Universitą degli studi di Pavia
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Piccolini research activity
1) Studies in vivo on the Central Nervous System (CNS) and adult neurogenesis
Researches in the field of Neurobiology concern the study of molecular events in the context of tissue morphology (cytoarchitecture) of some areas of Central Nervous System (CNS) to evaluate changes of neuronal differentiation, remodelling and reorganization following experimental treatment. The neurogenesis process is also studied by means of the binomial cell proliferation/cell death in relation to the general changes of the metabolism in amphibians and mammals comparing the activity and hibernation phases of the annual cycle.
- Damage and remodelling of the neuroarchitecture after treatment with platinum compounds in the rat. Events (cell proliferation and death, cell migration, cell differentiation) of the CNS development and neurogenesis processes are analysed by means of immunocytochemical reactions in the rat cerebellum and hippocampus, in physiological condition and after treatment with platinum compounds such as the chemotherapeutic cisplatin (with target on DNA) and new platinum compounds (with different target from DNA). In particular, we study the role of neurotransmitters as morphogens of CNS development and neuronal function.
- Genesis of malformations of cerebellar fissures
It has been demonstrated that glia fibres have a role in the foliation process of developing cerebellum, since they represent the mechanical forces in the migration of granular cells and are therefore responsible of the altered cytoarchitecture of cerebellum fissures. We are now studying the alterations of neurotransmitter systems to obtain information on the cerebellar activity in this particular anomaly.
2) Studies in vitro on cultured neural cells
The neurotoxicity and drug-resistance induced by the chemotherapeutic cisplatin and other new platinum compounds are studied on rat and human neuroblastoma cell cultures. In particular, by means of immunocytochemistry, flow-cytometry, molecular techniques and electron microscopy, the cytokinetics and apoptogenic effects will be evaluated; attention will be focused on cell organules and components.
Researches in the field of Neurobiology concern the study of molecular events in the context of tissue morphology (cytoarchitecture) of some areas of Central Nervous System (CNS) to evaluate changes of neuronal differentiation, remodelling and reorganization following experimental treatment. The neurogenesis process is also studied by means of the binomial cell proliferation/cell death in relation to the general changes of the metabolism in amphibians and mammals comparing the activity and hibernation phases of the annual cycle.
- Damage and remodelling of the neuroarchitecture after treatment with platinum compounds in the rat. Events (cell proliferation and death, cell migration, cell differentiation) of the CNS development and neurogenesis processes are analysed by means of immunocytochemical reactions in the rat cerebellum and hippocampus, in physiological condition and after treatment with platinum compounds such as the chemotherapeutic cisplatin (with target on DNA) and new platinum compounds (with different target from DNA). In particular, we study the role of neurotransmitters as morphogens of CNS development and neuronal function.
- Genesis of malformations of cerebellar fissures
It has been demonstrated that glia fibres have a role in the foliation process of developing cerebellum, since they represent the mechanical forces in the migration of granular cells and are therefore responsible of the altered cytoarchitecture of cerebellum fissures. We are now studying the alterations of neurotransmitter systems to obtain information on the cerebellar activity in this particular anomaly.
2) Studies in vitro on cultured neural cells
The neurotoxicity and drug-resistance induced by the chemotherapeutic cisplatin and other new platinum compounds are studied on rat and human neuroblastoma cell cultures. In particular, by means of immunocytochemistry, flow-cytometry, molecular techniques and electron microscopy, the cytokinetics and apoptogenic effects will be evaluated; attention will be focused on cell organules and components.
