Elia Di Schiavi, CNR, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, IBBR - Naples

Tuesday, 20th November – h 2:00 p.m.
Seminars Room, NICO

Elia Di Schiavi, PhD
Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, IBBR
Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Science - CNR
Naples

Identification of neuroprotective molecules using a C. elegans model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, leading to muscles atrophy, paralysis and patients death.
SMA is one of the most common genetic causes of infant mortality and is caused by disruption of Smn1. The mechanisms underlying motor neuron death are still elusive.

We propose the use of C.elegans as a model system to rapidly identify new genetic partners and complementary therapies.
The use of C.elegans provides a powerful and low cost system to directly assess the consequences of rescuing Smn1 loss at the organismal level, with many experimental advantages to rapidly devise effective drug discovery in a whole-animal and the unique feature to allow visualization of neurons in living animals.

Host: Alessandro Vercelli