Dr. Jesus Avila is a distinguished cognitive scientist and Professor ad honorem at the Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM-CSIC), Spain. He obtained his degree in Chemistry and PhD in Molecular Biology from Universidad Complutense Madrid, focusing on RNA polymerase in B. subtilis. His postdoctoral research at NIH, USA, centered on the SV40 virus. Throughout his prolific career, Dr. Avila has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding the neuronal cytoskeleton, particularly tau protein, its role in Alzheimer’s disease, and tauopathies. With over 694 published journal articles, 33 books, 4 patents, and collaborations across the USA, France, UK, Germany, and Spain, his work is internationally recognized. He serves on editorial boards of prestigious journals including EMBO J, FEBS Letters, Neuroscience, and Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (Deputy Editor). Dr. Avila is a member of EMBO, Academia Europaea, AAAS, and Royal Academies of Sciences and Medicine of Spain.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Jesus Avila pursued his higher education at Universidad Complutense Madrid (UCM), earning a degree in Chemistry. He further specialized by completing a PhD in Molecular Biology at UCM, where his research focused on the B. subtilis RNA polymerase system. This solid foundation in molecular biology provided him with the expertise to investigate complex neurobiological mechanisms. He then advanced his academic career with postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, where he studied the SV40 virus—a crucial step that introduced him to advanced molecular virology and neurobiology techniques. This diverse academic background enabled him to establish a globally recognized research portfolio in neurodegeneration, particularly tau protein’s role in neuronal function and dysfunction.
Experience
Dr. Avila has an illustrious career spanning several decades at the Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM-CSIC), where he has led pioneering research into the neuronal cytoskeleton, tau protein dysfunction, and neurodegenerative diseases. His early research at NIH on SV40 virus provided him with robust molecular expertise, which he translated into comprehensive studies on tauopathies and Alzheimer’s disease upon returning to Spain. Dr. Avila has successfully led over 30 major research projects, consulted on 8 industry collaborations, and published 694 peer-reviewed articles. His work includes the authorship of 33 books and the filing of 4 patents. Through sustained collaborations with global leaders in neuroscience from the USA, France, UK, Germany, and Spain, he has significantly advanced the understanding of aging and cognitive decline. His academic leadership and editorial roles underscore his vast experience in guiding both research and scientific discourse.
Research Interests
Dr. Avila’s research primarily investigates the neuronal cytoskeleton, with a central focus on tau protein and its role in neurodegeneration. Beginning with tau’s structural function in neurons, his work has expanded to explore how tau dysfunction contributes to Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. Utilizing molecular and cellular approaches, including advanced mouse models, he has dissected the pathological mechanisms linking tau pathology to cognitive decline. Recognizing aging as the principal risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, his current investigations target neuronal rejuvenation strategies to mitigate age-associated neurodegeneration. His integrative approach combines molecular biology, neurogenetics, and translational models, contributing significantly to the understanding of disease progression and potential therapeutic interventions. Through over 694 publications, 33 books, multiple patents, and international collaborations, Dr. Avila has substantially advanced the field of cognitive neuroscience, particularly in understanding and combating tau-mediated cognitive disorders.
Awards
Dr. Avila’s exemplary contributions have earned him numerous prestigious honors. He is an elected member of EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization), Academia Europaea, AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science), and both the Royal Academies of Sciences and Medicine of Spain—testament to his global recognition and scientific excellence. His editorial appointments with highly respected journals such as EMBO J, FEBS Letters, Neuroscience, and his role as Deputy Editor of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease further validate his authority in cognitive and neurodegenerative research. His citation index surpasses 100 on Scopus, reflecting the significant influence of his work. His extensive collaborations with leading international research teams highlight his status as a respected leader in the global scientific community. The combination of his research excellence, mentorship, and leadership has positioned him as one of the foremost experts in cognitive science and neurobiology.
Conclusion
Dr. Jesus Avila’s distinguished career combines pioneering research on tau protein and Alzheimer’s disease, extensive international collaborations, over 694 publications, leadership roles in major journals, multiple prestigious memberships, and an unwavering focus on neuronal rejuvenation strategies, positioning him as a world-leading cognitive scientist whose work continues to advance global understanding of neurodegeneration.
Publications
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Protein tau phosphorylation in the proline rich region and its implication in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
Experimental Neurology
2025 | Journal article
CONTRIBUTORS: Merino-Serrais, P.; Soria, J.M.; Arrabal, C.A.; Ortigado-López, A.; Esparza, M.Á.G.; Muñoz, A.; Hernández, F.; Ávila, J.; DeFelipe, J.; León-Espinosa, G.
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Retrotransposon Protein L1 ORF1p Expression in Aging Central Nervous System
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
2025-05-04 | Journal article
CONTRIBUTORS: Laura Vallés-Saiz; Aaron Abdelkader-Guillén; Jesús Ávila; Félix Hernández
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Shapeshifter W-Tau Peptide Inhibits Tau Aggregation and Disintegrates Paired Helical Filaments
Biochemistry
2025-04-15 | Journal article
CONTRIBUTORS: Indalo Domene-Serrano; Raquel Cuadros; Vega García-Escudero; Francisco Vallejo-Bedia; Ismael Santa-María; Laura Vallés-Saiz; Félix Hernandez; Jesús Avila
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Peptide Family Promotes Brain Cell Rejuvenation and Improved Cognition through Peripheral Delivery
ACS Omega
2025-04-08 | Journal article
CONTRIBUTORS: Alejandro Anton-Fernandez; Indalo Domene-Serrano; Raquel Cuadros; Rocio Peinado-Cahuchola; Margarita Sanchez-Pece; Felix Hernandez; Jesus Avila
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Partial reprogramming by cyclical overexpression of Yamanaka factors improves pathological phenotypes of tauopathy mouse model of human Alzheimer\’s disease
Progress In Neurobiology
2025-04-01 | Journal article | Author
SOURCE-WORK-ID:
CSIC-GB950859
CONTRIBUTORS: Alejandro Anton-Fernandez; Ruiz de Alegría, Álvaro; Mariscal-Casero, Ana; Roldán-Lázaro, Marta; Peinado-Cauchola, Rocío; Jesus Avila; Felix Hernandez
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Hippocampal rejuvenation by a single intracerebral injection of one‐carbon metabolites in C57BL6 old wild‐type mice
Aging Cell
2025-01 | Journal article
CONTRIBUTORS: Alejandro Antón‐Fernández; Rocío Peinado Cauchola; Félix Hernández; Jesús Ávila
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Intron retention as a productive mechanism in human MAPT: RNA species generated by retention of intron 3
eBioMedicine
2024 | Journal article
CONTRIBUTORS: Ruiz-Gabarre, D.; Vallés-Saiz, L.; Carnero-Espejo, A.; Ferrer, I.; Hernández, F.; Garcia-Escudero, R.; Ávila, J.; García-Escudero, V.
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Involvement of the cellular prion protein in seeding and spreading of sarkosyl-derived fractions of Alzheimer´s disease in Prnp mutant mice and in the P301S transgenic tauopathy mice model
bioRxiv
2024 | Other
CONTRIBUTORS: Sala-Jarque, J.; Gil, V.; Andrés-Benito, P.; Lidón, L.; Yanac-Huertas, R.E.; López-León, C.F.; Hernández, F.; Ávila, J.; Lanciego, J.L.; Soriano, J. et al.