Education and Experiences

Academic achievements
2010 Studying the cell biology process regulated by cholera toxin on the proliferation properties of neural stem cells. Working on new screening techniques using neural stem cell cultures with Cedrus Therapeutics and relevant intellectual property with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in the USA.
2008-2009 Staff Scientist at NINDS/NIH. Discovered a new widespread multipotent neural precursor in the adult brain. Novel treatments to pharmacologically target it lead to the protection of injured dopamine neurons and motor behavioral recovery. The work has resulted, among others, in publications in PNAS and PLoS ONE, and employee invention report.
2002-2008 Research Fellow at NINDS/NIH. Discovered novel biochemical properties of somatic and embryonic stem cells and new methods to activate them in culture and in vivo, and to subsequently promote the survival of injured neurons. The work has resulted, among others, in a publication in Nature, a publication at the Cold Spring Harbor Symposium for Quantitative Biology, and two patent applications through NIH.
1999-2002 Postdoctorate Fellow at the Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, focused on elucidating structural and functional properties of cell membrane transporters of neurotransmitters, including the serotonin transporter (the target of many psychoactive drugs and anti-depressants). Characterized the first bacterial homologue of this transporter, which paved the way for crystallographic analyses of this class of molecules. (Three first author papers published and two co-authorships).
1997-1999 Compulsory National Service, Greece [No research performed during this period].
1993-1997 PhD student at Imperial College, University of London, UK. Studied the uptake and release of neurotransmitters and neurotrophins from nerve terminals. Determined that the neurotrophin BDNF can be released with kinetics similar to those of classical neurotransmitters, from isolated nerve terminals.
1993 Summer research in marine biology, University of the Aegean, Greece.
1990-1993 BsC, Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, University of London, U.K.
1990 School Diploma, Athens College, Athens, Greece.

Teaching/Mentoring Experience
2006-2008 Collaborations and advisory roles on stem cell and cancer projects at NIH.
2002-Present Supervised multiple summer students, post-bachaloreate (“post-bach”) students, and postdoctorate fellows while a Research Fellow at NINDS/NIH.
1999-2002 Supervised multiple summer students while a postdoctorate fellow at Yale University.
1993-1997 Tutored and graded multiple undergraduate students at Imperial College (University of London) as part of their official curriculum. Also, demonstrated laboratory techniques and supervised students during their laboratory coursework at Imperial College.

Professional Services/Committees
Referee for peer-review scientific journals (Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Biological Chemistry, PLoS ONE, Brain Research, Neuroscience, Acta Biomaterialia).
Referee for the Wellcome Trust.

Publications

Research Projects

Awards

2007: Awarded an NIH merit award for research achievements.
1999-2002: Awarded Brown-Coxe Postdoctorate Fellowship.
1994-1997: Imperial College financial award for PhD studies.

Scientific Collaborations

Group Members

Nicoletta Paolillo n.paolillo@ebri.it

From 2007-2011: IRCSS C. Mondino, Pavia  (Italy)
Laboratory of Pharmacology (University of Rome Tor Vergata)
Researcher
Molecular biology analysis  in the following projects:
•    Role of protein RTN-1C in Alzheimer Disease: from pathogenetic mechanism to therapeutic perspectives. (2011)
•    Genetic Tests and predictive biomarkers for severe dermatological reactions in vitro and in vivo  models (2007-2010) 
From 2006-2011: UNIROMA2  (University of Rome Tor Vergata)
Laboratory of  Medical Genetic
Researcher
Molecular biology analysis  in the following projects:
•    Pharmacogenetic study on the  warfarin hyper-sensitive patients.(2009-2011)
•    Genetic Tests and predictive biomarkers for severe dermatological reactions in vitro and in vivo models (2007-2009)
•    Genetic study of  psoriasis and atopic dermatitis susceptibility.(2006-2007)
Consultancy in the following project:
•    European project EU-FP7, BIO-NMD: Identifyng and validating  pre-clinical biomarkers for diagnostic and  therapeutic of Neuromuscular Disorders. (2009-2011)
Maintenance of human cell culture , DNA, RNA and protein extraction from human cells and tissues, nucleic acid amplification and expression profiling by PCR and q RealtimePCR, molecular cloning, western blot, dot blot, DNA genotyping and sequencing.
From Feb-2007 to Oct 2008:    University of Rome” Tor Vergata”, – Italy
    European regulatory and scientific criteria for the assessment of medicinal products in their life-cycle, from discovery and     development through submission for Marketing Authorization and post-approval activities( innovative development approaches,     variations, extensions, pharmacovigilance)
    Post-graduate fellowship at the “Master in Scientific and Regulatory Assessment of New Medicines”.
Sep 1996 to Jul 2002:    Faculty of Science, University of Naples “Federico II”’, Naples,(NA) Italy
     Chemistry, Physiology, Anatomy, Pathology, Botanic, Zoology, Genetic, Molecular Biology.
    egree in Biology, Title of final dissertation: Characterization of a microbial biofilm, adhering to particles of pumice     stone , and containing degradative capacity against the toluene”.

PUBLICATION 
 - Giardina E. Paolillo N. Sinibaldi C. Novelli G.
R501X and 2282del4 filaggrin mutations do not confer susceptibility to psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in Italian patients. Dermatology. 2008;216(1):83-4.
- Nisticò S., Paolillo N., Minella D., Piccirilli S., Giardina E., Biancolella M. Chimenti S., Novelli G., Nisticò G.: Effects of TNF-α and IL-1β on the activation of genes related to inflammatory, immune responses and cell death in immortalized human keratinocytes HaCat.; International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology 2010 Oct-Dec;23(4):1057-72
- Ciccacci C., Falconi M., Paolillo N., Oteri F.,ForteV., Novelli G., Desideri A., Borgiani P.
Characterization of a novel CYP2C9 gene mutation and structural bioinformatic protein analysis in a warfarin hyper-sensitive patient" Pharmacogenetics and Genomics. 2011 Mar 28
- C Ciccacci, N Paolillo, D Di Fusco, G Novelli and  P Borgiani.
EPHX1 polymorphisms are not associated with warfarin response in an Italian population.Clinical  Pharmacology & Therapeutics ;  (approved,; Jan 2011)
- Piccirilli S. Paolillo N. and Nisticò G. (2010).  Physiological and Pathophisiological role of nitric oxide in the brain. in: Nistico G. et al..  Forthy years in Advances in Pharmacology. Edizioni Exorma, p. 117-134
- Nisticò G.  Paolillo N., Rispoli V. and Nappi G. (2010). The role of locus coeruleus in sleep-arousal mechanisms. in: Nistico G. et al., Forthy years in Advances in Pharmacology. Edizioni Exorma, p.166-225
- Nisticò G. Piccirilli S., Paolillo N. and Calissano P. (2010).  The role of nerve growth factor in CNS.  in: Nistico G. et al.,  Forthy years in Advances in Pharmacology. Edizioni Exorma, p.299-341.