My name is Paula Alemany Darder and I am from Mallorca. I studied Biomedical Sciences at the International University of Catalonia in Barcelona, and during my Bachelor’s studies I joined the Neurometabolism Lab, where I was introduced to experimental neuroscience and encouraged to connect with other research environments.

After the university, I pursued a Master’s degree in Neurosciences at the University of Barcelona. I completed both my bachelor’s and master’s theses in the Neuroelectrophysiology Lab at Hospital Clínic, where I was trained in brain tissue dissection, advanced cell culture, and electrophysiological techniques such as patch-clamp recordings. This experience solidified my interest in translational neuroscience and experimental therapeutics

During my years of research training, I have actively participated in scientific events. I presented a scientific poster at the Neurobiology Symposium based on my master’s project. I also attended the European GRINpathies Conference, gaining valuable insights into the clinical and patient perspectives of translational research.

In the MSCA DN Horizon I will be doctoral candidate 6 (DC6), a PhD student at the University of Antwerp. My research will focus on the development of human iPSC-derived 3D brain organoids (neurospheroids) as a physiologically relevant model of ischemic stroke. The central aim is to rigorously test the therapeutic potential of perinatal cell-derived secretomes in modulating neuroinflammation and promoting neuroprotection following ischemic injury.

The majority of my work will be performed in vitro using neurospheroid models, which better replicate the architecture and cellular interactions of the human brain compared to traditional 2D cultures, while also avoiding the ethical issues associated with animal experimentation. Additionally, my responsibilities consist on standardizing organoid production, simulating stroke- like conditions and conducting functional assays to evaluate treatment outcomes. To further understand the underlying mechanisms, I intend to perform proteomic, metabolomic, and transcriptomic analyses at the end of the experimental phase, providing an integrated view of the molecular responses involved.

As a result of my work, I aim to demonstrate that, following the induction of ischemic-like stress in the organoid model, the characteristic activation of molecular inflammatory signaling pathways is attenuated upon application of the perinatal secretome. By comparing different secretome formulations, I expect to observe a measurable reduction in the expression and activity of key pro-inflammatory pathways that have already been defined and associated with stroke-induced neuroinflammation.

Being a part of this project offers me the opportunity to contribute to innovative therapeutic strategies for stroke. Beyond the scientific scope, what I value most about this consortium is the unique chance to collaborate with internationally renowned laboratories and experts across Europe. This collaborative environment, combined with high-level training, will be instrumental in shaping my growth as a researcher and preparing me to pursue a scientific career.