Carlos Parras

Carlos Parras is a molecular neurobiology and genetics researcher at INSERM (CR1 rank) since 2008, focusing on transcriptional regulation in brain development and diseases. He leads projects on oligodendrocyte biology, chromatin remodelers CHD7/CHD8, and remyelination therapies for multiple sclerosis.

• Education: PhD in Neurobiology (1997, Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center, Autonomous University of Madrid)
• Postdoc: Murine genetic models of neural stem cell commitment (IGBMC Strasbourg, 1998–2003; NIMR London, 2003–2006)

His research integrates transcription factors (Ascl1, Olig2, Sox10) with chromatin remodelers (Chd7, Chd8) to study OPC differentiation in myelination, remyelination, and neurodevelopmental disorders like CHARGE syndrome and autism. His lab employs RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and ATAC-seq for genome-wide analyses.

In the NeoRepair project (ANR-funded 2017–2022), his team identified 393 bioactive small molecules to promote oligodendrogenesis, with 12 validated in preclinical models. Current work includes proteomic analysis of Tns3 function in immature oligodendrocytes and evaluating FDA-approved drugs for multiple sclerosis therapy.

Scientific Recognition:

• Marie-Ange Bouvet Labruyère Prize (2018), Fondation de France