Roberta Schellino

Born in Cuneo (CN) on February 11 ^th 1985. Italian.

2022- present. Assistant Professor in tenure track (RTD-B) in Human Anatomy (BIO/16) at NICO, Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin.

2015-2022. Postdoctoral Fellow at the Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi and the Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”; University of Torino;

2015- present. Research Associate at the Neuroscience Institute CavalieriOttolenghi (NICO), University of Torino;

2014. Ph.D. in Neuroscience (XXV cycle), University of Torino;

2009. Master Degree in Neurobiology, University of Torino;

2007. Bachelor Degree in Biology, University of Torino.

Academic Years 2016-2017; 2017-2018; 2018-2019; 2019-2020; 2020-2021; 2021-2022: Adjunct Professor of “Neuroanatomy and Neurodevelopment” Course (BIO/16; 48 hours), Master Degree in  Biomedical Sciences (LM/6), address “Neuroscience,” Universitàdegli Studi dell’Insubria, Italy.

Academic Years 2019-2024. Contract for complementary teaching activities. Discipline: Human Anatomy (BIO/16, 16 hours). Integrated course in human morphological sciences and physiology. Master Course in Dental Hygiene, University of Eastern Piedmont “Amedeo Avogadro” (UniUPO).

Research Interest
During my PhD, my study was focused on functional implications of interneuronal turn-over and on those activity-dependent mechanisms able to regulate integration and positive selections of endogenous stem cells and new neurons. Moreover, I focused the attention on molecular factors guiding cell proliferation, migration and maturation in the neurogenic niches. 

Now, I am interested in mechanisms underpinning neurodegeneration in different neurodegenerative diseases. I focused the attention on the integration and differentiation of human telencephalic progenitor cells into striatal neurons, after grafting in a model of Huntington’s disease, in order to have a more detailed assessment of circuit formation and integration of transplanted cells/ new cells into the host brain.
Moreover, I am interested in studying the molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disease (in cortex and spinal cord) and physiologically during aging. Unravelling these mechanisms will lead to finding new therapeutic targets to counteract brain diseases and to promote an healthy and active ageing.

Referee for international scientific journals:
Frontiers in Neuroscience, Brain Sciences, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal of Clinical Medicine, Journal of Developmental Biology

Scientific Societies and Membership in research networks:
Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Neuromorfologia (G.I.S.N.); Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale (SIBS); Società Italiana di Anatomia ed Istologia (S.I.A.I.);International society of Neurochemistry (I.S.N.)

Scientific collaborations:
Prof. Annalisa Buffo (Dip. Neuroscienze, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Università di Torino); Prof. Elena Cattaneo (Lab.di Biologia delle Cellule Staminali e farmacologia delle malattie neurodegenerative; Dip. Bioscienze, Università di Milano); Prof. Tiziana Borsello (Dip. Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, IRCCS Mario Negri, Università di Milano); Prof. Rosa Maria Moresco (Dip. Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Milano); Prof. Paolo Marcello Peretto (Dip. Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Università di Torino); Prof. Silvia De Marchis (Dip. Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Università di Torino); Prof. Jeroen Pasterkamp (Dep. of TranslationalNeuroscience; UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands); Prof. Paolo Giacobini (French Institute of Health and MedicalResearch _ Inserm. Lille, France); Prof. Ruggero Fariello (MD; PharmafoxTherapeutics); Dott. Jan Willem Vrijbloed (PharmafoxTherapeutics).