Braulio A. Munoz Ramirez, PhD

Bio

Braulio Munoz is a Chilean native, who got his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Concepcion in Chile. He received his doctorate in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Concepcion in Chile in 2016. Then, he moved to the USA to complete the postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Brady Atwood at Indiana University School of Medicine. Currently, Dr. Munoz is an Assistant Research Professor in Dr. Brady Atwood’s laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Indiana University School of Medicine, with a specific focus on studying glutamatergic and inhibitory (GABA, glycine) synaptic plasticity within corticostriatal neurocircuits. Dr.Munoz's personal life, he is a father of three amazing girls, he loves Star Wars, Lego playsets, also he enjoys cooking, grunge music, playing videogames with his daughters and spending outdoor time biking, hiking and fishing with his wonderful wife and fantastic daughters.

Key Publications

Muñoz B, Gallegos S, Peters C, Murath P, Lovinger DM, Homanics GE and Aguayo LG. (2019). Influence of nonsynaptic α1 glycine receptors on ethanol consumption and place preference. Addiction Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/adb.12726

Muñoz B, Fritz BM, Yin F and Atwood BK. (2018). Alcohol exposure disrupts mu opioid receptor-mediated long-term depression at insular cortex inputs to dorsolateral striatum. Nature Communications. 9(1): 1318.

Muñoz B, Haggerty D and Atwood BK. Synapse-specific expression of mu opioid receptor long-term depression in the dorsomedial striatum. Scientific Reports. 10 (1):7234. (2020). PMID: 32350330

Muñoz B and Atwood BK. (2023). A novel inhibitory corticostriatal circuit that expresses mu opioid receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity. Neuropharmacology. 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109696. PMID: 37659438.

Titles & Appointments

Assistant Research Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology

Education

2016 PhD University of Concepcion

2011 BS University of Concepcion
Research

The effects of ethanol on the brain have led my interest in the neurophysiological mechanisms of ethanol; first, in glycine receptors and currently in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic plasticity. I have a strong background in the study of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors from my graduate training in Dr. Luis Aguayo’s lab in Chile. In addition, I acquired expertise during my postdoctoral training in Dr. Atwood’s laboratory on mu opioid-mediated and cannabinoid-mediated glutamatergic plasticity, resulting in a number of different significant publications including one first-author publication in Nature Communications. My mentors provided me with a broad skill set in brain slice electrophysiology, optogenetic manipulations of neural circuits, stereotaxic surgeries to infuse AAV viral vectors and implant optic probes, the use of transgenic mice, and the study of G protein-coupled receptor signaling mechanisms, inhibitory and excitatory transmission, and synaptic plasticity. Also, during my time as a graduate, postdoctoral and now as a Research Professor, I have mentored numerous laboratory students (undergraduates and graduates), technicians and postdoctoral trainees in electrophysiological techniques, stereotaxic surgery and biochemistry methods.
Awards

Org: International Narcotic Research Conference
Desc: Travel Award
Scope: International
Date: 2023-07-11

Org: International Narcotic Research Conference
Desc: Travel Award for poster and oral presentation
Scope: International
Date: 2017-07-11

Org: Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepcion
Desc: “Diploma Lipschutz” for poster presentation
Scope: Regional
Date: 2016-01-15

Org: LASBRA
Desc: Harold Kalant's 90th birthday LASBRA tribute award for poster presentation
Scope: International
Date: 2013-10-19

Org: Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica
Desc: Fellowship for doctoral studies in Chile
Scope: National
Date: 2011-03-01

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