Originally from Lazio (Italy), I got my Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena with a thesis entitled “Analysis of the target genes of microRna miR-642 by luciferase assay”. Afterwards, I continued my studies by taking my Master degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”.
During my internship and Master degree thesis I mainly dealt with cell and molecular biology and in particular with the isolation, ex vivo expansion, differentiation and characterization of both human and murine mesenchymal stem cells from different tissues. Moreover, during my thesis I implemented my knowledge regarding the angiogenetic features of Mesenchymal stem cells by exploring the effect of platelet lysate-derived Neuropeptide Y (NPY) on adipose stromal cells. In this study, I analyzed the influence of NPY as a main angiogenic inducer in our platelet lysate (Mesengen®, patented by Sapienza University and Futura Relife) on adipose stromal cell cultures and the biological effects mediated by NPY.
I am currently registered as a PhD Marie Curie Fellow in Professor Bieback´s group at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. The aim of my project is to assess safety and efficacy of A-MSCs in a mouse IRI model and investigating mechanisms of action (MoA) of A-MSCs and other MSC sub-types by determining their immunomodulatory effects.