The overarching focus of my research is to understand how post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, particularly at the level of mRNA metabolism, participates in modulating neuronal functions. A primary subject of my past and current studies is the immediate early gene Arc, encoding a protein whose function is critical for LTP, LTD, memory consolidation, and homeostatic plasticity. In my work, I have identified a novel pathway modulating Arc mRNA expression, which relies on the presence of introns in its 3’UTR. This unique genomic arrangement causes the mRNA to be targeted for destruction by the Nonsense Mediated Decay pathway (NMD), while concomitantly eliciting its translation upon synaptic stimulation. More recently, we have expanded our study to localized expression of genes that are key to inhibitory GABAergic neurons, a neuronal class which modulates neuronal excitability and rhytmogenesis, and whose dysfunction leads to numerous disorders including epilepsy. Another line of research of the laboratory focuses on the post-transcriptional regulation of the neurotrophin p75NTR receptor which, among its many functions, contributes to specifying axonal polarity during neuronal differentiation. Using cultures of primary neurons and molecular biology approaches, we have discovered a non-coding antisense RNA that modulates p75NTR expression levels and participates in the axon specification process. |
|
As Group Leader at EBRI, I have tutored 14 students, including Master’s Degree students and PhD students, who worked in my laboratory. |
|
Education/Qualifications 2020-present. CNR permanent researcher, III level. 2013-present. Group leader at EBRI “Rita Levi-Montalcini” Foundation 2007-2013. Researcher at EBRI “Rita Levi-Montalcini” Foundation 2002-2007 Howard Hughes Post-doctoral Fellow in Melissa J. Moore Laboratory at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA 1999-2002. PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology. (XIV ciclo), Sapienza University of Rome Laboratory of Prof. Irene Bozzoni.
Scientific Interests:
Technical Expertise
|