Alvaro Villarroel

Alvaro Villarroel is a CSIC Scientist at the Biofisika Institute, a joint research center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of the Basque Country (EHU). He leads the Ion Signaling and Disease in Excitable Membranes Laboratory, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of ion channels and their role in neurological dysfunction.

His research delves into the biophysics of ion channels, particularly KCNQ and NMDA receptors, with a strong emphasis on calmodulin interactions, channel trafficking, folding, and signaling in excitable membranes. His work bridges molecular structure and physiological function, aiming to develop therapeutic strategies for related neurological diseases.

Alvaro has been funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Economy and Competitiveness, and has coordinated several European research projects, reflecting his leadership in the field of ion channel research.

He received his PhD from the State University of New York and conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University, where he identified the molecular identity of a potassium channel and the site of action of arachidonic acid. His early work at Instituto Cajal uncovered key mechanisms of NMDA receptor desensitization and inter-site coupling.

He was the first to describe calmodulin binding to human KCNQ channels, solved the structure of the calcium response domain, and revealed calmodulin's role in channel trafficking. His current research explores calmodulin's role in channel folding and ion signaling pathways.

He is based at the Science Park of the EHU in Leioa, Spain, and is actively contributing to advancing the understanding of ion channel pathologies.