mattia vitale

Research of molecular alterations involved in the proliferation and progression of skeletal muscle sarcomas in which I wrote my Master’s Thesis named “Prognostic Role of miR-133b and miR-494 in Synovial Sarcoma: effects of modulation of CXCR4 target and potential therapeutic strategies” Supervisor: Prof.ssa Giovanna Cenacchi (professor of Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna) and Co-Supervisor: Dott.ssa Maria Serena Benassi (biologist of Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute). I studied the role of two miRNAs in an oncologic disease called Synovial Sarcoma. Therefore, by means of different databases (i.e. miRBase and others) and by literature data, we identified two miRNA regulators of CXCR4 called miR-133b and miR-494. Our goal was to understand whether and how these miRNAs could affect the initiation and promotion stages of this cancer. My mainly responsibilities as laboratory intern were the daily maintenance of several cell lines both human and commercial. I actively participated in the planning of experiments as well as the evaluation of the results.

Study of the main functions performed by microvesicles called exosomes as part of the pathogenesis and progression of multiple myeloma in which I wrote my Bachelor’s Thesis named “The exosomes released by multiple myeloma cells regulate the function and differentiation of osteoclasts”, Supervisor: Dott. Riccardo Alessandro (professor of University of Palermo) and Co-Supervisor: Dott.ssa Lavinia Raimondi (biologist of Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute). During the time spent working for this we developed many experiment on multiple myeloma cells. We developed a protocol to isolate exosomes from MM cells and, after characterization via western blot studies and physics studies (DLS assy) we tried to understand the role of these cellderived exosomes on the differentiation of murine pre-osteoclasts.