Mercoledì 7 Febbraio 2024, ore 13 Edificio Asclepio U8-Aula 1
Host: Prof Francesco Mantegazza
♦ Webex per collegamento remoto
During the talk I will present our study linking chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells cytoskeleton to their mechanical properties. When comparing stiffness of healthy B-cells and leukemia B-cells by atomic force microscopy, the latter were found to besofter due to changes in the cytoskeleton, however mechanical properties were altered following the addition of BTK inhibitors. In parallel, I will highlight the necessity of developing new in vitro models, with a greater degree of complexity, for studying the tumor microenvironment. In particular 3D culture models which will mimic both the settings of the tissue and the peripheral blood allowing to study CLL cells mechanobiology and the mechanisms of action of novel therapies in an appropriate context.
Cristina Scielzo
Cristina received her doctor degree in Medical Biotechnology at Università Vita- Salute San Raffaele, in the Lab of Prof Caligaris-Cappio and Prof Paolo Ghia. During her PhD (Università degli studi di Milano) she experienced proficient visits to competitive labs at Harvard-Boston and Madrid, where she learned several new techniques, primarily for live cell imaging, and established long-term international collaborations. During the past 15 years she focused her research interests on the interplay between leukemic cells and the microenvironment. Since 2020, she is Group Leader of the Malignant B cells biology and 3D modeling Unit in the Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Hospital San Raffaele Milan. Her team is studying the tumor cell/microenvironment interactions in CLL by linking cytoskeletal activities and mechanical properties. In parallel, they are developing new advanced 3D in vitro co-culture systems by prototyping a bench-top 3D bio-printer and dynamic growth in bioreactors.