Trialect

Active

Neurophysiology-Nanotechnology, Biocompatibility, and Neurosciences

Physiology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Milano, Italy
(5/5) - 1 reviews

University of Milano Bicocca

Main Areas of Interest

Physiology

Workplace: Physiology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Milano, Italy.

The main research areas of our group are:

Assessment of biocompatibility, uptake, intracellular trafficking and impact of "engineered nanoparticles" (NP) in cells and tissues
In vivo studies to identify new markers of exposure of inhaled particulate matter (PM) and air pollutants
In vivo NP bio-distribution and pharmacokinetics studies
Electophysiological measurements of transmembrane voltage-gated currents and postsynaptic potentials (Patch Clamp, field potentials - in vitro brain slices)
Functional alterations of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) related CNS diseases and related to the ischemic and hypoxic events
Respiratory physiology studies
NPs biodistribution and fate, assessment of pulmonary and systemic response to inhaled particulate matter (PM) and air pollution exposure

The research group is currently engaged in scientific collaborative research projects for studying the targeting properties and the biocompatibility of new developed nanotechnology-based systems for joint diagnosis and therapy in nanomedicine as well as investigating the role of the NVU dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Various environmental factors, together with the individual genetic predispositions, confer an increased risk for neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as neurodegenerative diseases that include autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and Alzheimer's disease, across life. These environmental challenges can compromise NVU and microglial physiological functions, resulting notably in defective neuronal circuit wiring, altered brain functional connectivity, and the onset of behavioral deficits into adolescence, adulthood, and aging.

Techniques You Will Learn

Experimental platforms/techniques you will learn during your program here:

Platforms for in vitro studies

In vitro brain slices
Electrophysiology (patch clamp, sharp electrodes and field potentials recording in brain slices and cell cultures)
Calcium Imaging (FURA 2 AM), in brain slices and cell cultures
Wide field time lapse video-microscopy (MetaMorph and MetaFluor)
Primary neuronal and glial cell cultures
In vitro human and mouse Blood Brain Barrier models
Transport and permeability studies

In vitro assays

Cell culture establishment and maintenance
Cell viability/toxicity assays
Cell migration, Transwell co-cultures
Main molecular biology techniques (DNA, RNA and protein extracts; immunoblotting to study molecular pathways)

Platforms for in vivo studies

Certified animal housing facility
In vivo pharmacokinetic and bio distribution studies
In vivo inhalation studies: intratracheal aerosolization and nasal instillation
InExpose system for inhalation studies

In vivo assays

Respiratory physiology (pletismography)
EEG recording

Platform for morpho-functional studies

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (Zeiss LSM7 – Airy)
Wide field Video-time lapse microscopy – Calcium Imaging

Immunohistochemistry, immunolabelling, immunofluorescence

Curriculum

6-8 weeks curriculum

The trainee will be provided with the opportunity of learning the basis of physiology research in the field of neuroscience, having experiences of facing with basic researchers in an interdisciplinary and translational research environment
The trainee will be provided with the unique opportunity of experiencing the laboratory practice and to operate trainings on electrophysiology, calcium imaging, in vitro BBB models, bio distribution and inhalation studies.
The trainee may also have the opportunity of collaborating on research projects, depending on the ongoing activities at the time of the Trainee’s visit
The trainee will be provided with the opportunity of participating to meetings, journal clubs,seminars, including those of the PhD in Neuroscience and Virgilio Program at Physiology Unit and
UNIMIB
Please visit the websites below for more informations:
https://virgilioprogram.unimib.it/
https://polaris.unimib.it/?lang=en
http://www.neuroscienze.medicina.unimib.it/?lang=en

Accommodation

Residence Luna

website (Italian; possible online reservation): https://www.residencelunadimonza.it/
website (English; possible online reservation): https://www.onlinereservations.com/?hotelid=1473933&gclid=CjwKCAjw4qCKBhAVEiwAkTYsPIcTkPVKr1mNoe377rtedHOawqpOe1HUI1YK6Sc_Y2FWbry-Mq8ESxoCGUkQAvD_BwE

Helios Hotel

website (Italian; possible online reservation): https://heliosmonza.com/it/
website (English; possible online reservation): https://heliosmonza.com/en/

Residenze Universitarie Bicocca

website (Italian; possible online reservation): https://bicocca.residenzesodexo.it/
website (English; possible online reservation): https://en.unimib.it/services/bicoccacampus/accommodation

Campus in-domus

website (Italian; possible online reservation): https://www.indomus.it/
website (English; possible online reservation): https://www.indomus.it/en/

Fees and Program Logistics

This program has the following durations available:

Duration	Fee
2 weeks	$875.00
6 weeks	$1,500.00
12 weeks	$2,750.00

This program allows Merit Applications. If you successfully are awarded a merit application - Trialect will take care of all bench and service fees, but you will have to take care of travel and accommodation. All applications will be scrutinized under the merit category. Considering 50 million health professionals around the world, the chances of getting selected under the merit category would be very low.

Who Can Apply

All are eligible

Host Details

Host Name: Prof. Giulio Alfredo Sancini

Affiliation: Physiology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Milano, Italy

Address: Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo; 1, 20126 Milano MI; Italy

Website URL: https://en.unimib.it/

Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.

Onsite/On-Campus Program

Fellowship - Basic/Translational/Clinical Research Program

Italy

Application Review Deadline:

Oct 1st, 2024

Apply Now

Reviews

Lucas Tortorelli 2 years ago

(5/5)

Professor Sancini is great and loves teaching about his expertise. His lab has a positive and vibrant environment. My experience during the traineeship in neurophysiology at Giulio Sancini’s Lab was wonderful. UNIMIB is a great environment in the beautiful Monza. I was able to improve my knowledge on patch clamp and calcium imaging techniques. Together, we also developed new approaches to study different structures in the brain. I’ve learned a lot and also shared some of my experiences. Professor Sancini is great and loves teaching about his expertise. His lab has a positive and vibrant environment.