- Associate Professor of Physiology (BIO/09), Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna
- ORCID: 0000-0003-3130-5168
- Scopus Author ID: 6603947685
- SciProfiles: 1559919
- Webpage: https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/elisabetta.ciani
SCIENTIFIC PROFILE
- Internationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, translational neuroscience, CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), protein therapy, gene therapy, and innovative therapeutic delivery systems.
- Leader of the Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Neurobiology of Brain Development Disorders at the University of Bologna.
- Pioneer in the development of the first mouse models for CDKL5 disorder and innovative protein/gene therapy strategies with translational potential.
- Extensive expertise in molecular neurobiology, neuronal differentiation, neurogenesis, stem cells, behavioral neuroscience, brain organoids, and engineered probiotics.
CURRENT AND PREVIOUS POSITIONS
- 2014–present: Associate Professor of Physiology (BIO/09), Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna.
- 2001–2014: Assistant Professor, Department of Human and General Physiology, University of Bologna.
- 1999–2001: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Biology, University of Bologna.
- 1995–1999: Postdoctoral Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- 1991: Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Bologna, 110/110 cum laude.
- 1992–1995: PhD in Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Bologna, in collaboration with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment.
- 1994: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory course – Advanced Molecular Cloning and Expression of Eukaryotic Genes (New York, USA).
- 1995: EMBL course – Microinjection, Electroporation and Particle Transfection of Cells (Heidelberg, Germany).
VISITING AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- 14-month research period at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (Kjeller, Norway).
- Postdoctoral activity at Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry (Munich, Germany).
- International training experiences at EMBL Heidelberg and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
PRIZES, HONOURS AND AWARDS
- 2002 SIF Award for Best Young Italian Physiologist.
- 2015 LouLou Foundation Award for contributions to CDKL5 disorder research.
- National Scientific Qualification (ASN) for Full Professorship in Physiology (2012 and renewed 2018).
ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- Head of the Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Neurobiology of Brain Development Disorders.
- Member of the Board of Teachers of the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences/Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna.
- Member of the Teaching Assignments Committee, School of Medicine and Surgery.
- Member of the Educational Activities Committee of DIBINEM.
- Member of the Scientific Committee of the Medical Library (2019–2024).
- Member of the Student Affairs Committee (2019–2022).
- Former member of the Department Council Committee.
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
- Teaching activities since 2002 in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Medical Biotechnology, Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Radiology Techniques, Obstetrics, Dietetics, and Dental Hygiene.
- Human Physiology courses for undergraduate and graduate medical/biotechnology programs.
- Continuous mentorship of multidisciplinary research teams and students.
PHD SUPERVISION
- Supervisor of multiple PhD projects in neuroscience and neurodevelopmental disorders, including projects focused on Down syndrome, CDKL5 disorder, neurogenesis, gene therapy, and neuronal signaling.
- Former PhD students currently hold research and academic positions in Italy and abroad.
EDITORIAL ACTIVITY
- Editorial Board Member: Biomolecules.
- Editorial Board Member: Annals of NeuroPsychiatry.
- Reviewer for Nature Communications, Brain, Human Molecular Genetics, Neurotherapeutics, Journal of Neuroscience, Cell Reports Medicine, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, PLOS ONE, Neuroscience, Journal of Cell Science.
MEMBERSHIP OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
- Italian Society for Neuroscience (SINS).
- Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS).
- Italian Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (SITGEC).
- Scientific member of the Italian CDKL5 Association.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
- Hiroyuki Nakai (Oregon Health & Science University, USA).
- Alysson Muotri (University of California San Diego, USA).
- Tommaso Pizzorusso (Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy).
- Maurizio Giustetto (University of Turin, Italy).
- Khalid Iqbal (New York State Institute for Basic Research, USA).
- Susanna Pietropaolo (University of Bordeaux, France).
- Maria Luisa Tutino (University of Naples Federico II, Italy).
- Ales Berlec (Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia).
- Collaborations with Amicus Therapeutics and biotechnology partners.
ORGANIZATION OF SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
- Organizer of the First International Meeting on CDKL5 Rare Disease (Bologna, 2012).
- Organizer of the Second International Meeting of CDKL5 Associations (Bologna, 2014).
- Organizer of the 4th International CDKL5 Congress (Rome, 2017).
INVITED SPEAKER ACTIVITY
- Invited speaker at international conferences on Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, CDKL5 disorder, neurogenesis, and translational neuroscience.
- Invited talks in Paris, Athens, Barcelona, Rome, Chicago, Bologna, Milan, and UK scientific meetings.
PATENTS AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
- US9290746B2 – TATk-CDKL5 fusion proteins, compositions, formulations, and use thereof.
- WO2017153834 – Treatment of CDKL5 Disorders with GSK3β inhibitor Tideglusib.
- Patent 102019000008877 – New Gene Therapy Constructs.
- Patent 102022000013894 – Artificial Protein and Its Uses.
- EP24175034.8 – Non-pathogenic bacteria for delivery of PTD-fusion proteins.
- Patent 102025000017965 – CDK inhibitor for treatment of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder.
- Co-founder and CEO of LactoThera S.r.l., innovative startup developing probiotic-based therapeutic delivery systems.
SCIENTIFIC FUNDING AND COORDINATION
- Coordinator and PI of multiple competitive national and international grants from Telethon Foundation, PRIN, FIRB, Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, Orphan Disease Center (University of Pennsylvania), CARISBO Foundation, Del Monte Foundation, UK CDKL5 Foundation, PNRR/MNESYS, and industrial sponsored agreements.
- Extensive experience coordinating multidisciplinary translational research projects involving neuroscience, gene therapy, stem cells, engineered bacteria, and brain organoids.
SELECTED CURRENT AND PAST GRANTS
- 2025–2027 Telethon Foundation – Engineering Probiotics for the Safe Delivery of Therapeutic Proteins in Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
- 2023–2026 PRIN – Exploiting hematopoietic stem cells for delivery of recombinant secretable proteins for CDKL5 disorder.
- 2023–2026 PNRR/MNESYS – Researcher, Spoke 4.
- 2022–2024 Jérôme Lejeune Foundation – Lactococcus lactis as therapeutic live vector.
- 2019–2022 Telethon Foundation – Innovative strategy to enhance gene therapy for CDKL5 disorder.
- 2018–2020 Jérôme Lejeune Foundation – Brain gene therapy for CDKL5 disorder.
- 2017–2018 Orphan Disease Center (University of Pennsylvania) – Innovative gene therapy strategy for CDKL5 disorder.
- 2016–2018 Telethon Foundation – Therapeutic strategies for CDKL5 disorder.
- 2011–2013 Telethon Foundation – Molecular mechanisms underlying CDKL5 disorder.
- 2007–2009 PRIN – Identification of genes underlying defects in brain development in Down syndrome.
- 2002–2005 FIRB – Gene expression and neurochemical characterization in a Down syndrome animal model.
SPONSORED RESEARCH AGREEMENTS
• 2014–2016 Sponsored Research Agreement with MiaMed.
• 2017–2019 Sponsored Research Agreement with Amicus Therapeutics.
• 2021–2023 Sponsored Research Agreement with Amicus Therapeutics.
• 2026–2027 Sponsored Research Agreement with Insud Pharma (currently under negotiation / pending signature).
PUBLICATION TRACK RECORD
- Author of nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications in international journals.
- h-index approximately 38–39.
- More than 4,000 citations according to Scopus.
