Ferdinando Di Cunto

Born in Forchia (BN), Italy on 20-12-1969
1988. Classic highschool degree, obtained at the Liceo Classico Pietro Giannone, Benevento (BN), with the score of 60/60
1990: visiting student, Department of Pediatrcs, Children's Hospital, Pittsburg, Pennsilvanya, USA.
1991 and 1992: visiting student, Department of Pathology, Yale University, Connecticut, USA.
1993: visiting student, Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
1994: Degree in Medicine e Surgery, Medical School of the University of Torino with the score of 110/110 and honor.
1994/1996: Resident, Department of Neurosciences, University of Torino.
1996/1997: research fellow, Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
1999 Researcher, Department of Genetics, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Torino.
2001: Ph.D. in "human biology, molecular and cellular basis ", Department of Genetics, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Torino.
2005: Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Torino.
Since 2011: Full Professor of Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino.

Research interests
Our research activity is focused on the mechanisms that regulate the proliferation, survival and differentiation of neuronal progenitors during the development of the central nervous system, with particular regard to the phenomena that involve the dynamic remodeling of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton. In particular, we aim at understanding how the abnormal functioning of these processes is related to many human genetic disorders, including primary microcephaly, Down syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy, Rett syndrome.

We also aim at defining how inhibition of genes essential for proliferation of neuronal progenitors, such as Citron kinase, can be exploited as a possible therapeutic strategy for treating aggressive pediatric malignancies of the CNS, such as medulloblastoma.

To address our projects, we integrate advanced experimental and computational strategies, including the development and analysis of in vivo disease models, live cell imaging and bioinformatics.