Dr David Castaño Mayan

Biography
Dr. David Castaño is the Lead of the Compound Screening Platform at A*STAR Skin Research Labs (ASRL), driving the discovery and validation of novel actives for skin applications. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of the Basque Country, completed at CIC bioGUNE, where he specialized in structural biology and protein characterization using NMR spectroscopy, with applications to rare diseases such as porphyria. He later completed postdoctoral training at the Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, focusing on metabolic disorders, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and genetic mouse models.

Over the past 20 years, Dr. Castaño has built a strong research portfolio across academia, translational science, and consumer health through roles at A*STAR and the National University of Singapore. Since joining A*STAR SRL in 2022, he has been focusing on high-throughput screenings, target identification, and the discovery of bioactive compounds for skin aging, pigmentation, and inflammatory skin diseases. His work bridges fundamental biology and translational skincare innovation, with a strong track record in team leadership, industry collaboration, and generation of intellectual property in consumer health science. Dr David Castaño is also a member of the Spanish Scientific Society of Singapore (ACESG).

Research Interests
Dr. David Castaño’s research focuses on the identification and characterization of bioactive compounds that modulate key pathways in skin biology, inflammasome regulation and skin homeostasis. His work integrates high-throughput screening, cellular and molecular biology, and advanced skin models to uncover mechanisms driving inflammation, aging, and pigmentation.

A central goal of his research is to translate these discoveries into innovative therapeutic and consumer skincare applications. By combining target identification, hit validation, and functional assays in 2D and 3D skin systems, he drives the development of novel actives with clinical and commercial potential. His multidisciplinary approach bridges fundamental biology and product innovation through collaborations with academic and industry partners.

Selected Publications
Castaño D. et al. (2022). “Abca8b promotes myelination via regulation of CSPG4 in oligodendrocyte precursor cells.” Journal of Lipid Research, 63(1):100147.

Zhong S. et al. (2022). “Haploinsufficiency of CYP8B1 associates with increased insulin sensitivity in humans.” Journal of Clinical Investigation, 132(21): e152961.

Tripathi M. et al. (2022). “Caffeine prevents restenosis via autophagy induction.” Autophagy, 11:1-11.

Castaño D. et al. (2019). “Lipid efflux mechanisms and therapeutic implications.”  Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews.

Castaño D. et al. (2014). “Cardiotrophin-1 eliminates hepatic steatosis in obese mice.”  Hepatology, 60(5):1017-25.

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