Personal profile
Research interests
My primary research interest lies in identifying epigenetic therapeutic targets to promote functional recovery after traumatic injuries to the nervous system. This focus has been shaped by my previous work on the pathophysiology of traumatic nervous system injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and brain cancer, and is directed toward advancing therapeutic innovation.
I began specializing in traumatic nervous system injuries during my doctoral training in Dr. Casas’ laboratory (UAB), and further deepened this expertise during my first postdoctoral stage in Dr. Pearse’s laboratory (University of Miami, USA). I later broadened my research scope to the field of epigenetics through postdoctoral training at the Center for Therapeutic Innovation in Dr. Ayad’s laboratory (University of Miami, USA). In 2016, I was awarded a MSCA fellowship, which enabled my reintegration into Spain. Three years later, I received a Beatriz Galindo contract in the Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology at UAB, and finally I was appointed to a permanent position as Associate Professor (Profesora Titular) in the same department.
Since 2021, I have also served as a member of the Directive Board of the Institute of Neurosciences at UAB, and since 2024 I serve as coordinator of the Master’s program in Neurosciences.
Education/Academic qualification
Ph. D., Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Award Date: 14 Apr 2009
Masters, Experimental biochemistry, Universitat de Barcelona (UB)
Award Date: 28 Feb 2003
Degree, Biochemistry, Universitat de Barcelona (UB)
Award Date: 1 Jan 2002
External positions
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami
22 Jun 2011 → 30 Sept 2016
Postdoctoral Researcher, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami
8 Feb 2010 → 2 Jun 2011
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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TARGETING LSD1 TO PROMOTE FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AFTER NEURAL TRAUMA
Penas Perez, C. (Principal Investigator), Hernandez Tornil, J. (Collaborator), Jaramillo Rodríguez, J. (Collaborator) & del Río Astorga, R. (Collaborator)
European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)
1/09/23 → 31/08/26
Project: Research Projects and Other Grants
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Tecnologías y modelos de alto rendimiento optimizados para el descubrimiento y validación de nuevos inhibidores epigenéticos para el tratamiento de patologías neuronales (MODERN)
Penas Perez, C. (Principal Investigator), Navarro Acebes, X. (Investigator) & Armario Garcia, A. (Investigator)
1/04/23 → 30/06/26
Project: Research Projects and Other Grants
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EPIGENETIC THERAPY TO ENHANCE FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AFTER SPINAL CORD INJURY
Penas Perez, C. (Principal Investigator), Jaramillo Rodríguez, J. (Collaborator), Palomés Borrajo, G. (Collaborator), Sanchez Ventura, J. (Collaborator) & Del Valle Macia, J. (Investigator)
1/06/20 → 31/03/24
Project: Research Projects and Other Grants
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P-SPHERE: Opening Sphere UAB-CEI to PostDoctoral Fellows
Ariño Vila, X. (Principal Investigator), Boada Romero, R. (Beneficiary), Castells Roca, L. (Beneficiary), Dal Bo , F. (Beneficiary), Ferreri , M. (Beneficiary), Gella Concustell, A. (Beneficiary), Gutiérrez Royo, J. (Beneficiary), Hebert , C. (Beneficiary), Laplana Lafaja, M. (Beneficiary), Leyton , M. (Beneficiary), Martín Fernández, I. (Beneficiary), Menendez Dalmau, E. (Beneficiary), Penas Perez, C. (Beneficiary), Power , S. (Beneficiary), Quadrado del Burgo, R. (Beneficiary), Ramayo Caldas, Y. (Beneficiary), Rossi Heras, S. (Beneficiary), Sakellaris , G. (Beneficiary), Sutton , P. (Beneficiary), Tzanov , V. (Beneficiary), Miñarro Vivas, B. (Project Manager), D'angelo , M. (Beneficiary), Mavredakis , N. (Beneficiary) & Jimenez, D. (Investigator)
European Commission (EC), MSCA COFUND
1/10/15 → 30/11/20
Project: International research project
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Red de Terapia Celular
Navarro Acebes, X. (Principal Investigator), Penas Perez, C. (Scholar), Allodi, L. (Investigator), Asensio Pinilla, M. E. (Investigator), Casals Díaz, L. (Investigator), Casas, C. (Investigator), Cobianchi, S. (Investigator), Vallejo Ybáñez, C. (Investigator), Verdú Navarro, E. (Investigator) & Vivo Abelairas, M. (Investigator)
Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII)
1/01/12 → 31/12/13
Project: Research Projects and Other Grants
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Aberrant perineuronal nets alter spinal circuits, impair motor function, and increase plasticity
Sánchez-Ventura, J., Canal, C., Hidalgo, J., Penas, C., Navarro, X., Torres-Espin, A., Fouad, K. & Udina, E., Dec 2022, In: Experimental Neurology. 358, 16 p., 114220.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access9 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)2 Downloads (Pure) -
BET protein inhibition in macrophages enhances dorsal root ganglion neurite outgrowth in female mice
Palomés-Borrajo, G., Navarro, X. & Penas, C., Jun 2022, In: Journal of Neuroscience Research. 100, 6, p. 1331-1346 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Beneficial and detrimental effects of cytokines after spinal cord injury
Amo-Aparicio, J. & Penas, C., 1 Jan 2022, Cellular, Molecular, Physiological, and Behavioral Aspects of Spinal Cord Injury. Elsevier, p. 105-117 13 p. (Cellular, Molecular, Physiological, and Behavioral Aspects of Spinal Cord Injury).Research output: Chapter in Book › Chapter › Research › peer-review
2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Nerve Excitability and Neuropathic Pain is Reduced by BET Protein Inhibition After Spared Nerve Injury
Palomés-Borrajo, G., Badia, J., Navarro, X. & Penas, C., Dec 2021, In: Journal of Pain. 22, 12, p. 1617-1630 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
11 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Voluntary wheel running preserves lumbar perineuronal nets, enhances motor functions and prevents hyperreflexia after spinal cord injury
Sánchez-Ventura, J., Giménez-Llort, L., Penas, C. & Udina, E., 1 Feb 2021, In: Experimental Neurology. 336, 13 p., 113533.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
33 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)1 Downloads (Pure)
Thesis
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Implicación de las respuestas activadas por el estrés de retículo endoplasmático en lesiones de médula espinal
Penas Perez, C. (Author), Casas Louzao, C. (Director), 3 Apr 2009Student thesis: Doctoral thesis
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Implicación del estrés de retículo endoplasmático en lesión de médula espinal
Penas Perez, C. (Author), Castellano López, B. (Tutor) & Casas Louzao, C. (Director), 7 Nov 2005Student thesis: Dissertation (TFM)