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Regenerative Neurobiology, Multiple Sclerosis, Remyelination, Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells, Perivascular Cells, Platelets, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy, Regenerative Medicine
Finland, Chile

Biography

I am a Molecular Biotechnology Engineering with a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Neurosciences. I am employed as Professor in Integrative Neurobiology at the University of Helsinki (Finland). My duties involve teaching and research particularly at the fields of in Neurosciences, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine. My main research interest frame in multiple sclerosis and, particularly, aiming for the understanding of myelin regeneration (remyelination). I aim to determine the contribution of the vascular niche in CNS remyelination. We have shown that CNS perivascular cells (PVCs) respond to demyelination and, through Lama2 secretion, stimulate OPC differentiation during remyelination. These findings extend PVC function beyond vascular homeostasis toward regeneration. Also, I am studying the role of platelets during remyelination. We have found that upon demyelination, platelets accumulate at the lesion site promoting survival and neuroprotection of proliferating CNS progenitor cells. These findings suggest that both, PVCs and platelets, participate of myelin repair and they might represent an attractive target when developing new regenerative therapeutic strategies for demyelinating diseases.

Activities

Employment (9)

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

Employment
Source: check_circle
University of Helsinki

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

2024-02-15 to present | Professor in Integrative Neurobiology / Group Leader Translational Regenerative Neurobiology (TReN) (Molecular Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

2022-09-01 to 2024-02-15 | Associate Professor in Integrative Neurobiology (Molecular Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Universidad Austral de Chile: Valdivia, Los Ríos, CL

2016-09-01 to 2023-03-31 | Associate Professor (Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology - Faculty of Medicine)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität: Salzburg, Salzburg, AT

2016-08-31 to 2022-08-31 | Guest Professor (Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg: Salzburg, AT

2014-07-01 to 2016-08-31 | Assistant Professor (Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

University of Cambridge: Cambridge, GB

2012-09 to 2014-06 | Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate (Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, & Department of Veterinary Medicine, Neurosciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg: Salzburg, AT

2009-04 to 2013 | Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate (Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

University of Regensburg: Regensburg, DE

2006-04 to 2009-04 | Postdoctoral Research Associate (Department of Neurology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Education and qualifications (4)

Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg: Salzburg, AT

2013-07-02 | Privatdozent in Molecular Regenerative Medicine (Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

University of Chile: Santiago, CL

2001-03 to 2006-03 | PhD / Dr. in Molecular, Cellular Biology and Neurosciences (Faculty of Sciences)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

University of Chile: Santiago de Chile, CL

1999-03 to 2002-03 | M.Sc. in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering (Faculty of Sciences)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

University of Chile: Santiago de Chile, CL

1995-03 to 1998-12 | B.Sc. in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering (Faculty of Sciences)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Professional activities (7)

Universidad Austral de Chile: Valdivia, Los Ríos, CL

2016 to 2024-03-31 | Board Member (Center of Interdisciplinary Studies of the Nervous System (CISNe))
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Universidad Austral de Chile: Valdivia, Los Ríos, CL

2020 to 2023-03-31 | Board Member of PhD Program in Medical Sciences (Faculty of Medicine)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo: Santiago, CL

2022-03-01 to 2022-12-31 | Director of Medicine G1 Assessment Group (Fondecyt)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo: Santiago, Santiago, CL

2019-03-01 to 2022-12-31 | Member of Medicine G1 Assessment Group (Fondecyt )
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Universidad Austral de Chile: Valdivia, Los Ríos, CL

2021-10-10 to 2022-10-01 | Director of Research (Faculty of Medicine)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Universidad Austral de Chile: Valdivia, Los Ríos, CL

2021-06 to 2021-09 | Deputy Director (Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology - Faculty of Medicine)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Paracelsus Medical University: Salzburg, Salzburg, AT

2014 to 2016 | Deputy Director (Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Funding (11)

Start-up Package – Associate Professor (Tenured) Position

2022-09 to 2025-08 | Grant
Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki (Helsinki, FI)
Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Intravital Two-Photon Microscope for the Dynamic Visualization of Cellular Processes in Living Animals and Organotypic Cultures

2020-12 to 2023-12 | Grant
Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (Santiago, CL)
GRANT_NUMBER:

Fondequip EQM200259

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

From Blood To Myelin - Exploring Mechanisms For Platelets Contribution To CNS Remyelination

2020-04 to 2024-03 | Grant
CONICYT (Santiago de Chile, CL)
GRANT_NUMBER:

Fondecyt Regular Grant Nº 1201706

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Rejuvenated Brain Network – ReBrainNet

2019-01 to 2020-12 | Grant
CONICYT (Santiago de Chile, CL)
GRANT_NUMBER:

REDES180139

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Interdisciplinary Network for Naturopathic Regeneration-Net4NatuRe

2018-05 to 2020-04 | Grant
CONICYT (Santiago de Chile, CL)
GRANT_NUMBER:

REDES170233

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

The Fountain of Youth: Development of an Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Neuroregenerative Supplement from Hops for Brain Rejuvenation

2018-03 to 2020-02 | Grant
CONICYT (Santiago de Chile, CL)
GRANT_NUMBER:

Fondef IDeA ID17AM0043

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Manipulation of Astrocyte Reactivity in Demyelinated Lesions

2017 to 2020 | Grant
CONICYT (Santiago de Chile, CL)
GRANT_NUMBER:

REDI170037

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

The Neurovascular Niche In Regeneration: Mechanisms For CNS Pericytes Contribution To Remyelination

2016-04 to 2020-03 | Grant
CONICYT (Santiago de Chile, CL)
GRANT_NUMBER:

Fondecyt Regular Grant Nº 1161787

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

“Cellular Plasticity of Brain Pericytes: A Role in Myelin Repair?”

2012-12 to 2014-12 | Grant
Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg-FFF (Salzburg, AT)
GRANT_NUMBER:

Stand Alone E-12/15/077-RIT

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

“From Adult Neural Stem Cells to Mature Oligodendrocytes: Signals for Cell Fate Decision”

2007-03 to 2009-03 | Salary award
Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (Bonn, DE)
GRANT_NUMBER:

Georg Forster Program

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

ROL DE UN "MICROAMBIENTE NEURAL" EN LA DIFERENCIACION NERVIOSA DE LA CELULA TRONCAL MESENQUIMATICA

2003-03 to 2005-03 | Grant
CONICYT (Santiago de Chile, CL)
GRANT_NUMBER:

403162

Source: Self-asserted source
Francisco J. Rivera

Peer review (13 reviews for 9 publications/grants)

Review activity for Acta neuropathologica. (1)
Review activity for Brain research. (1)
Review activity for iScience. (1)
Review activity for Journal of cell science. (1)
Review activity for Journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. (3)
Review activity for Molecular and cellular neurosciences. (1)
Review activity for Neuroscience letters. (1)
Review activity for Stem cells. (3)
Review activity for The journal of neuroscience : (1)