Two publications from Cejka’s laboratory describe how cells repair broken DNA
on February 26, 2019 DNA bears all genetic information required for proper development and function of all living organisms. DNA molecule is however prone to breakage, threatening cell survival. Incorrect DNA break repair leads to mutations, which may drive tumorigenesis. In order to repair broken DNA without errors, cell utilize genetic information stored in the […]
New study by the Monticelli’s lab on epigenetic modifications in human T cells
on February 12, 2019 This study, performed primarily by Lucia Vincenzetti, was recently published in the European Journal of Immunology. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation are crucial to the appropriate regulation of gene expression in T lymphocytes, ultimately influencing all aspects of T cell biology. This study determined the dynamics of modifications of cytosines […]
Pfizer Foundation Research Prize 2019 – accolades for researchers in Ticino
on February 7, 2019 This evening, at a ceremony held in Zurich, the Pfizer Foundation awarded two prizes to research groups at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) and at the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), both affiliated to Università della Svizzera italiana (USI Faculty of Biomedical Sciences). Dr. Greta Guarda and Dr. Sonia […]
Ebola: Promising Early-Stage Safety Clinical Trial Results For Potential Treatment Based On Antibodies Isolated In Tessin
on January 25, 2019 A Phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety of an antibody to use against Ebola outbreak has been successfully concluded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland (U.S.A.). The treatment is based on the monoclonal antibody mAb114, which was isolated and characterized in Switzerland at […]
New Study from the Grassi’s lab on the discovery of a checkpoint regulator of pathogenic T lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus
on January 23, 2019 Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect different organs, including kidney, skin, heart, lung and nervous system. The mechanisms triggering the pathology are unknown, but the progression of the disease depends on the loss of immune system tolerance and generation of antibodies against self-antigens (autoantibodies). The emergence […]
A new generation of oral vaccines by inhibiting microbiota-derived ATP in the intestine
on January 16, 2019 Enteric infections affect up to 1 billion people leading to 2 million deaths per year worldwide. No effective vaccines exist against major enteric pathogens, including enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Shigella, Campylobacter and Clostridium difficile. The intestine is an entry point for a multitude of foreign antigens in the form of food. […]
New publication by Molinari’s lab uncovering procollagen quality control by selective ER-phagy
on January 15, 2019 Maurizio Molinari’s research group, with the groups of Carmine Settembre at the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine in Pozzuoli (IT) and of Ivan Dikic at the Goethe University in Frankfurt (DE), published a new work in the EMBO Journal. The study highlights the mechanisms ensuring production of collagen by our […]
Ilaria Fregno awarded PhD
on January 10, 2019 Ilaria Fregno successfully defended her PhD thesis, which was presented at the ETH of Zurich (Switzerland) on November 8th, 2018. In her thesis entitled “Anabolic and catabolic control of endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis” Ilaria characterized the anabolic and catabolic programs activated by mammalian cells to maintain ER homeostasis and function. The work […]
Lucia Vincenzetti awarded PhD
on January 7, 2019 Lucia Vincenzetti successfully defended her PhD thesis, which was presented at the University of Lausanne on December 19th, 2018. Her thesis title was “DNA methylation dynamics in the functional regulation of human T lymphocytes” and the work has been done in the Molecular Immunology lab group head by Dr. Silvia Monticelli at the Institute for […]
Corinne De Gregorio awarded PhD
on November 29, 2018 Corinne De Gregorio successfully defended her PhD thesis, which was presented at the ETH Zurich on July 12th, 2018. Her thesis title was “Class and specificity of T cells against fungal pathogens in normal and pathological conditions” and the work has been done in the Cellular Immunology group head by Prof. […]
