Maja Puchades

Institution/Department: Department of Chemistry
Previous studies: Undergraduate and graduate studies in France, ­University of Aix-Marseille III. Graduate studies in Sweden, Gothenburg University, ­Sahlgrenska Academy.
Thesis: Development of proteomic methods for studying cerebrospinal fluid proteins involved in Alzheimer´s disease
Research areas: Neurochemistry, analytical tools involving microfluidics, electrochemistry and imaging.
Current research: We are developing new analytical devices in order to analyse molecules involved in neuronal cell signalling in individual cells and a network of cells. The unique chip design will allow us to characterize the pattern of synaptic connections between neurons by fluorescence imaging as well as electrochemically with electrode arrays. The location of neuronal like cells (PC12 cells) is determined by microcontact printing of surface adhesion proteins like laminin or poly-L lysine. Upon stimulation, PC12 cells release dopamine by exocytosis. This dopaminergic response is quantified both by fluorescence microscopy using the ratiometric sensitive dye Fura-2 and electrochemically in a non-invasive way.
These combined measurements are representing an important technical ­development. Once characterized, they will be applied to understand cell signalling patterns and to develop an in vitro model of degenerative disease like Parkinson’s disease.

E-mail address: maja.puchades@chem.gu.se
http://www2.chem.gu.se/ac/Ewing/Chemical%20imaging.htm