Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Research Unit: Instituto de Neurociencias

Research Gate:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cruz-Morenilla

Research Fields:

-Axon guidance, Neural circuit, TRP channels, sensory systems, Pain.

Representative Publications:

• A highly conserved neuronal microexon in DAAM1 controls actin dynamics, RHOA/ROCK signaling, and memory formation. Poliński P, et al. Nat Commun. 2025  doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59430-w.
• Proper Frequency of Perinatal Retinal Waves Is Essential for the Precise Wiring of Visual Axons in Nonimage-Forming Nuclei. Negueruela S*, Morenilla-Palao C*, Sala S, Ordoño P, Herrera M, Coca Y, López-Cascales MT, Florez-Paz D, Gomis A, Herrera E. J Neurosci. 2024. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1408-23.2024.
• ARID1A-BAF coordinates ZIC2 genomic occupancy for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cranial neural crest specification. Barnada SM, Giner de Gracia A, Morenilla-Palao C, López-Cascales MT, Scopa C, Waltrich FJ Jr, Mikkers HMM, Cicardi ME, Karlin J, Trotti D, Peterson KA, Brugmann SA, Santen GWE, McMahon SB, Herrera E, Trizzino M. Am J Hum Genet. 2024 doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.07.022.
•  A Zic2-regulated switch in a noncanonical Wnt/βcatenin pathway is essential for the formation of bilateral circuits. Morenilla-Palao C, López-Cascales MT, López-Atalaya JP, Baeza D, Calvo-Díaz L, Barco A, Herrera E. Sci Adv. 2020  doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz8797.
• Guidance of retinal axons in mammals. Herrera E, Erskine L, Morenilla-Palao C. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2019 doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.11.027.  Review
• Lipid raft segregation modulates TRPM8 channel activity.Morenilla-Palao C, Pertusa M, Meseguer V, Cabedo H, Viana F.J Biol Chem. 2009 doi: 10.1074/jbc.M807228200. Corresponding autor.
•  Ion channel profile of TRPM8 cold receptors reveals a role of TASK-3 potassium channels in thermosensation. Morenilla-Palao C, Luis E, Fernández-Peña C, Quintero E, Weaver JL, Bayliss DA, Viana F. Cell Rep. 2014 doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.08.003. Corresponding autor.
• Expression of the cold thermoreceptor TRPM8 in rodent brain thermoregulatory circuits. Ordás P, Hernández-Ortego P, Vara H, Fernández-Peña C, Reimúndez A, Morenilla-Palao C, Guadaño-Ferraz A, Gomis A, Hoon M, Viana F, Señarís R. J Comp Neurol. 2021 doi: 10.1002/cne.24694.
• Ocular surface wetness is regulated by TRPM8-dependent cold thermoreceptors of the cornea. Parra A, Madrid R, Echevarria D, del Olmo S, Morenilla-Palao C, Acosta MC, Gallar J, Dhaka A, Viana F, Belmonte C. Nat Med. 2010 doi: 10.1038/nm.2264.
• Zic2-dependent axon midline avoidance controls the formation of major ipsilateral tracts in the CNS. Escalante A, Murillo B, Morenilla-Palao C, Klar A, Herrera E. Neuron. 2013 doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2013.10.007.

Patents and Available Technologies: 

1.  Cruz Morenilla; Rosa Planells; Nuria Garcia; Antonio V. Ferrer. P200301768. New therapeutic targets and their uses for pain treatments Spain. 01/01/2008. University of Miguel Hernandez.