I obtained a Master's degree summa cum laude in Biological Sciences at the University of Padua. After my degree I moved to London, where I attained a PhD in biochemistry at the University College of London, working in the laboratory of Dr. Schiavo at Cancer Research UK. I then moved to IIT, in Genova, where I currently hold a Researcher position in the group led by Dr. Benfenati.
I have spent most of my career working in the neuroscience field. During my PhD and postdoc, I have worked on axonal transport, intracellular trafficking and signaling, mouse genetics and development, physiology of neurotrophins, and synaptic vesicle recycling. I have recently approached the new and exciting field of optogenetics, and I am now supervising a number of projects dealing with the development and validation of new optogenetic probes for in vitro and in vivo applications. In addition, I am involved in a number of collaborative projects, all EU-funded, aimed at characterizing new biocompatible materials for nervous system regeneration.
My past and present research activity within the IIT Center for Synaptic Neuroscience (IIT-NSYN) has focused on the understanding of the molecular and genetic pathways controlling neuronal development and maturation, as well as on the mechanisms that ensure the maintenance of network homeostasis. I have approached this topic by studying (i) the biology of the neurotrophin family of growth factors, mainly brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and (ii) the role of the RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) in the control of gene expression through epigenetic modifications of target chromatin. More recently, I have approached the field of ‘material biology’ (iii), working on the characterization of novel biocompatible materials to modulate network development and activity and drive nervous system regeneration.
(i) In a series of papers spanning several years of research, I have characterized the role played by Kinase D interacting substrate of 220 kDa (Kidins220), a transmembrane neuronal protein, in the modulation of the intracellular signaling pathways triggered by neurotrophins. In vitro studies on primary neurons and astrocytes showed that Kidins220 mediates BDNF stimuli to achieve proper growth, differentiation and maturation of neural cells, modulating important physiological processes such as intracellular trafficking, synaptic activity and intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. In parallel to this work, I have also undertaken an in vivo approach, using Kidins220-deficient mouse lines that I generated at UCL, which allowed investigating how Kidins220 and neurotrophins contribute to nervous system development and to the acquisition and maintenance of higher functions such as learning, memory and social behavior. In the latest years, I have worked on this project together with two PhD students and a post-doctoral fellow, hired thanks to a ‘Compagnia di San Paolo’ grant I was awarded, all of whom I directly supervised. By working on this research line, I have gained an extensive knowledge of cellular neurobiology, especially on the molecular mechanisms modulating neuronal survival, growth and differentiation. Moreover, I have acquired a broad expertise in the phenotypic analysis of transgenic mouse lines, mastering a number of experimental approaches including biochemistry, histology and behavioral analysis.
(ii) The alteration of REST-dependent transcriptional regulation is a common feature of several neurological diseases, thus, the possibility to manipulate the activity of this transcription factor is of high interest for pre-clinical and clinical studies. To tackle this challenge, I contributed to the engineering of two classes of optogenetic tools able to bi-directionally modulate the activity of REST: probes based on the light-sensitive Light-Oxygen-Voltage (LOV) domain, to inhibit REST binding to target genes, and probes based on the RNA-binding protein Pumilio and FBF (PUF), to increase REST expression and activity (unpublished). These tools are currently applied to understand the role of REST in the control of neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity, in vitro and in vivo in pharmacological and genetic models of epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as by using a transgenic mouse line bearing the floxed REST gene. We are furthermore studying the signaling pathways and post-translational modifications controlling REST activity. Co-leading this project gave me the opportunity to approach the field of optogenetics, and to acquire the basic mechanisms underlying the light-induced modulation of cell physiology. Moreover, thanks to the ongoing collaboration with the research group led by Prof. Uccelli (IRCCS San Martino, Genova), I became familiar with the mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a widely accepted model of demyelinating diseases, such as MS. This allowed me to gain some experience on the important topic of neuroinflammation, which I am currently pursuing through the use of neuronal cultures in vitro, and in vivo in EAE mice.
(iii) Research on novel biocompatible materials has blossomed in recent years, especially for applications in the neuroscience field, as there is a paucity of effective treatments to recover neuronal damage upon insults or in the presence of neurodegenerative diseases. In this context, I carried on my research activity mainly within a number of EU-funded projects, including the GRAPHENE Flagship. With the aim of identifying novel materials suitable for drug delivery, I contributed to the characterization of the toxicity of a range of graphene-based materials and nanoparticles, with primary neurons, astrocytes and microglia [Chiacchiaretta et al, under revision]. Particular attention is presently devoted to the ability of these materials to efficiently and safely cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to act as efficient vectors for drug or nucleic acid delivery to the brain. In parallel, we are investigating the possibility to grow functional neural networks on 2D planar / 3D scaffolds made of electrically conductive materials, patterned and functionalized with various bioactive molecules. Conductive materials are of interest as they can drive growth and regeneration, while adhesion and synaptogenic molecules can be exploited to achieve patterned growth and enhance the formation of functional synapses. The performance of the various substrates is evaluated first in vitro, and the best-performing devices are subsequently tested in vivo, in animal models of nervous system injury.
Bramini M, Sacchetti S, Armirotti A, Rocchi A, Vázquez E, León Castellanos V, Bandiera T, Cesca F*, Benfenati F*: Graphene Oxide Nanosheets Disrupt Lipid Composition, Ca(2+) Homeostasis, and Synaptic Transmission in Primary Cortical Neurons. ACS Nano. 2016 Jul 26;10(7):7154-71. *equal contribution, corresponding authors
Paonessa F, Criscuolo S, Sacchetti S, Amoroso D, Scarongella H, Pecoraro Bisogni F, Carminati E, Pruzzo G, Maragliano L, Cesca F*, Benfenati F*: Regulation of neural gene transcription by optogenetic inhibition of the RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Jan 5;113(1):E91-E100. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1507355112. Epub 2015 Dec 23. *equal contribution, corresponding authors
Fiala GJ, Janowska I, Prutek F, Hobeika E, Satapathy A, Sprenger A, Plum T, Seidl M, Dengjel J, Reth M, Cesca F, Brummer T, Minguet S, Schamel WW: Kidins220/ARMS binds to the B cell antigen receptor and regulates B cell development and activation. J Exp Med. 2015 Aug 31. pii: jem.20141271
Medrihan L, Cesca F, Raimondi A, Lignani G, Baldelli P and Benfenati F: Synapsin II desynchronizes neurotransmitter release at inhibitory synapses by interacting with presynaptic calcium channels. Nat Commun. 2013;4:1512
Cesca F*#, Yabe A*, Spencer-Dene B, Scholz-Starke J, Medrihan L, Maden CH, Gerhardt H, Orriss IR, Baldelli P, Al-Qatari M, Koltzenburg M, Adams RH, Benfenati F and Schiavo G: Kidins220/ARMS mediates the integration of the neurotrophin and VEGF pathways in the vascular and nervous systems. Cell Death Differ. 2012 Feb;19(2):194-208 #corresponding author
Principal Investigator in the following project:
Co-investigator in the following projects (past and present):
Part of the Research team in the following projects (past and present):
L’Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) è una fondazione di diritto privato - cfr. determinazione Corte dei Conti 23/2015 “IIT è una fondazione da inquadrare fra gli organismi di diritto pubblico con la scelta di un modello di organizzazione di diritto privato per rispondere all’esigenza di assicurare procedure più snelle nella selezione non solo nell’ambito nazionale dei collaboratori, scienziati e ricercatori ”.
IIT è sotto la vigilanza del Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca e del Ministero dell'Economia e delle Finanze ed è stato istituito con la Legge 326/2003. La Fondazione ha l'obiettivo di promuovere l'eccellenza nella ricerca di base e in quella applicata e di favorire lo sviluppo del sistema economico nazionale. La costruzione dei laboratori iniziata nel 2006 si è conclusa nel 2009.
Lo staff complessivo di IIT conta circa 1440 persone. L’area scientifica è rappresentata da circa l’85% del personale. Il 45% dei ricercatori proviene dall’estero: di questi, il 29% è costituito da stranieri provenienti da oltre 50 Paesi e il 16% da italiani rientrati. Oggi il personale scientifico è composto da circa 60 principal investigators, circa 110 ricercatori e tecnologi di staff, circa 350 post doc, circa 500 studenti di dottorato e borsisti, circa 130 tecnici. Oltre 330 posti su 1400 creati su fondi esterni. Età media 34 anni. 41% donne / 59 % uomini.
Nel 2015 IIT ha ricevuto finanziamenti pubblici per circa 96 milioni di euro (80% del budget), conseguendo fondi esterni per 22 milioni di euro (20% budget) provenienti da 18 progetti europei, 17 finanziamenti da istituzioni nazionali e internazionali, circa 60 progetti industriali
La produzione di IIT ad oggi vanta circa 6990 pubblicazioni, oltre 130 finanziamenti Europei e 11 ERC, più di 350 domande di brevetto attive, oltre 12 start up costituite e altrettante in fase di lancio. Dal 2009 l’attività scientifica è stata ulteriormente rafforzata con la creazione di dieci centri di ricerca nel territorio nazionale (a Torino, Milano, Trento, Parma, Roma, Pisa, Napoli, Lecce, Ferrara) e internazionale (MIT ed Harvard negli USA) che, unitamente al Laboratorio Centrale di Genova, sviluppano i programmi di ricerca del piano scientifico 2015-2017.
Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) is a public research institute that adopts the organizational model of a private law foundation. IIT is overseen by Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca and Ministero dell'Economia e delle Finanze (the Italian Ministries of Education, Economy and Finance). The Institute was set up according to Italian law 326/2003 with the objective of promoting excellence in basic and applied research andfostering Italy’s economic development. Construction of the Laboratories started in 2006 and finished in 2009.
IIT has an overall staff of about 1,440 people. The scientific staff covers about 85% of the total. Out of 45% of researchers coming from abroad 29% are foreigners coming from more than 50 countries and 16% are returned Italians. The scientific staff currently consists of approximately 60 Principal Investigators, 110 researchers and technologists, 350 post-docs and 500 PhD students and grant holders and 130 technicians. External funding has allowed the creation of more than 330 positions . The average age is 34 and the gender balance proportion is 41% female against 59% male.
In 2015 IIT received 96 million euros in public funding (accounting for 80% of its budget) and obtained 22 million euros in external funding (accounting for 20% of its budget). External funding comes from 18 European Projects, other 17 national and international competitive projects and approximately 60 industrial projects.
So far IIT accounts for: about 6990 publications, more than 130 European grants and 11 ERC grants, more than 350 patents or patent applications, 12 up start-ups and as many which are about to be launched. The Institute’s scientific activity has been further strengthened since 2009 with the establishment of 11 research nodes throughout Italy (Torino, Milano, Trento, Parma, Roma, Pisa, Napoli, Lecce, Ferrara) and abroad (MIT and Harvard University, USA), which, along with the Genoa-based Central Lab, implement the research programs included in the 2015-2017 Strategic Plan.
