Dr. Rodrigo Herrera-Molina

1.Mecanismos moleculares y celulares para el aprendizaje, la memoria y el recuerdo. 

¿Cómo se forma y cómo mantiene la memoria? ¿Es posible recuperar memorias perdidas?. En particular, el Dr. Herrera-Molina estudia como la proteína transmembrana Neuroplastina, que se encuentra en las sinapsis de las neuronas en los cerebros de mamíferos y controla la presencia de la bomba de calcio PMCA (Plasma Membrane Calcium ATPase) y su interacción funcional con receptores para glutamato. Este mecanismo molecular es esencial para la correcta generación y terminación de señales de calcio en neuronas del cerebro y su deficiencia altera el aprendizaje y la memoria en ratones adultos. 

2. Alteraciones moleculares conducentes a cambios en circuitos neuronales en el cerebro de pacientes con autismo y en modelos experimentales de ratones transgénicos neonatos. 

Alteraciones en genes que codifican proteínas sinápticas durante el desarrollo temprano pueden modificar la formación y función de las sinapsis. En pacientes con autismo (ver https://humandiseasegenes.nl/nptn) y en modelos de ratones transgénicos neonatos, el Dr. Herrera-Molina estudia como estos cambios afectan el equilibrio excitación–inhibición y la organización de circuitos neuronales. 

3. Desarrollo y uso de electrodos cerebrales y su modificación con nanomateriales. 

¿Cómo registrar la actividad de neuronas únicas en cerebro? ¿y de manera individualizada, estable, de bajo costo? El Dr. Herrera-Molina forma parte de un grupo internacional e interdiciplinario, compuesto por médicos, ingenieros, y veterinarios trabajando en Japón, Alemania y en los Estados Unidos, que se enfoca en la fabricación de nuevos dispositivos para realizar registros electrofisiológicos en cerebros de distintas especies de animales experimentales. 

2024

“Recalling remote associative memories: Neuroplastin gene inactivation in GABAergic interneurons reveals endogenous mechanisms underlying selective retrograde amnesia.”. Co-autor y co-supervisor. Financiamiento por DFG HE7891/4-1 MO454/3-1 en Alemania.

 2020

“Development of neuroplastin-derived TRAF6-binding peptides with a wide-range of anti-inflammatory properties: Applications to neurodegenerative processes”. Solicitante y ejecutor responsable. Financiamiento por LSA/EFS/CBBS en Alemania.

«Complementary study to link glycolipids and transmembrane proteins to cation homeostasis: Identification of potential targets related to neurodegeneration and neurological disorders». Solicitante y ejecutor responsable. Financiamiento por DAAD en Alemania.

2019  

«What makes synapses plastic? – Plasticity mechanisms and failures revisited». Co-solicitante y co-ejecutor responsable. Financiamiento por the International Society for Neurochemistry en Inglaterra.

«Network for accelerating research in synaptic impairment of neurodegenerative diseases: Novel signaling mechanisms». Colaborador y beneficiario directo. Financiamiento por CONICYT (Redes190187) en Chile.

2017

«Neuroplastin goes presynaptic – implications for endo-/exocytosis and the exocyst complex». Colaborador y beneficiario directo. Financiamiento por BMBF 20150065 en Alemania.

2014

«Neuroplastin and Gangliosides in synaptic membranes». Solicitante y ejecutor responsable. Financiamiento por DAAD 57061596 en Alemania.

2011

«Integrin αVβ3-induced neuronal Thy-1 clustering in neurons: Searching for a downstream transduction by using STED». Solicitante y ejecutor responsable. Financiamiento por The Company of Biologists Limited en Inglaterra.

2009

«Neuronal Thy-1 mobility, clustering and signaling are modified by ligand and lipid composition of cell membrane». Solicitante y ejecutor responsable. Financiamiento por DAAD A/09/73109 en Alemania.

1. Luarte A, Gallardo J, Corvalán D, Chakraborty A, Gouveia Roque C, Bertin F, Contreras C, Ramírez JP, Weber A, Acevedo W, Zuschratter W, Herrera-Molina R, Wyneken Ú, Paula-Lima A, Adasme-Rocha T, Toledo J, Vergara R, Figueroa A, González C, González-Billault C, Hengst U, Couve A. (2026) Reticulon-1 synthesis controls outgrowth and microtubule dynamics in injured cortical axons. Life Sci Alliance. doi: 10.26508/lsa.202503571.
2. Liang Y, Ormazabal-Toledo R, Yao S, Shi YS, Herrera-Molina R, Montag D, Lin X. (2024) Deafness causing neuroplastin missense variants fail to promote plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase levels and Ca2+ transient regulation in brain neurons. J Biol Chem. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107474.
3. Adasme T, Hidalgo C, Herrera-Molina R (2023) Editorial: Emerging Views and Players in Neuronal Calcium Signaling: Synaptic Plasticity, Learning/Memory, Ageing and Neuroinflammation. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1197417
4. Malci A, Lin X, Shi YS, Herrera-Molina R (2023) Neuroplastin in Ca²⁺ signal regulation of plasticity in glutamatergic synapses. Neural Regeneration Research 18(8):1705-1706
5. Malci A, Lin X, Sandoval R, Gundelfinger ED, Naumann M, Seidenbecher CI, Herrera-Molina R (2022) Ca²⁺ signalling in postsynaptic neurons: neuroplastin-65 regulates the interplay between plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPases and ionotropic glutamate receptors. Cell Calcium.106:102623. doi: 10.1016/j.ceca.2022.102623
6. Guzmán Salas S, Weber A, Malci A, Lin X, Herrera-Molina R, Cerpa W, Dorador C, Signorelli J, Zamorano P (2022) The metabolite p-cresol impairs dendritic development, synaptogenesis and synapse function in hippocampal neurons: Implications to autism spectrum disorder. J Neurochem. 161(4):335-349. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15604
7. Lin X, Brunk MGK, Yuanxiang P, Curran AW, Stöber F, Goldschmidt J, Gundelfinger ED, Vollmer M, Happel MFK, Herrera-Molina R, Montag D (2021) Neuroplastin expression is essential for hearing and hair cell PMCA expression. Brain Structure and Functio doi: 10.1007/s00429-021-02269-w
8. Lin X, Liang Y, Herrera-Molina R, Montag D (2021) Neuroplastin in Neuropsychiatric Diseases. Genes 12(10):1507. doi: 10.3390/genes12101507
9. Ilic K, Lin X, Malci A, Stojanović M_, Puljko B, Rožma M, Vukelić Z, Heffer M, Montag D, Schnaar RL, Kalanj-Bognar S, Herrera-Molina R, Mlinac-Jerkovic K (2021) Plasma membrane calcium ATPase-Neuroplastin complexes are selectively stabilized in GM1-containing lipid rafts. J. Mol. Sci. 22(24):13590. doi: 10.3390/ijms222413590
10. Vemula SK, Malci A, Junge L, LehmannAC, RamaR, HradskyJ, Matute RA, Weber A, Naumann M, Kreutz MR, Seidenbecher CI, Gundelfinger ED, Herrera-Molina R (2020) The interaction of TRAF6 with neuroplastin promotes spinogenesis during early neuronal development. Cell Dev. Biol. doi: 10.3389/fcell. 2020.57951
11. García F, Lobos P, Ponce A, Cataldo K, Meza D, Farías P, Estay C, Oyarzun-Ampuero F, Herrera-Molina R, Paula-Lima A, Ardiles ÁO, Hidalgo C, Adasme T, Muñoz P (2020) Astaxanthin Counteracts Excitotoxicity and Reduces the Ensuing Increases in Calcium Levels and Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Generation. Mar Drugs 18(6):335
12. Luarte A, Henzi R, Fernández A, Gaete D, Cisternas P, Pizarro M, Batiz LF, Villalobos I, Masalleras M, Vergara R, Varas-Godoy M, Abarzua-Catalan L, Herrera-Molina R, Lafourcade C, Wyneken U (2020) Astrocyte-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Regulate Dendritic Complexity through miR-26a-5p Activity. Cells 10;9(4):930
13. Ilic K, Auer B, Mlinac-Jerkovic K, Herrera-Molina R (2019) Neuronal signalling by Thy-1 in nanodomains with specific ganglioside composition: Shall we open the door to a new complexity?. Cell Dev. Biol. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00027.
14. Xia Z, Arias-Gil G, Deckert M, Vollmer M, Curran A, Herrera-Molina R, Brosch M, Krug K, Schmidt B, Ohl FW, Lippert MT, Takagaki K (2019) Electrochemical Roughening and Carbon Nanotube Coating of Tetrodes for Chronic Single-Unit Recording. bioRxiv: 738245.
15. Bruna B, Lobos P, Herrera-Molina R, Hidalgo C, Paula-Lima A, Adasme T (2018) The Signaling Pathways Underlying BDNF-Induced Nrf2 Hippocampal Nuclear Translocation Involve ROS, RyR-Mediated Ca2+ Signals, ERK and PI3K. BBRC 20;505(1):201-207
16. Lang D, Schott BH, van Ham M, Morton L, Parlog A, Kulikovskaja L, Herrera-Molina R, Pielot R, Montag D, Jaensch L, Gundelfinger ED, Smalla KH, Dunay IR (2018) Chronic Toxoplasma-induced neuroinflammation is associated with distinct changes in the synaptic protein composition. J Neuroinflammation 15(1):216. doi: 10.1186/s12974-018-1242-1
17. Lagos-Cabré R, Brenet M, Díaz J , Pérez RD, Pérey LA, Herrera-Molina R, Quest AFG, Leyton L (2018) Intracellular Ca2+ increases and Connexin 43 hemichannel opening are necessary but not sufficient for Thy-1-induced astrocyte migration. Int J Mol Sci 19(8) doi: 10.3390/ijms19082179
18. Herrera-Molina R, Mlinac-Jerkovic K, Ilic K, Stöber F, Kumar Vemula S, Sandoval M, Jovanov Milosevic N, Simic G, Smalla KH, Goldschmidt J, Kalanj Bognar S, Montag D (2017) Neuroplastin deletion in glutamatergic neurons impairs selective brain functions and calcium regulation: implication for cognitive deterioration. Scientific Report 4;7(1):7273
19. Bhattacharya S*, Herrera-Molina R*, Sabanov V, Ahmed T, Iscru E, Stöber F, Richter K, Fischer KD, Angenstein F, Goldschmidt J, Beesley PW, Balschun D, Smalla KH, Gundelfinger ED, Montag D (2017) Genetically-induced retrograde amnesia of associative memories after neuroplastin ablation. Biological Psychiatry 81:124-135 (*co-first authorship)
20. Lagos-Cabré R, Alvarez A, Kong M, Burgos-Bravo F, Cárdenas A, Rojas-Mancilla E, Pérez-Nuñez R, Herrera-Molina R, Rojas F, Schneider P, Herrera-Marschitz M, Quest AFG, van Zundert B, Leyton L (2017) α_Vβ₃ Integrin regulates astrocyte reactivity. J Neuroinflammation 29;14(1):194
21. Korthals M, Langnaese K, Smalla KH, Kähne T, Herrera-Molina R, Handschuh J, Lehmann AC, Herbert I, Mamula D, Naumann M, Seidenbecher CI, Tedford K,. Gundelfinger ED, Montag D, Fischer KD, Thomas U (2017) A complex of Neuroplastin and Plasma Membrane Calcium ATPase controls T cell activation. Scientific Report 21;7(1):8358
22. Maldonado H, Calderon C, Kobler O, Zuschratter W, Ramirez O, Härtel S, Schneider P, Quest AFG, Herrera-Molina R*, Leyton L* (2016) Integrin-induced changes in the Thy-1/CBP/Csk complex regulate the Src/RhoA/ROCK axis to alter the neuronal cytoskeleton. BBA-Mol Cell Research 1864(2):243-254 (*co-corresponding authorship)
23. Herrera-Molina R, Sarto-Jackson I, Montenegro-Venegas C, Heine M, Smalla KH, Seidenbecher CI, Beesley PW, Gundelfinger ED, Montag D (2014) Structure of excitatory synapses and GABA_A receptor localization at inhibitory synapses are regulated by neuroplastin-65. J Biol Chem 289:8973-88
24. Beesley PW, Herrera-Molina R, Smalla KH, Seidenbecher CI (2014) The neuroplastin adhesion molecules: key regulators of neuronal plasticity and synaptic function. J Neurochem 131(3):268-83
25. Herrera-Molina R, Valdivia A, Kong M, Alvarez A, Cárdenas A, Quest AF, Leyton L (2013) Thy-1-interacting molecules and cellular signaling in cis and trans. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol 305:163-216
26. Kong M, Muñoz N, Valdivia A, Alvarez A, Herrera-Molina R, Cárdenas A, Schneider P, Burridge K, Quest AF, Leyton L (2013) Thy-1-mediated cell-cell contact induces astrocyte migration through the engagement of αVβ3 integrin and syndecan-4. BBA-Mol Cell Research 1833:1409-20
27. Sandoval M, Luarte A, Herrera-Molina R, Varas-Godoy M, Santibánez M, Rubio FJ, Smit AB, Gundelfinger ED, Li KW, Smalla KH, Wyneken U (2013) The glycolytic enzyme aldolase C is up-regulated in rat forebrain microsomes and in the cerebrospinal fluid after repetitive fluoxetine treatment. Brain Res 1520:1-14
28. Sarto-Jackson I, Milenkovic I, Smalla KH, Gundelfinger ED, Kaehne T, Herrera-Molina R, Thomas S, Kiebler MA, Sieghart W (2012) The cell adhesion molecule neuroplastin-65 is a novel interaction partner of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. J Biol Chem 287:14201-14
29. Herrera-Molina R, Frischknecht R, Maldonado H, Seidenbecher CI, Gundelfinger ED, Hetz C, Aylwin Mde L, Schneider P, Quest AF, Leyton L (2012) Astrocytic αVβ3 integrin inhibits neurite outgrowth and promotes retraction of neuronal processes by clustering Thy-1. PLoS One 7(3):e34295.doi:10.1371/ journal.pone. 0034295
30. Herrera-Molina R, Flores B, Orellana JA, von Bernhardi R (2012) Modulation of interferon-γ-induced glial activation by transforming growth factor β1: a role for STAT1 and MAPK pathways. J Neurochem 123:113-23
31. Henríquez M, Herrera-Molina R, Valdivia A, Alvarez A, Kong M, Muñoz N, Eisner V, Jaimovich E, Schneider P, Quest AF, Leyton L (2011) ATP release due to Thy-1-integrin binding induces P2X7-mediated calcium entry required for focal adhesion formation. J Cell Sci 124:1581-8
32. Avalos AM, Valdivia AD, Muñoz N, Herrera-Molina R, Tapia JC, Lavandero S, Chiong M, Burridge K, Schneider P, Quest AF, Leyton L (2009) Neuronal Thy-1 induces astrocyte adhesion by engaging syndecan-4 in a cooperative interaction with alphavbeta3 integrin that activates PKCalpha and RhoA. J Cell Sci 122:3462-71
33. Uribe-San Martín R*, Herrera-Molina R*, Olavarría L, Ramírez G, von Bernhardi R (2008) Reduction of beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity on hippocampal cell cultures by moderate acidosis is mediated by transforming growth factor beta. Neuroscience 158(4):1338-47 (*co-first authorship)
34. Hermosilla T, Muñoz D, Herrera-Molina R, Valdivia A, Muñoz N, Nham SU, Schneider P, Burridge K, Quest AF, Leyton L (2008) Direct Thy-1/alphaVbeta3 integrin interaction mediates neuron to astrocyte communication. BBA-Mol Cell Research 1783:1111-20
35. Saud K*, Herrera-Molina R*, Von Bernhardi R (2005) Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines regulate the ERK pathway: implication of the timing for the activation of microglial cells. Neurotoxicity Research 8:277-87 (*co-first authorship)
36. Herrera-Molina R, von Bernhardi R (2005) Transforming growth factor-beta 1 produced by hippocampal cells modulates microglial reactivity in culture. Neurobiol Dis 19:229-36

1. Yi Liang, Rodrigo Ormazabal-Toledo, Harini Srinivasan et al., and Herrera-Molina R. De novo variants in NPTN cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with autism and neuroplastin-PMCA hypofunction Research Square November11, 2025, doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8079156/v1 
2. Luarte A, Gallardo J, Corvalán D, Chakraborty A, Gouveia-Roque C, Bertin F, Contreras C, Ramírez JP, Weber A, Acevedo W, Zuschratter W, Herrera-Molina R, Wyneken U, Paula-Lima  A, Adasme-Rocha T, Figueroa A, González C, González-Billault C, Hengst  U, and Couve A. Local Synthesis of Reticulon-1C Lessens the Outgrowth of Injured Axons by Controlling Spastin Activity. bioRxiv August 12, 2024 doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.11.607514. 
3. Vemula, S. K.; Malci, A.; Junge, L.; Lehmann, A.; Rama, R.; Hradsky, J.; Matute, R. A.; Weber, A.; Prigge, M.; Naumann, M.; Kreutz, M. R.; Seidenbecher, C. I.; Gundelfinger, E. D.; Herrera-Molina, R. TRAF6 controls spinogenesis instructing synapse density and neuronal activity through binding neuroplastin. bioRxiv March 18, 2020 doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/768341 
4. Xia, Z.; Arias-Gil, G.; Deckert, M.; Vollmer, M.; Curran, A.; Herrera-Molina, R.; Brosch, M.; Krug, K.; Schmidt, B.; Ohl, F. W.; Lippert, M. T.; Takagaki, K. Electrochemical Roughening and Carbon Nanotube Coating of Tetrodes for Chronic Single-Unit Recording. bioRxiv. bioRxiv August 21, 2019 doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/738245 

1. Zifeng X, Takagaki K, Ecke M, Wilke M, Weber A, Herrera-Molina R (2024) Basically wire-shaped electrode for transmittance of electrophysiological neurosignals and methods of manufacture thereof. Granted by the European Patent Office by 11.12.2024 n° EP4257045 
2. Herrera-Molina R, Takagaki K, Ecke M, Wilke M, Weber A, Zifeng X (2023) Functionalized imaging plate for non-invasive, combinatorial, and/or simultaneous electrical and optic stimulation and measurement. PCT Patent filed by 05 April 2023 in the EU Patent Office n° E22166953.4 
3. Herrera-Molina R, Takagaki K, Ecke M, Wilke M, Weber A, Zifeng X (2023) Processes for the design, microfabrication, and use of individualized brain electrodes. PCT Patent filed by 05 April 2023 in the EU Patent Office n° EP22166952.6 
4. Takagaki K, Lippert M, Zifeng X, Herrera-Molina R (2021) Electrode device, electrophysiological recording system and computer program. Published by the USA Patent Office n° US2021369168A1 
5. Takagaki K, Lippert M, Zifeng X, Herrera-Molina R (2020) Electrode device, electrophysiological recording system and computer program. Patent filed in the EU Patent Office n° 6-1115 

2025

Senior Investigator Symposium  Award by the International Society for Neurochemistry. New York, The United State of America.

2020

Junkers Award for most innovative approaches in basic research. «Die Magdeburger Elektroden zur Aufzeichnung von Hirnaktivitäten und zur Behandlung von Hirnerkrankungen». Alemania.

2019

Young Investigator Colloquia Award by the International Society for Neurochemistry. Montreal, Canada.

2016

Junkers Award for most innovative approaches in basic research. «Tiermodell Neuroplastinmutante zur Gedächtnisforschung». Alemania.

2011

1. Visit by the Applicant to Another Laboratory. Committee for Aid and Education in Neurochemistry, United Kingdom.

2. Journal of Cell Science Travelling Fellowship. Editors of Journal of Cell Science and The Company of Biologists Limited. United Kingdom.

2010

Medal of Honour University of Chile for Excellence in Ph.D. Work. Chile.

2009

Estadía de Investigación en el Extranjero (DAAD n°A/09/73109). Alemania.

2008

1. Apoyo a la Realización de Tesis Doctoral (Conicyt n°24080153).

2. Eventos académicos y cursos cortos en el extranjero (Conicyt n°23090074).

3. Estadías Cortas de Investigación de la Vicerectoria de asuntos académicos de la Universidad de Chile. Chile.

2006

Realización de Doctorado (Conicyt n°21060447). Chile.

2005

Beca Instituto Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile. Chile.