Carla Russo
Curriculum vitae e dichiarazione altri incarichi ex D.lgs. n.33/2013
Date of birth: 09/08/1995
Country of birth: Italy
Nationality: Italian
PRESENT POSITION
November 2021-today: PhD student in Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, curriculum Neurophysiology, University of Bologna, Italy.
My PhD project is focused on studying the effects of an adolescent treatment with the BDNF mimetic 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) on brain wiring, synaptic plasticity and cognitive performance in the Ts65Dn mouse.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
March 2021-October 2021: External Visitor at Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Neurobiology of Developmental Brain Disorders, University of Bologna, Italy.
December 2020: Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Bologna with thesis in: Study on transcription factors involved in proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursors and neural precursors in the rare demyelinating disease AGC1-deficiency.
Grades 110 cum laude/110.
January 2020-November 2020: Curricular Internship at Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology, University of Bologna, Italy.
2018: Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy.
Grades 110 cum laude /110.
2014: Classical High-school Certificate. Grades 100/100.
MAJOR RESEARCH FIELDS
Therapeutic approaches for the rescue of brain development in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome.
Molecular mechanisms underlying brain alterations in Down syndrome.
TECHNICAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCES
o Maintenance of mouse colonies and mice handling for pharmacological treatments.
o CELL CULTURES: Maintenance of glial and neuronal cell lines.
o HISTOLOGY: Preparation of histological samples, simple and double fluorescence immunohistochemistry.
o NEURON MORPHOMETRY: reconstruction with dedicated software of brain volume, neuron number and neuronal dendritic arbor.
o MICROSCOPY: Optical and Fluorescence.
o MOLECULAR BIOLOGY: DNA extraction and analysis, PCR technology, protein purification and analysis (Lowry, Western blot).
o BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION: Expertise on behavioral tests for evaluation of learning and memory (Morris Water Maze, Novel Object Recognition, Passive Avoidance)
AFFILIATION WITH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SOCIETY
Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS)
AWARDS
o 2nd place winner at “Coimbra Group 3-Minute-Thesis Competition Unibo Edition” with a pitch titled: “Is it possible to improve intellectual ability in Down syndrome with a pharmacological treatment during adolescence?” (23 February 2023, Bologna, Italy)
o Winner of a Young Investigator Travel Award to attend the “4th International Conference of Trisomy 21 Research Society” (June 2022, Long Beach, California).
PROFESSIONAL COURSES
o 16/11/2022: "Biology and handling of laboratory animals, modules 3.1, 4, 5, 6.1, 7. DM 5 August 2021 rodents and lagomorphs-1^ Edition”. Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardia and EmiliaRomagna.
o 22/11/2022: “National legislation and ethics level 1, modules 1 and 2, DM 5 August 2021-Single edition”. Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna
PARTECIPATION TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES
o INVITED SPEAKER
· Russo C., Emili M., Guidi S., Angelozzi L., Aicardi G., Bartesaghi R., Stagni F. “Trattamento adolescenziale con il BDNF mimetico 7,8- diidrossiflavone: una strategia utile per migliorare lo sviluppo della fascia dentata ippocampica nel modello Ts65Dn di sindrome di Down”. VI National Scientific Conference, “Sindrome di Down: dalla Ricerca alla Terapia”. 21-22 October, 2022.
o ABSTACTS
· Russo C., M. Emili, S. Guidi, L. Angelozzi, G. Aicardi, R. Bartesaghi, F. Stagni. “Adolescence represents an important window of opportunity for the rescue of dendritic pathology with a BDNF mimetic in a mouse model of Down syndrome.” III Edition More Than Neurons Changing the paradigm for novel therapeutic avenues. Turin, Italy, 15-17 December 2022.
· Emili M., Stagni F., Russo C., Bartesaghi R., Guidi S. “Treatment with a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist during adolescence: a strategy to improve hippocampal dendritic maturation and behavior in a mouse model of Down syndrome.” III Edition More Than Neurons Changing the paradigm for novel therapeutic avenues. Turin, Italy, 15-17 December 2022.
· Russo C., M. Emili, S. Guidi, L. Angelozzi, G. Aicardi, R. Bartesaghi, F. Stagni. “Administration of the BDNF mimetic 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone during adolescence rescues neuron maturation and improves hippocampus-dependent memory in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome.” 72nd SIF National Congress-The Italian Society of Physiology. Bari, Italy. 14-16 September 2022.
· Emili M., Stagni F., Russo C., Bartesaghi R., Guidi S. “Adolescent treatment with a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist improves hippocampal dendritic maturation and behavior in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome” 72nd SIF National Congress-The Italian Society of Physiology. Bari, Italy. 14-16 September 2022.
· Emili M., Stagni F., Russo C., Bartesaghi R., Guidi S. “Adolescent treatment with a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist improves hippocampal granule cell dendritic development and behaviour in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome.” 4th T21RS International Conference. Long Beach, California. June 9-12, 2022
· Russo C., Emili M., Guidi S., Aicardi G., Bartesaghi R., Stagni. “Adolescent treatment with the BDNF mimetic 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone rescues dendritic pathology and improves hippocampus-dependent memory in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome”. 4th T21RS International Conference. Long Beach, California. June 9-12, 2022
o ATTENDANCE
· 2nd International Conference on Neuroprotection by Drugs, Nutraceuticals, and Physical Activity. Virtual Edition, December 9-10, 2021
· V National Scientific Conference “Sindrome di Down: dalla Diagnosi alla Terapia”. Virtual Edition, October 15-16, 2021
PUBLICATIONS
Uguagliati B., Stagni F., Emili M., Giacomini A., Russo C., Guidi S., Bartesaghi R. Early Appearance of Dendritic Alterations in Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons of the Ts65Dn Model of Down Syndrome. Dev Neurosci. 2022;44(1):23-38.