Gabriela Alejandra Salvador is an Argentine researcher specialized in biochemistry. She holds a PhD in this field and also works within the area of molecular biology.
Among her research topics, the Argentine scientist focuses on lipid biochemistry, neuroscience, and neurochemistry.
Salvador and the study of neurons
Salvador studied Biochemistry and later completed a PhD as well as a postdoctoral fellowship. In her research, she has concentrated on developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, which are mainly associated with aging.
She works within the field of neuroscience, the branch of science that studies the brain and mental disorders. This discipline analyzes the structure of the brain and the nervous system. Alongside her studies, the Argentine scientist aims to highlight the importance of studying neurons and the tools involved in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
These diseases can be defined as those that affect the nerve cells of the nervous system, particularly regarding their degeneration or death. Neurochemistry, for its part, is the science dedicated to studying chemical substances and how they relate to or affect the nervous system and neurons.
Salvador and her professional career
Salvador is part of the Institute for Biochemical Research of Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) and the Bahía Blanca Scientific and Technological Center (CCT Bahía Blanca), which belongs to the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET).
INIBIBB, under CONICET, conducts research mainly focused on cancer development and the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. CCT Bahía Blanca encompasses various institutions in the city and focuses on supporting research in the region.
Throughout her professional career, Salvador has produced several scientific publications, particularly in the areas of cell biology, cellular neuroscience, neurodegeneration, and molecular neurobiology, among others. She has also participated in various scientific congresses and events where research related to biochemistry, molecular biology, neuroscience, and neurodegeneration has been presented.
Salvador was honored with the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Award, which seeks to highlight the contributions of women in science and its related disciplines. This award is held in Argentina in collaboration with CONICET, the country’s most important science and technology institution. It recognizes various female scientists with the aim of making their contributions visible.
Neurosciences
The importance of Salvador’s research lies in the significance that neurons have for the entire system and the body. The nervous system consists mainly of neurons, which process information and transmit it to the rest of the body. In this sense, neuroscience is the science responsible for studying how the nervous system behaves and reacts.
Since neurons are essential for the functioning of both the brain and the body, their study is key to understanding how the nervous system affects the production of thoughts, emotions, and more. Neuroscience-related studies can cover various equally important topics, such as brain growth, genetic diseases that affect neurons, neurological disorders, and sensory systems.
These subjects are explored by different branches of neuroscience, including cognitive neuroscience, molecular neuroscience, cellular neuroscience, and neurogenetics. While cognitive neuroscience studies how the brain stores memories and processes information, neurogenetics examines genetics and its relationship with neurological diseases.
Neurochemistry is another important subfield of neuroscience, as it analyzes the molecular basis of the nervous system.
In the development of neuroscience and its importance in Argentina, Salvador is one of the researchers making significant contributions. Through her studies, the Argentine scientist advances scientific knowledge and demonstrates the central role of neurons and their relationship with the rest of the body and the functions of the brain and nervous system.
Thanks to her publications and research, she is positioned as one of the professionals in the scientific and academic fields who enable the growth of neuroscience in the country.
Salvador focuses her research mainly on lipid mediators and their relationship with neurodegeneration, as well as the processes that occur between them. While the former are defined as having anti-inflammatory functions, among others, neurodegeneration is characterized by the loss of functions and even the death of neurons caused by neuronal damage.