1995-2001 director, Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.
1995- Miembro International Society of Arterial Chemoreception (ISAC).
1990 Miembro Society for Neuroscience.
1988 Miembro Sociedad de Biología de Chile.
1987 Miembro Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas.

COMUNICACIONES
Cornejo M, Orellana-García L, Alcayaga J, Sanhueza M (2025). Shaping cortical networks: functional connectivity during early postnatal development. XXXX Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Noviembre 4-7. Concón, Chile.
Orellana-García L, Alcayaga J, Sanhueza M (2025). Offline network dynamics in the piriform cortex: spontaneous events and evoked oscillations. XXXX Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Noviembre 4-7. Concón, Chile.
Poblete C, Lewin J, Utreras E, Sanhueza M, Alcayaga J (2025). Expression and localization of Cdk5, TRPV1, and P2X receptors in nodose ganglion neurons: the basis of a possible modulatory mechanism of vagal afferents? XXXX Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Noviembre 4-7. Concón, Chile.
Alcayaga J, Lewin J, Utreras E (2025). Modulatory role of Cdk5 on TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels and its impact on afferent signaling in mouse nodose ganglion neurons. XXXX Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Noviembre 4-7. Concón, Chile.
Alcayaga J, Lewin J, Piquer P, Utreras E (2025) Neuronal distribution and physiological responses of transient receptor potential (TRP) and ATP Receptors (P2X) in the mouse nodose ganglion (NG). XXI Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Neurociencia. Octubre 1-3. Valdivia, Chile.
Zepeda D, Alcayaga J, Núñez-Parra A (2025) Heart rate in a fragile X syndrome (FXS) mouse model: assessment in conscious behaving and anesthetized mice. XXI Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Neurociencia. Octubre 1-3. Valdivia, Chile.
Cáceres D, Araya M, Pinto-Pardo N, Alcayaga J, Utreras E (2025) Rol de Cdk5 en la comunicación entre odontoblastos y neuronas trigeminales. International Association for Dental research-Chile 2025. 30-31 de mayo, Santiago, Chile.
Zepeda D, Avello F, Alcayaga J, Nuñez-Parra A (2024) Vagus nerve stimulation and basal forebrain in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. XX Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Neurociencia. Octubre 16-18. La Serena, Chile.
Lewin J, Utreras E, Alcayaga J (2024) Role of Cdk5 kinase in modulating TRPV1 and TRPA1 and its relevance to afferent activity in murine nodose ganglion neurons. XX Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Neurociencia. Octubre 16-18. La Serena, Chile.
Utreras E, Piquer P, Alcayaga J (2023) Cdk5-mediated regulation of nociceptive channels in sensory ganglia. Simposio: Ion channels in pain neurophysiology. XIX Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Neurociencia. Octubre 23-25. Concón, Chile.
Araya JM, Duran C, Alcayaga J, Utreras E (2022) Ligation of sciatic nerve increased Cdk5 activity in mouse DRG. XXXIV Reunión Anual Sociedad de Biología Celular de Chile. Diciembre 12-16, Puerto Varas, Chile.
Piquer P, Durán C, Alcayaga J, Utreras E (2022) Cdk5 is a regulator of nodose ganglia activity in rats and mice. LXV Reunión Anual Sociedad de Biología de Chile, XXVIII Reunión Anual Sociedad de Ecología de Chile, XVIII Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Neurociencia. Diciembre 5-7. Pucón, Chile.
Piquer P, Durán C, Alcayaga J, Utreras E (2022) Expression and possible function of Cdk5 in murine vagus nodose ganglion. IASP World Congress on Pain. Septiembre 19-23, Toronto, Canada.
Piquer P, Durán C, Alcayaga J, Utreras E (2021) A possible role for Cdk5 in murine vagus nodose ganglion (NG). XVII Reunión Anual Sociedad Chilena de Neurociencia. Noviembre 2-4. (Virtual).


Premios y Distinciones

  •   OEA -Fellow

    Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA)

    Estados Unidos, 1990

    Post-doctoral fellow

  •   Ferdinando Data Foundation Incentive Award

    International Society for Arterial Chemoreception

    Italia, 1996

    Award to scientific presentation to ISAC congreess from researchers outside USA, Canada and Europe

  •   Premio mejor docente

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

    Chile, 2006

    Best teacher award from the University to a teacher elected by the students


 

Article (56)

Activation of Intra-nodose Ganglion P2X7 Receptors Elicit Increases in Neuronal Activity
Carotid Body-Mediated Chemoreflex Function in Aging and the Role of Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinase
Carbamylated form of human erythropoietin normalizes cardiorespiratory disorders triggered by intermittent hypoxia mimicking sleep apnea syndrome
Carotid Body Chemoreceptors: Physiology, Pathology, and Implications for Health and Disease
Ablation of brainstem C1 neurons improves cardiac function in volume overload heart failure
Behavioral effects of triadimefon in zebrafish are associated with alterations of the dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways
Acute effects of systemic erythropoietin injections on carotid body chemosensory activity following hypoxic and hypercapnic stimulation
Effects of vagotomy on cardiovascular and heart rate variability alterations following chronic normobaric hypoxia in adult rabbits
Imbalance in renal vasoactive enzymes induced by mild hypoxia=> Angiotensin-converting enzyme increases while neutral endopeptidase decreases
Topical Application of Connexin43 Hemichannel Blocker Reduces Carotid Body-Mediated Chemoreflex Drive in Rats
Competition between persistent Na+ and muscarine-sensitive K+ currents shapes perithreshold resonance and spike tuning in CA1 pyramidal neurons
Connexin43 Hemichannels in Satellite Glial Cells, Can They Influence Sensory Neuron Activity?
Intermittent hypoxia and locomotor training enhances dynamic but not standing balance in incomplete spinal cord injury patients
Chronic phenytoin treatment reduces rat carotid body chemosensory responses to acute hypoxia
Intermittent hypoxia does not elicit memory impairment in spinal cord injury patients
Repetitive intermittent hypoxia and locomotor training enhances walking function in incomplete spinal cord injury subjects: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Micromolar copper modifies electrical properties and spontaneous discharges of nodose ganglion neurons in vitro
Micromolar copper modifies electrical properties and spontaneous discharges of nodose ganglion neurons in vitro
Opening of pannexin- and con nexin-based channels increases the excitability of nodose ganglion sensory neurons
Opening of pannexin- and connexin-based channels increases the excitability of nodose ganglion sensory neurons.
Petrosal Ganglion: a more complex role than originally imagined
Petrosal ganglion: a more complex role than originally imagined
Inhibition of rat carotid body glomus cells TASK-like channels by acute hypoxia is enhanced by chronic intermittent hypoxia
Inhibition of rat carotid body glomus cells TASK-like channels by acute hypoxia is enhanced by chronic intermittent hypoxia
Inhibition of rat carotid body glomus cells TASK-like channels by acute hypoxia is enhanced by chronic intermittent hypoxia
Petrosal ganglion responses to acetylcholine and ATP are enhanced by chronic normobaric hypoxia in the rabbit
Petrosal ganglion responses to acetylcholine and ATP are enhanced by chronic normobaric hypoxia in the rabbit
NO modulation of carotid body chemoreception in health and disease
Rabbit ventilatory responses to peripheral chemoexcitators: effects of chronic hypoxia
Responses induced by acetylcholine and ATP in the rabbit petrosal ganglion
Cardioventilatory Acclimatization Induced by Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia
Evidence for Histamine as a New Modulator of Carotid Body Chemoreception
Neurotransmitters in Carotid Body Function: The Case of Dopamine - Invited Article
Modulatory effects of histamine on cat carotid body chemoreception
Root to leaf electrical signaling in avocado in response to light and soil water content
ATP- and ACh-induced responses in isolated cat petrosal ganglion neurons
Effects of intermittent hypoxia on cat petrosal ganglion responses induced by acetylcholine, adenosine 5 '-triphosphate and NaCN
Electrical and pharmacological properties of petrosal ganglion neurons that innervate the carotid body
Are there interactions between acetylcholine- and ATP-induced responses at the level of a visceral sensory ganglion?
Chronic intermittent hypoxia enhances carotid body chemosensory responses to acute hypoxia
Electrophysiological characterization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in cat petrosal ganglion neurons in culture: Effects of cytisine and its bromo derivatives
Endothelins in the cat petrosal ganglion and carotid body: Effects and immunolocalization
Chronic intermittent hypoxia enhances cat chemosensory and ventilatory responses to hypoxia
Neurotransmission in the carotid body: transmitters and modulators between glomus cells and petrosal ganglion nerve terminals
ACh and ATP mediate excitatory transmission in cat carotid identified chemoreceptor units in vitro
Carotid chemosensory neurons in the petrosal ganglia are excited by ACh and ATP
Catecholamine release from isolated sensory neurons of cat petrosal ganglia in tissue culture
Dopamine inhibits ATP-induced responses in the cat petrosal ganglion in vitro
Effects of bicarbonate buffer on acetylcholine-, adenosine 5 ' triphosphate-, and cyanide-induced responses in the cat petrosal ganglion in vitro
Effects of bicarbonate buffer on acetylcholine-, adenosine 5´triphosphate-, and cyanide-induced responses in the cat petrosal ganglion in vitro
Acetylcholine sensitivity in sensory neurons dissociated from the cat petrosal ganglion
Adenosine triphosphate-induced peripheral nerve discharges generated from the cat petrosal ganglion in vitro
Interactions between acetylcholine and dopamine in chemoreception
Lack of correlation between cholinergic-induced changes in chemosensory activity and dopamine release from the cat carotid body in vitro
Nitric oxide modulation of carotid chemoreception
Responses of petrosal ganglion neurons in vitro to hypoxic stimuli and putative transmitters

Abstract (3)

Chronic Phenytoin Treatment Reduces Hypoxic Ventilatory Responses in Rats
Acetylcholine sensitivity in dissociated neurones of the cat petrosal ganglion
Petrosal ganglion responses to arterial chemoreceptor putative transmitters

ConferencePaper (2)

Rabbit ventilatory responses to peripheral chemoexcitators: Effects of chronic hypoxia
Electrical Signal Measurements in Avocado Trees: a Potential Tool for Monitoring Physiological Responses to Soil Water Content?

Errata (1)

Dopamine inhibits ATP-induced responses in the cat petrosal ganglion in vitro (vol 966, pg 283, 2003)

Proyecto (8)

Physiological rôle of neuron-neuron and neuron-glia interactions within a visceral sensory ganglion.
Neuron-neuron and neuron-glia interactions within a visceral sensory ganglion=> physiological relevance.
Biofísica de transporte de iones en las familias de proteínas ClC y Na/K ATPasas=> Investigación y Docencia
Broadening and strengthening international network collaborations=> expanding the horizon on the neurobiology of chemosensation research.
CARACTERIZACIÓN DEL EFECTO AGUDO Y CRÓNICO DE LA DROGA ANTIEPILÉPTICA FENITOINA (DIFENILHIDANTOINA) SOBRE LA EXCITABILIDAD NEURONAL=> ESTUDIO DE SU IMPACTO A NIVEL DE CÉLULA INDIVIDUAL Y EL ESCALAMIENTO A NIVEL DE REDES NEURONALES.
Long term effects of phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin) on peripheral ventilatory control=> studies in humans and an animal model.
Red Iberoamericana de Medicina y Fisiología de Altura (ALTMEDFIS)
Contribution of the carotid body to the hypertension induced by intermittent hypoxia in a rat model of sleep apnea=> role of the sympathetic system, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines

Review (1)

NO modulation of carotid body chemoreception in health and disease
1
Cecilia Vergara

Profesor Asociado

Biología

DEPARTAMENTO BIOLOGIA, FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS, U. DE CHILE

Santiago, Chile

1
Ricardo Fernández

Associate Professor

Salud

Universidad de Los Lagos

Osorno, Chile

9
Rodrigo Varas

Profesor Asociado

Universidad Autónoma de Chile

Talca, Chile

44
Julio Alcayaga

Profesor Titular

Biología

UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE, FAC. CIENCIAS, DEPTO. BIOLOGÍA

Santiago, Chile

50
Rodrigo Iturriaga

Chairman of the Department of Physiology

Physiology

PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE

Santiago, Chile

1
German Ebensperger

PROFESOR ASISTENTE

INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS BIOMEDICAS

UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE - FACULTAD DE MEDICINA

Santiago, Chile

1
Claudio Coddou

Profesor Asociado

Ciencias Biomédicas

Universidad Católica del Norte

Coquimbo, Chile

1
Juan Saez

Professor

Instituto de Neurociencias

Universidad de Valparaiso

Valparaíso, Chile

7
Mauricio Retamal

Associate Professor

Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cancer

Universidad del Desarrollo

Santiago, Chile

10
Paula Zapata

Profesora Asociada

Ciencias del ambiente

Universidad Santiago de Chile

Santiago, Chile

13
Rodrigo Del Rio

Assistant Professor

Physiology

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Luis Leon

Head of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Technology

PhageLab

Santiago, Chile

1
David Andrade

Associate Professor

Biomedico

Universidad de Antofagasta

Antofagasta, Chile

2
Hugo Diaz

PhD

Fisiología

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

2
Pilar Gil

Profesor asociado

Fruticultura y enología

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Claudia Lucero

Profesor-Investigador

Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas

Universidad Autónoma de Chile

Santiago, Chile

3
Esteban Díaz

Research Assistant

Department of Biology

Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Santiago, Chile