MARCO BISAGLIA, PhD

EDUCATION
2013 – Visiting scientist – Drosophila genetics – Department of Biomedical Science – University of Sheffield – United Kingdom. Supervisor: Dr. Alex Whitworth.
2007 – Visiting scientist – Cell biology – National Institute on Aging (NIA/NIH) – USA. Supervisor: Dr. Mark Cookson.
2002 - PhD in Structural Biology – Ecole Polytechnique – France. Supervisor: Dr. François Bontems.
1999 Master Degree in Chemistry – Department of Chemistry – University of Padova - Italy. Supervisor: Prof. Stefano Mammi.
1998 – Erasmus Internship – Chemistry – University of Versailles – France. Supervisor: Dr. Dominique Vichard.

SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
Marco Bisaglia is a molecular physiologist with expertise in biophysics, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology. His main research activity is focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in sporadic and genetic forms of Parkinson’s diseases (PD), with particular attention on the interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Specifically, one of the main interests regards the analysis of the reactivity of the oxidation products of dopamine towards different targets, including mitochondria and PD-related proteins, to understand whether and how such reactivity could be involved in the preferential degeneration of dopaminergic neurons observed in PD. Another primary scientific topic concerns the study of the proteins PINK1, Parkin and DJ-1, which are responsible for autosomal recessive forms of PD. Interestingly, the major common functional effects of all three genes relate to mitochondrial function and oxidative damage, suggesting a common pathway for recessive parkinsonism. A better understanding of the cellular redox alterations associated to PD is essential for the definition of a valuable therapeutic strategy. In this frame, a further aim of his research is focused on the evaluation of the role of superoxide dismutating molecules in preventing neuronal degeneration.

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