Giovanna is part of a team of scientists studying the regeneration and remyelination of peripheral nerves after injury. Their goal is to develop effective strategies to enhance nerve regeneration and functional recovery.
Before joining the Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, she researched the role of various isoforms of the tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB4 in neuronal migration. During her doctoral studies, she cloned and characterized the human proto-oncogene MET promoter and contributed to a project developing a gene trap vector system to identify transcriptionally responsive genes.
Her early research focused on transcriptional regulation and gene expression analysis. Giovanna earned an honors degree in Biology and a Ph.D. in Cellular Sciences and Technologies from the University of Torino.
Research focus
A primary research focus is the role of neuregulin1 (NRG1) isoforms in peripheral nerve regeneration. We analyzed the expression of NRG1 isoforms and receptors in peripheral nerves after injuries of varying severity and in a demyelinating neuropathy.
Our findings indicate that after acute injury, the transmembrane axonal NRG1 undergoes posttranslational modifications. Soluble NRG1, produced by Schwann cells and nerve fibroblasts, is temporarily upregulated after injury and chronically elevated in demyelinating neuropathy. Deep sequencing analysis identified genes regulated by soluble NRG1 in Schwann cells.
More recently, we studied the role of cell populations in tubular conduits used for bridging large nerve gaps and the influence of gut microbiota on peripheral nerve development. Future research will address whether delayed nerve repair affects regeneration within a conduit and if gut microbiota dysbiosis impacts peripheral nerve regeneration.
