Silvia Pittolo

Silvia Pittolo is a Ramón y Cajal Senior Researcher at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), affiliated with the University of Barcelona, where she leads the Nanoprobes and Nanoswitches research group. Her work bridges neuroscience, pharmacology, and bioengineering to develop optical tools for studying brain function and developing neuropsychiatric therapies.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor in Biotechnology from the University of Trieste, Italy
• Master in Neuroscience from the University of Trieste, Italy
• PhD in Photopharmacology of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors at IBEC under Pau Gorostiza

Dr. Pittolo's research focuses on all-optical tools for imaging brain activity ex vivo and in vivo, investigating how neurotransmitters, receptors, and cell types interact in normal and diseased states. Her work pioneers photopharmacology approaches for precise control of neuronal receptors, with applications in personalized therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric conditions. Key methodologies include two-photon pharmacology and covalent photoswitches for endogenous receptor modulation.

Her publication record spans high-impact journals from 2014 to 2024, demonstrating consistent innovation in optical neuromodulation. Core themes include glutamate receptor photoswitching, astrocyte-neuron interactions, and in vivo synaptic control, with recent expansions into dopamine signaling and sight restoration technologies.

Her scientific achievements have been recognized through:

• Ramón y Cajal Fellowship (Spanish Ministry of Science)
• Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Global Fellowship

As a senior researcher, Dr. Pittolo mentors junior scientists while securing competitive funding through national and European programs. Her Horizon 2020 fellowship supported international research at UCSF and MDC, demonstrating strong grant acquisition capabilities for interdisciplinary neuroscience projects.

She directs the Nanoprobes and Nanoswitches group at IBEC, which develops cutting-edge optical technologies for neuroscience research. The team specializes in photoswitchable ligands, two-photon excitation systems, and quantitative imaging approaches to study neural circuits and develop targeted interventions for brain disorders.