Molecular basis of viral neurotropism
Understanding how viruses enter, manipulate, and damage neurons and other cells of the central nervous system.
Virology · Proteomics · Neurotropism · Systems Biology
Alejandro Matia, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow - Stanford University
I am interested in understanding the molecular bases of viral neurotropism. My research combines molecular virology, multi-omics, functional genomics, and computational analysis to understand how neurotropic viruses enter, reprogram, and damage host neurons.
Bio
Alejandro Matía is a CZ Biohub Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellow, working jointly with the Huttenhain lab at Stanford and the Arias group at the CZ Biohub San Francisco. The main focus of his research is to use systems approaches to uncover new insights into viral infections, such as identifying host factors in relevant study models. Alejandro obtained his PhD research at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), employing multi-omic technologies such as CRISPR genetic screens and single cell transcriptomics in Poxvirus infections. His interest in Bioinformatics led to the creation of MaGplotR, a tool designed for the analysis of multiple genetic screens. Alejandro also has experience in long-read sequencing, and he has sequenced different viral genomes such as Vaccinia virus, Monkeypox virus, West Nile virus and others.
Research
Current topics and scientific questions.
Systems virology and proteomic profiling
Using proteomics, multi-omics integration, and systems-level approaches to map how viral infection reshapes cellular states and host pathways.
Computational models of virus–host interactions
Developing and applying computational approaches to predict how viruses interact with host cells, identify vulnerable pathways, and generate testable hypotheses.
Publications
bioRxiv preprint
2026
V-SWITCH: A single-vector OFF-to-ON fluorescent reporter of live RNA virus infections
A preprint describing V-SWITCH, a modular single-vector fluorescent reporter designed to detect live RNA virus infections in living cells.
bioRxiv preprint
2024
Spatio-temporal analysis of Vaccinia virus infection and host response dynamics using single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics
A systems-level study of Vaccinia virus infection dynamics that combines single-cell transcriptomics with proteomics to resolve how host responses evolve across infection.
bioRxiv preprint
2023
MaGplotR: a software for the analysis and visualization of multiple MaGeCK screen datasets through aggregation
A software-oriented contribution focused on aggregating and visualizing multiple MaGeCK screen datasets in a more streamlined and interpretable way.
Vaccines
2023
Vaccinia Virus Strain MVA Expressing a Prefusion-Stabilized SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein Induces Robust Protection and Prevents Brain Infection in Mouse and Hamster Models
Preclinical vaccine study showing robust protection with an MVA platform expressing a prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike, including prevention of detectable brain infection in mice.
PLoS Pathogens
2022
Identification of β2 microglobulin, the product of B2M gene, as a Host Factor for Vaccinia Virus Infection by Genome-Wide CRISPR genetic screens
Genome-wide screening work identifying host factors involved in Vaccinia virus infection, including β2-microglobulin as a previously unrecognized entry-related factor.
Current Opinion in Virology
2020
Tools for the targeted genetic modification of poxvirus genomes
A review of classical and emerging strategies for engineering poxvirus genomes, with relevance to recombinant vaccines, biotechnology, and reverse genetics.
Trajectory
Research Experience
11/2024 – 11/2026
Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellow – Arias Group and Ruth Huttenhain lab
CZ Biohub and Stanford University, CA, USA
11/2023 – 10/2024
Postdoctoral researcher – Ruth Huttenhain lab
Stanford University, CA, USA
07/2019 – 09/2023
Postdoctoral researcher – Rafael Blasco Lab
INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
09/2019 – 07/2023
Predoctoral researcher – PhD Student, Rafael Blasco Lab
INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
07/2022 – 11/2022
Visiting Scientist – Carolina Arias Lab
Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
01/2018 – 06/2018
Master’s Thesis – Andrés de la Escosura Lab
Dept. Organic Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
06/2015 – 06/2016
Student Internship – José Ruiz Castón Lab
National Center for Biotechnology – CSIC, Madrid, Spain
Education
09/2019 – 09/2023
PhD in Microbiology (Virology), summa cum laude
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
06/2021 – 06/2022
Diploma in Bioinformatics
Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
09/2017 – 06/2018
Masters in Biotechnology
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
09/2012 – 06/2017
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Recognition
2026 · Stanford Synthetic Biology Postdoctoral Support — Grant
2026 · ASV Conference Travel Award
2026 · Stanford BioX Travel Award
2024 · Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellowship
2019 · Predoctoral Research Fellowship (FPI), Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation
2018 · Academic Excellence Scholarship, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Contact
Email
matia@stanford.edu