The main interest of our lab is to better understand the neuro-glia-vascular physiology in the normal and pathological brain. Our research focuses on the 3 most important cell types in the brain: neuron, astrocyte and endothelial cell. These cells are affected after stroke or brain trauma. Our aim is to investigate how these cells interacts using in vitro and in vivo models. This understanding is important for the development of new neuroprotective and restorative therapies. The group of Prof K. Schaller is comprised of three teams working on specific aspects of the neuro-glio-vascular unit.

Dr Bijlenga's team has an interest for intracellular calcium modifications in neurones and glia during ischemia. One currently investigated target is T-calcium channels. His team is now testing the effect of inhibiting those channels during or after ischemia (in global and focal brain ischemia) with the aim to protect the brain tissue or reduce damage.

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Dr Badaut's team has an interest on the role of the astrocyte in the brain water and energy homeostasis. His group is developing an original research on the role of the AQP in normal and pathological brain.

Dr da Silva's team interest is the role of L-arginine/arginase pathway in the autocrine and paracrine regulation of the cell types present in the neurovascular unit. Cell interactions, at physiological and pathological conditions, will be investigated in vitro and in vivo.

Dr Schatlo investigates molecular mechanisms of brain damage following cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke. Points of interest include blood brain barrier integrity, endogenous radical oxygen species production and the exploitation of the nitric oxide pathway for therapeutic purposes.