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Project: Impact of the gut microbiome on cognitive function in middle-aged subjects. Effects of weight loss
Nationality: Italian
Supervisor / Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jose Manuel Fernandez-Real, Dr. Jordi Mayneris-Perxachs / Prof. Dr. Kathrin Finke
Host Organisation: The Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Girona (IDIBGI), Spain
I obtained my Bachelor and Master’s degrees at the University of Milan Bicocca. During my Bachelor I did a curricular internship in a company that prepared creams and cosmetics, I mainly worked in the Quality Control department but I had the chance also to work in the Research and Development and to prepare creams. During my Master I challenged myself in synthesizing gelatin-based hydrogel for drug delivery and characterizing them through NMR spectroscopy.
After my graduation I started working as assistant researcher at the University of Milan La Statale searching for new solutions to fight intracellular pathogens. Within this period I worked on different projects investigating host-pathogen interactions in the context of mycobacterial infections and I achieved my first publication.
Now I can not wait to start a new experience as part of the SmartAge ITN.
What is your project/research about? What would you like to find out?
My project aims to analyze the impact of weight loss on gut-microbiome, brain microstructure and cognition in middle-aged subjects. A cohort of 200 subjects at both gender aged >65-80 years from the general population (100 men, 100 women) will be evaluated.
Different domains of cognition will be explored: attention, memory and executive function, in association with metabolic variables and MRI scans with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Gut barrier function and inflammatory brain markers (LBP) will be analysed on plasma samples by ELISA. Blood samples will be collected to measure various markers of microbial translocation/gut barrier function (LBP), inflammation (progranulin, CRP, IL-6) and to process for metabolomics.
The effects of weight changes will be scrutinized before and one year after an interventional approach aiming to lose weight (bariatric surgery). Weight loss is expected to impact on cognitive improvement, the gut-microbiome, barrier function and inflammaging even at older age.
Why did you apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN and especially this project?
Since when I discovered the topic of gut microbiota and gut-brain axis during my master I have been fascinated about how this “organ” can be easily influenced by the food we eat and as well can deeply influence our feelings, our cognitive functions and finally our health, being involved in the development of pathologies. Unfortunately at that time I could not find a way to start working in this research area, anyway I had the chance to make experiences in different fields and to confirm my deep passion for science and research, always keeping in my mind the desire to improve my knowledge on gut-brain axis. Moreover during my master I lost the chance to do my thesis with the Erasmus+ traineeship program because of COVID-19 and so when I decided to do a PhD I was sure that this time I would have search for a European project that focused on gut-brain axis and gave me the opportunity both to learn lots of new techniques and to travel and discover new cultures.
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN is the top European program so when I found the call for this project it was like a dream come true. This experience will give a boost to my career and will give me the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally and now I can not wait to start working on it.
What is so fascinating for you on research in general?
For me doing research means get light on new mechanism, it means to have a strong desire to know the unknown, moreover it means help the world to find new solutions to improve human health and life quality and I find these purposes extremely fascinating and valuables.
What do you do in your free time? Do you have special interests/hobbies?
I like cinema, when it is raining I love watching movies and series, especially sci-fi or action genres. I have been practicing muay thai since the high school. During the weekend I like to go out for a dinner or a drink with friends and when I can I like to travel and make new experiences.
What are your plans for your future? Where/what you will be in 5 years?
After completing my PhD I would like to work in a company whose aim is to generate new solutions to improve human health and life quality.