Curriculum: Biomedical

Supervisor: Tiziana Cabras

Co-Supervisor: Barbara Manconi

Curriculum Vitae

Single-Cycle Master's Degree in Pharmacy (Degree Class: LM-13) at the University of Cagliari (16/08/2018 – 26/10/2023), awarded with final grade: 110/110 cum laude.

PhD student (Cycle XL – PhD Program in Life, Environmental and Drug Sciences) under the supervision of Prof. Tiziana Cabras and Prof. Barbara Manconi, working on a project focused on the study of the proteome and peptidome of biofluids (such as plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and saliva) for the characterization of potential disease biomarkers and bioactive peptides.

Postgraduate research (Erasmus+) – Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (08/01/2024 – 08/04/2024): Validation of the KIF1A target through immunodetection techniques (Western blotting, immunostaining) on SPPL2b knockout and wild-type mouse tissues, as well as on neuronal cultures.

Master’s research thesis at the Proteomics Laboratory of the University of Cagliari, Department of Life, Environmental and Drug Sciences (06/2022 – 09/2023): Shotgun proteomic analysis of mouse brain tissues (hippocampus and cortex) from SPPL2b-KO and WT mice using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Functional, statistical, and qualitative data analysis using Cytoscape, ClueGO, Proteome Discoverer, and Perseus software.

Research Topic

Characterization of the Human Biofluid Proteome to Identify Disease-Specific Biomarkers and Bioactive Peptides in Neuro- and Autoinflammatory Conditions

Abstract

Alessandra Schirru's PhD project addresses the urgent need to identify specific biomarkers for the early diagnosis of neuroinflammatory and autoinflammatory diseases, utilizing less invasive biofluids. The main objective is the characterization of the proteome of various human biofluids to identify potential protein biomarkers.

The research focuses on conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Atopic Dermatitis (AD), and Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). Samples of saliva, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) will be analyzed, with a particular emphasis on saliva due to its easy accessibility and non-invasiveness. The methodology employs an integrated top-down and shot-gun approach based on mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS), which are highly sensitive and selective techniques.

This will allow for a detailed characterization of proteins, including the detection of isoforms and post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as oxidized forms (e.g., nitrosylated and glutathionylated), which are crucial in neurodegenerative pathologies. Samples will be compared between patient and control groups, with statistical analyses to identify significant differences. Expected outcomes include an improved understanding of disease pathogenesis and the identification of new therapeutic targets, facilitating the development of more accessible and specific diagnostic tests.

Publications

IRIS: https://iris.unica.it/cris/rp/rp105813

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0261-4473

Conference Contributions

Contini C., Lai G., Schirru A., Badman J., Nilsson P., Cabras T., Tambaro S. Proteomic characterization of SPPL2b-deficient mice reveals up-regulation of the synaptic transporter Kinesin-like protein KIF1A accompanied by increased locomotor activity. Abstract AP/DP 2024 – Advances in Sciences and Therapy, Lisbona, 5–9 March 2024.