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Project: Elucidation of transcriptomic signatures in preserving cognition in old age
Nationality: Italian
Supervisor / Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Christoph Kaleta / Prof. Dr. Ines Thiele
Host Organisation: Christian Albrechts Universität zu Kiel (CAU), Germany
After obtaining my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, I graduated in the master course of Quantitative and Computational Biology at Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy in March 2020. During my master’s degree, I did an internship about transcriptomic data integration into metabolic models at the R&D department of Explora s.r.l. in Mestre, Italy. From the end of 2013 until July 2020 I also worked on software customizations for my family’s computer science firm Flor Informatica s.r.l.
What is your project/research about? What would you like to find out?
The aim of my research project is to identify those molecular pathways, as well as gut bacterial species and metabolites, that are associated with changes in brain functions during the course of aging. In addition to this, the available transcriptomic data will be combined with models of host and gut bacteria metabolism in order to investigate the biological mechanisms of action of the identified components (i.e. bacterial species, metabolites and pathways) for cognition decline and maintenance. The ultimate goal of the project is to employ the new knowledge obtained from this study to propose interventions, in the form of metabolites and/or probiotics, that could mitigate cognition decline during aging.
Why did you apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN and especially this project?
I see the possibility of working in such an international and interdisciplinary network as an highly stimulating opportunity for both professional and personal development. Moreover, the ITN provides a great opportunity to establish collaborations across multiple laboratories and countries. I think that such collaborations can have a great impact during and even beyond the project duration. I’m particularly interested in this project because it ranges from hypothesis generation to a practical application of the obtained knowledge, potentially allowing us to see an applicable benefit from our work, as the formulation of new testable interventions to counteract cognition decline.
What is so fascinating for you on research in general?
I always felt really interested about how complex systems works and how their behavior emerge from their inner components interactions, so I’m fascinated by the idea of investigating the underlying mechanisms that lie behind biological systems functions. I also like to work with people having different areas of expertise, which is so common in scientific research and allow to have a broader point of view on the topic under study. Last but not least, I strongly believe that research is essential for the improvement of life quality and sustainability, and I am happy of having the possibility to add my contribution to it.
What do you do in your free time? Do you have special interests/hobbies?
I enjoy doing outdoor physical activities such as mountain bike, trekking and skiing, and I like practicing martial arts as a hobby too. I am a passionate listener of rock and metal music!
What are your plans for your future? Where/what you will be in 5 years?
My ultimate goal is to work as a scientific consultant for life science industries.