Jose Ramon Bayascas Ramirez

Jose Ramon Bayascas Ramirez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona's Institute of Neuroscience. With a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Barcelona (1998), he completed postdoctoral training at the University of Lleida (1998-2002) and University of Dundee, Scotland (2002-2007) before joining UAB in 2007 as a Ramon y Cajal Fellow, becoming a Serra Húnter Associate Professor in 2014.

His research focuses on the neurodevelopmental functions of the $$\text{PDK1}$$ signaling network and its implications for neurodegenerative and mental illnesses. His laboratory specializes in the $$\text{PI3K}$$/$$\text{Akt}$$ signaling pathway, utilizing brain-specific conditional knock-in mice with engineered $$\text{PDK1}$$ mutations (K465E and L155E) to study how these affect neuronal development and disease processes. The K465E mutation selectively impairs $$\text{Akt}$$ activation, while the L155E mutation abolishes activation of most $$\text{PDK1}$$ effectors except $$\text{Akt}$$.

His work has revealed that reduced $$\text{Akt}$$ activation in $$\text{PDK1}$$ K465E mice protects against neurodegenerative insults, while the exclusive $$\text{Akt}$$ activation in $$\text{PDK1}$$ L155E mice causes severe mental disorders resembling human schizophrenia. His recent publications span molecular insights into $$\text{PDK1}$$ structure, behavioral studies in Alzheimer's models, and investigations into lysine crotonylation and metabolic homeostasis.

His research has been recognized with a Ramon y Cajal Fellowship, and he has led multiple research projects including:

• "Assaig de l'inhibidor d'$$\text{Akt}$$ MK-2206 pel tractament de la Malaltia d'Alzheimer" (2022-2023)
• "Implicació de la ruta de senyalització $$\text{PI3K}$$/$$\text{PDK1}$$/$$\text{Akt}$$ en la Malaltia d'Alzheimer" (2019-2022)
• "Participació de $$\text{PDK1}$$ en les respostes a $$\text{PI3K}$$ durant el desenvolupament neuronal" (2015-2018)

His group has published 53 research outputs with significant citations, demonstrating impactful contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying brain pathology and potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative and mental disorders.