Mitochondrial dysfunctions in neurodegeneration
Francesca Maltecca
Email: maltecca.francesca@hsr.it
Location: DIBIT1 3A2, 44A (lab) and 46 (office)
Group leader, Mitochondrial dysfunctions in neurodegeneration Unit
Francesca Maltecca has a background in human genetics, with specific training and competence in inherited cerebellar ataxias, and also a solid experience in cerebellar physiology and pathology. Indeed, her past and present research work includes the dissection of molecular mechanisms of inherited cerebellar ataxias with primary or secondary mitochondrial origin, but also of other neurodegenerative diseases (dominant optic atrophy, multiple sclerosis). In particular, she has published some seminal works on the pathogenesis of SCA28, SPAX5 and ARSACS. She is member of the Ataxia Global Initiative, where she co-coordinates the working group dedicated to preclinical trials in mouse models of ataxia. She is also part of an international research consortium studying drug development in recessive ataxias (Treat-ARCA), funded by the European Joint Program for Rare Diseases. She has been awarded twice with the Young Investigator Award for the Spinocerebellar Ataxia Research, from National Ataxia Foundation, US. Her expertise involves human genetics, cell biology, neurobiology and mouse model phenotyping.
2008: PhD in Molecular Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
2003: Degree in Biotechnology (summa cum laude), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
2021-now: Group leader, Division of Neuroscience, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
2019-2021: Project leader, Division of Neuroscience, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
2014-2018: Assistant Professor in Medical Genetics, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
2008-2013: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Neurogenomics Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. Mentor: prof. G.Casari.
2011: Visiting scientist, Unit of Mitochondria in Cell signaling, Università di Padova, Italy. Supervisor: prof. R. Rizzuto.
2007-2008: Visiting scientist, Research Unit for Molecular Medicine, University Hospital Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark. Supervisor: prof. P. Bross.
2004-2008: PhD student in Molecular Medicine (Program Neuroscience), Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. Mentor: prof. G. Casari.
2003-2004: Pre-doctoral fellow, Research Unit for Molecular Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy. Mentor: prof. M.L. Lavitrano.
2021-now: Member of the Ataxia Global Initiative (AGI). https://ataxia-global-initiative.net/
2020-now: Co-coordinator of the international AGI working group “Model systems & Preclinical Trial https://ataxia-global-initiative.net/
2015: Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), "Ceftriaxone for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia" EMA/COMP/785809/2014, sponsor: Ospedale San Raffaele s.r.l. Milan, Italy.
2013: Young Investigator Award for the SCAs Research, from National Ataxia Foundation, Minneapolis (USA).
2012: Young Investigator Award for the SCAs Research, from National Ataxia Foundation, Minneapolis (USA).
2009: Keystone Symposia Scholarship, meeting “Mitochondrial Dynamics and Physiology”, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.