NEUROIMMUNOLGY: neurotransmitters-mediated regulation of T-cell response; T-cell response in inflammatory bowel diseases; T-cell response involved in Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis; T-cells in the gut-brain axis in neuroinflammation.

ADVISOR OF POSTOCTORAL TRAINING, THESES AND RESEARCH UNITS

1. Postdoctoral training.

Hugo Gonzalez: "Generation of tolerogenic dendritic cells by transduction with lentivirus". January 2014 – December 2014.

Carolina Prado: "Development of an antigen-specific immunosuppressive cell-therapy for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis". May 2013 – May 2016.

Francisco Contreras: "Targeting dopamine receptor D3 expressed in CD4+ T-cells as a cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease". February 2015 – February 2017.

María Gabriela Colmenares: "Role of dopamine receptor D5 signalling in septic shock". September 2017 – December 2017.

Pía Vidal: "Analysing the epigenetic and transcriptional control of pathogenic phenotypes of CD4+ T-cells associated to inflammatory bowel diseases". July 2018 – July 2019.

Daniela Elgueta: “Generation of regulatory CD4+ T cells with chimeric-antigen-receptors specific to nitrated-alpha-synuclein as a therapy to Parkinson’s disease”. September 2018 – March 2020.

Sebastián Gutierrez: “Insights on the oligomerization mechanisms of GPCR heteromers involved in the migration of CD4+ T-cells towards the intestinal mucosa”. January 2020 – present.

José Manuel Jiménez: "Deciphering the epigenetic control of transcriptional networks controlling pathogenic phenotypes of CD4+ T-cells associated to gut inflammation". March 2020 – present.

2. PhD theses.

Carolina Prado: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of Biotechnology of Universidad Andrés Bello. Thesis entitled " Role of dopamine receptor D5 expressed in immune cells in the development of Multiple Sclerosis". Finished at April 2013.

Hugo Gonzalez: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of Molecular Biosciences of Universidad Andrés Bello. Thesis entitled "Role of dopamine receptors expressed on T-cells in the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease". Finished at December 2013.

Francisco Contreras: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of Biotechnology of Universidad Andrés Bello. Thesis entitled "Role of dopamine receptor D3 in the regulation of CD4+ T-cell function and differentiation". Finished at January 2015.

Andro Montoya: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of Science (mention Molecular and Cellular Biology and Neurosciences) of the Universidad de Chile. Thesis entitled "Regulation of the neuroinflammatory process associated to Parkinson's disease by the dopamine receptor D3 expressed on glial cells". Finished at June 2018.

Daniela Elgueta: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of of Biotechnology of Universidad Andrés Bello. Thesis entitled "Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of targeting dopamine receptor D3 in a mouse model of chronic neurodegeneration". Started at March 2014 and currently ongoing. Finished at January 2019.

Javier Campos: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of of Biotechnology of Universidad Andrés Bello. Thesis entitled "Analysing the involvement of CD4+ T-cells in the gut-brain axis communication associated to Parkinson's disease". Started at March 2017 and currently ongoing. Expected to be finished at March 2021.

Coral Pardo: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of of Biotechnology of Universidad Andrés Bello. Thesis entitled "Evaluar la respuesta del Factor Transcripcional ArcA y el sensor quinasa ArcB de Salmonella Typhimurium a las condiciones encontradas dentro de células del sistema inmune innato y su papel en la evasión de la respuesta adaptativa del hospedero". Started at November 2016 and currently ongoing. Finished at April 2020.

Sebastián Contreras: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of of Biotechnology of Universidad Andrés Bello. “Búsqueda de genes reguladores maestros de la diferenciación linfocitaria en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: una aproximación desde las herramientas computacionales". Started at June 2018 and currently ongoing. Expected to be finished at June 2021.

Zulmary Manjarres: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of Biological Science, mention in Physiological Science of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. “Deciphering the role of the adaptive immunity in the microbiota-brain axis associated to Parkinson’s disease". Started at May 2020 and currently ongoing. Finished at April 2024.

Ornella Chovar: PhD student from the program of Doctorate Immunology & Microbiology of the Universidad San Sebastián. Title of thesis: "Targeting the short-chain fatty acid receptor GPR43 in T-cells as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease". Started at 2022.

Jacob Mora: PhD student from the program of Doctorate Immunology & Microbiology of the Universidad San Sebastián. Title of thesis: "Analysing the role of the heteromeric complex formed by dopamine receptors D2 and D3 on regulatory T cells function". Started at 2022.

Jazmín Castro. PhD student from the program of Doctorate Immunology & Microbiology of the Universidad San Sebastián. Title of thesis: "Analysing the dopaminergic regulation of regulatory T-cells mediated by dopamine receptor D2 and is consequences in gut inflammation". Started at August 2023.

3. MSc theses.

Francisco Osorio: MSc student of Universidad de Chile. Thesis entitled "Determination of the role of dopamine receptor D5 in the inflammatory function of CD4+ T-cells". Started at March 2014 and currently ongoing. Finished at October 2016.

Nicole Rivera: MSc student performing thesis to obtain the title of Master on Biochemist (M.Sc.) by the Universidad Andrés Bello. Title of thesis: "Analysing the interphase of heteromers formed by chemokine receptors and dopamine receptors". Finished at October 2018.

Ornella Chovar: MSc student performing thesis to obtain the title of Master on Science (M.Sc.) by the Universidad de Chile. Title of thesis: "Role of dopamine receptor D3 in the cytotoxic response mediated by CD8+ T-cells". Finished at March 2019.

Paola Tiozzo: MSc student performing thesis to obtain the title of Master on Biochemist (M.Sc.) by the Universidad Andrés Bello. Title of thesis: "Role of dopamine receptor D2 signalling in T-cells in the development of inflammatory colitis ". Started at March 2018 and expected to be finished at March 2019.

Gabriel Kruger: MSc student performing thesis to obtain the title of Master on Life Science (M.Sc.) by the Universidad Andrés Bello. Title of thesis: "Rol del sistema de dos componentes ArcAB en la supervivencia de Salmonella Typhimurium en la evasión de la respuesta inmune del hospedero". Finished at December 2019.

4. Undergraduated students performing theses.

Pablo Díaz: Undergraduated student performing thesis to obtain the title of Biochemist (BSc) by the Universidad de Santiago de Chile. Thesis entitled ”Role of dopamine in the modulation of signaling pathways triggered by inflammatory stimuli in dendritic cells". Finished at May 2010.

Dafne Franz: Undergraduated student performing thesis to obtain the title of Engineer in Molecular Biotechnology (BSc) by the Universidad de Chile. Title of thesis: Modulation of phosphorylation of MAPKs ERK1/2 by the stimulation of dopamine receptors D3 and D5 expressed on T-cells. Finished at July 2012.

Glenda Fuentealba: Undergraduated student performing thesis to obtain the title of Biotechnologist (BSc) by the Universidad de la Frontera. Title of thesis: Role of dopamine receptor D3 expressed on CD8+ T-cells in the induction of cytotoxic response. Finished at January 2013.

Catalina Valeria: Undergraduated student performing thesis to obtain the title of Biotechnologist (BSc) by the Universidad de la Frontera. Title of thesis: Role of dopamine receptor D3 expressed on CD8+ T-cells in the immune response against melanoma. Finished at May 2014.

Francisco Osorio: Undergraduated student performing thesis to obtain the title of Engineer in Molecular Biotechnology (BSc) by the Universidad de Chile. Title of thesis: "Role of dopamine receptor D5 expressed on CD4+ T-cells in the development and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis". Finished at December 2014.

5. Research Units.

Fernando Sierra: Student of Medical Technology from Universidad San Sebastián. Research Unit entitled "Determination of intracellular calcium mobilization triggered by dopamine receptors stimulation in dendritic cells". Started at January 2010 and finished at February 2010.

Rafaela Erices: PhD student from the program of Doctorate of Biotechnology of Universidad Andrés Bello. Research Unit entitled "Modulation of dendritic cells function by factors secreted by melanoma cells". Started at March 2010 and finished at August 2010.

Andro Montoya: Engineer in Molecular Biotechnology, Universidad de Chile. Research Unit entitled "Role of dopamine receptors expressed on T cells in the immune response against tumours". Started at September 2010 and finished at March 2011.

Avisag Jara: Student of Bachelor in Biochemistry of Universidad San Sebastián. Research Unit entitled "Improving the screening analysis of knockout and transgenic mice". Started at November 2011 and finished at February 2012.

Valentina Castillo: Student of Engineer in Molecular Biotechnology, Universidad de Chile. Research Unit entitled "Role of dopamine receptor D5 expressed on CD8+ T-cells in the Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis". April 2012 - June 2012.

Javiera Álvarez: Student of Bachelor in Biochemistry of Universidad San Sebastián. Research Unit entitled "Role of dopamine receptors expressed in CD4+ T-cells in the development of autoimmunity". Started at December 2012 and finished at February 2013.

Alexandra García: Student of Bachelor in Biochemistry of Universidad de Chile. Research Unit entitled "Role of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the regulation of immunity". Started at December 2012 and finished at February 2013.

Francisco Osorio: Student of Engineer in Molecular Biotechnology, Universidad de Chile. Research Unit entitled "Analysis of the inflammatory cell populations infiltrated into the central nervous system during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis". March 2013 - August 2013.

Juan José Saez: Engineer in Molecular Biotechnology, Universidad de Chile. Research Unit entitled "Evaluation of induction of tolerogenic dendritic cells with drugs affecting epigenetics modifications". September 2013 - January 2014.

Nicole Rivera: Student of Bachelor in Biochemistry of Universidad Andrés Bello. Research Unit entitled "Analysing the cross-antagonism of dopamine receptors expressed in dendritic cells". Started at September 2015 and expected to be finished at December 2015.

Camila Gudenschwager: Student of Engineer in Molecular Biotechnology (BSc) by the Universidad de Chile. Research Unit entitled "Analysing the role of dopamine receptor D5 expressed in the hematopoietic compartment in the regulation of sepsis". Started at March 2015 and finished at October 2015.

Vania Macias: Student of Bachelor in Biochemistry (BSc) by the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Research Unit entitled "Analysing the functional interaction between dopamine receptor D5 and C-C chemokine receptor 9 in the migration of CD4+ T-cells". Started at March 2016 and expected to be finished at August 2016.

Michelle Salazar: Engineer in Biotechnology, Universidad de Chile. Research Unit entitled "Evaluation of role of gut-microbiota in the protective effect of lack of dopamine receptor D3 in inflammatory colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate". March 2017 - April 2017.

Paola Tiozzo: Student of Bachelor in Biochemistry of Universidad Andrés Bello. Research Unit entitled "Evaluating the role of dopamine receptor D2 signalling in T-cells in the development of inflammatory colitis". Started at September 2017 - February 2018.

Max Perilstein: Student of Bachelor in Biology from Washington & Jefferson College. Research Unit entitled "Evaluating the functional cross-talk between dopaminergic drugs and antagonists of chemokine receptors in T-cells”. June 2018 – August 2018.

2012-present. Our laboratory received school students every year, which came to our institution to see how we do research. Every year in november-december, the students that have been interested in our research are invited to perform a short research unit for two weeks to better understand our research.

2012-2013. Hugo González, a PhD student of the Laboratory of Neuroimmunology participated in Bus Conciencia, a bus bearing a laboratory inside which aims to visit different schools to show and teach school students how scientists perform science.

2013. Andro Montoya, a PhD student of the Laboratory of Neuroimmunology gave two interviews: one in radio Universidad de Chile in the program "quiero ser científico" driven by Hortensia Morales (outreach director, Facultad de Ciencias of Universidad de Chile), and the other one in the television (program "camuflados" ArTV channel). In both interviews, he explained to the society how is the life of scientists and how a research laboratory works.

2014. An interview of Dr. Rodrigo Pacheco about the role of cannabinoids in the physiopathology of Parkinson's disease was published in a local non-scientific journal for general public: Revista CÁÑAMO vol.88, pp.44, August 2014.

2015. An interview of Dr. Rodrigo Pacheco about his experience performing research was published in the web page of redbionova. http://www.redbionova.com/perfiles/rodrigo-pacheco-yo-creo-que-en-chile-hay-cientificos-muy-buenos-y-que-logran-sacar-adelante-preguntas-muy-interesantes/

2016-2017. A capsule about Dr. Rodrigo Pacheco talking to the general society was shown in the television (many times during may-jury 2017) explaining what is his research looking for and why is so important biomedical research for our society.

2018. A report about the reserach performed in the Laboratory of Neuroimmunology was published in a TV program (Exploradores), which is also available in internet.

2018-present. Ciencia Joven program. Every year, head of research laboratories visited schools to advice primary school students in their scientific project. Afterward students visited reserachers at the laboratories to learn about the reserach conducted in each laboratory. In a separate sesion, school teachers visited researchers to get advice about how to teach science in the school.

2018. Interview in a national circulation newspaper "Las últimas noticias". The head of the laboratory of Neuroimmunology had an interview about his opinion in a biomedical research in Parkinson's disease conducted by a national reserach team.

2018. A report about the reserach performed in the Laboratory of Neuroimmunology was published in a national circulation newspaper (Las últimas noticias), which is also available in internet.

2018. Interview in a radio program "La invención del futuro" (Radio Pauta). The head of the laboratory of Neuroimmunology had an interview about an award received from Michael J Fox Foundation to perform biomedical research in Parkinson's disease.

2018. The web site RedBionova published a report about an award received by the Laboratory of Neuroimmunology of the Fundación Ciencia & Vida from the Michael J Fox Foundation to perform biomedical research in Parkinson's disease.

2018-2019. Undegraduate students of Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Universidad Austral visited research laboratories at Fundación Ciencia & Vida to learn about the research conduced in each area.

2020. EL GRAN IMPOSTOR, así engaña al cuerpo el coronavirus. Rodrigo Pacheco interview in LA TERCERA. 25 May 2020. https://www.latercera.com/que-pasa/noticia/el-gran-impostor-asi-engana-al-cuerpo-el-coronavirus/SZC3PYDZPBESZMUUVXO6KNKZNU/

2020. Vacunas contra el sarampión y tuberculosis podrían protegerte contra el coronavirus. Rodrigo Pacheco interview in LA TERCERA. 25 May 2020. https://www.latercera.com/que-pasa/noticia/vacunas-contra-el-sarampion-y-tuberculosis-podrian-protegerte-frente-al-coronavirus/YM6GG4326JHC7J35C5ZNNXVFJQ/

2020. El debate que surgirá cuando esté lista la vacuna contra el coronavirus: ¿quién primero?. Rodrigo Pacheco interview in LA TERCERA. 20 May 2020. https://www.latercera.com/que-pasa/noticia/el-debate-que-surgira-cuando-este-lista-una-vacuna-contra-el-coronavirus-quien-primero/IXO3DYUH6FBKVG4CPOTYKTCW7A/

2020. Radio agricultura. Dos vacunas se acercan a ser el antídoto contra el coronavirus. 28 May 2020. https://www.radioagricultura.cl/internacional/2020/05/28/dos-vacunas-se-acercan-a-ser-el-antidoto-contra-el-coronavirus.html

2020. Reportaje chilevisión Pandemia y hacinamiento. Fundación Ciencia y Vida. Rodrigo Pacheco. 2 June 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shIjK6H49I8&feature=youtu.be

2020. No es solo una enfermedad respiratoria: Covid-19 también genera accidentes cerebrovasculares y en personas jóvenes. Rodrigo Pacheco interview in LA TERCERA. 17 June 2020. https://www.latercera.com/que-pasa/noticia/no-es-solo-una-enfermedad-respiratoria-covid-19-tambien-genera-accidentes-cerebrovasculares-y-en-personas-jovenes/EVYXGP4X5NHSVGHIIW3UIWWEZU/

2020. Featured Scientists. Los Recomendados por Rodrigo Pacheco. LA TERCERA 19 June 2020. https://s3-fotos-campanas.s3.amazonaws.com/NewsletterQuePasa/20201906/20201906.html

2020. Utilización de vacunas antiguas como tratamiento para coronavirus. Reportaje TVN noticiero central. 25 June 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF0FNhaHRJs&feature=youtu.be

2020. Covid-19 e inmunidad: evidencia en torno a uno de los mayores debates, explicada por un inmunólogo. Entrevista online 1 july 200 . https://www.kiltronoticias.com/post/covid-19-coronavirus-inmunidad-cuanto-tiempo-dura

2020. Científicos crean terapia contra el Parkinson interviniendo el sistema inmune. Reportaje en Las Últimas Noticias publicado el 31 de Octubre de 2020. https://www.lun.com/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?dt=2020-10-31&SupplementId=0&BodyID=0&PaginaId=2&r=w

2021. Investigación chilena revela mecanismo clave en el origen de la Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa. Reportaje en diario “El Dínamo” 23 Marzo 2021. https://www.eldinamo.cl/pais/2021/03/23/investigacion-chilena-revela-mecanismo-clave-en-el-origen-de-la-enfermedad-de-crohn-y-colitis-ulcerosa/

2021. Detectan mecanismo clave en el origen de la Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa. Reportaje en diario “Universidad San Sebastián” 17 Marzo 2021. https://www.uss.cl/blog/enfermedad-de-crohn-colitis-ulcerosa/

2021. Los nuevos descubrimientos para enfermedades al intestino. Entrevista en Radio Duna. 15 de Junio de 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s22VR1SN1nE

2021. Charla titulada “Autoinmunidad Neuronal”. Tertulias de Poesía y Ciencia. Centro Cultural de España en Santiago. 16 de Junio de 2021.

2022. Publicación Video en Youtube: ¿Cómo se genera la enfermedad de Parkinson? CAPÍTULO 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI0dAHYLazs. 24 de Noviembre de 2022.

2023. Publicación Video en Youtube: ¿Cómo se genera la enfermedad de Parkinson? CAPÍTULO 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oEyUIqFF3I . 12 de Mayo de 2023.

2023. Publicación Video en Youtube: ¿Cómo se genera la enfermedad de Parkinson? CAPÍTULO 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2u0uXI3yK8 . 17 de Octubre de 2023.

2023. IMNEUQUEN. Report about the research in Parkinson's disease in a web page: http://www.updatecomunicaciones.cl/update/noticia/206601 . February 2023.

2023. EL MOSTRADOR. Report about the research in Parkinson's disease in a national newspaper: https://www.elmostrador.cl/agenda-pais/2023/01/26/estudio-chileno-busca-el-origen-del-parkinson-en-bacterias-del-intestino/ . February 2023.

2023. Diario USS. Report in an Universitary newspaper, entitled "Una puerta a nuevos tratamientos: Origen del Parkinson estaría en el intestino". January 2023.

2023. LA TERCERA. Report about the research in Parkinson's disease in a national newspaper: https://www.latercera.com/laboratoriodecontenidos/formando-para-crear/mal-de-parkinson-cientifico-chileno-busca-el-origen-de-la-enfermedad-en-el-intestino/?outputType=amp February 2023.

2023. LAS ÚLTIMAS NOTICIAS. Report about the research in Parkinson's disease in a national newspaper http://www.updatecomunicaciones.cl/update/noticia/203034 . January 2023.

2023. MEGAVISIÓN. Report about the research in Parkinson's disease in the TV news: https://www.meganoticias.cl/calidad-de-vida/403527-investigacion-chilena-origen-parkinson-michael-j-fox-25-01-2023.html . January 2023.

2023. Radio DURA; programa AIRE FRESCO. Interview in a radio program: https://www.duna.cl/programa/aire-fresco/2023/01/31/dr-rodrigo-pacheco-lo-mas-novedoso-que-se-ha-encontrado-es-que-el-parkinson-comienza-en-el-intestino-antes-de-que-se-transforme-en-un-problema-en-el-sistema-nervioso-central/ . January 2023.

2023. ROCKSTARS; Radio TXP plus. Interview in a radio program: https://soundcloud.com/txsplus/rockstars-con-gabriel-leon-y-rodrigo-pacheco-13-de-marzo-del-2023 . March 2023.

2024. USS Noticias. Una puerta a nuevos tratamientos: Origen del Parkinson estari?a en el intestino. Report about the research in Parkinson's disease in an universitary newspaper. https://www.uss.cl/noticias/origen-parkinson-intestino/ . March 2024.

2024. LAS ÚLTIMAS NOTICIAS. Report about the research in Parkinson's disease in a national newspaper. https://cienciavida.org/2024/05/el-impacto-de-granjas-de-clicks-en-ciberespacio/ . Estudio relaciona el dolor crónico en Parkinson con la microbiota intestinal. 30-april-2024.

2024. TV Serie “Quiero Saber”. Animations for children to teach how the immune system Works. July-2024.