The role of ROS during oogenesis.
The aim of my project is the dissection of the putative physiological function of ROS during oogenesis, and precisely the investigation of the critical stages of oocyte growth and maturation.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have always been regarded as wrongdoers, known for causing oxidative damage to macromolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. However, recent studies have uncovered the importance of ROS in many physiological processes like blood pressure regulation, cognitive function, muscle contraction and of course regulation of the redox state. It is also emerging that ROS have a precise function during animal development, but little is known on the specific physiological function of ROS in mammalian oogenesis as well as in the developing embryo creating also questions regarding the specific contribution of the maternal ovarian compartment in their regulation. In this PhD project we will address the hypothesis that basal level of ROS play an essential role in oogenesis by setting up strategies to suppress ROS production and monitor their fluctuation at critical stages of oogenesis, as well as assessing oocyte competence. The results will be crucial for the advancement of the basic mechanisms controlling oogenesis as well as for the improvement of assisted reproductive technologies.
The study will be conducted in the bovine model at the Reproductive and Developmental Biology (ReDBioLab) of the Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (DIVAS) of the University of Milan (UNIMI).
Moreover, being part of the MSCA-ITN-ETN “EUROVA” doctorate program (ESR17), I also participate in the network’s training activities and will realize secondments in Paris and Barcelona.
Since 2023 – Early stage researcher (ESR) of the European Oocyte Biology Research Innovation Training Net – EUROVA, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks. Coordinator: Prof. Trudee Fair, University College Dublin; Supervisor and Co-Supervisor: Prof. Valentina Lodde and Prof. Federica Franciosi, University of Milan (UNIMI).
2017-2023 – Integrated Master’s degree in Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology at University of Ioannina, Greece.
2023 – Research traineeship on genetic engineering and developmental biology at Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie (I.E.C.B.) in Bordeaux, France.
2022-2023 – Research traineeship on stem cells and plasticity at Institut de génétique, biologie moléculaire et cellulaire (I.G.B.M.C.) in Strasbourg, France.
Diploma thesis on the mechanisms by which food deprivation promotes natural cellular plasticity events in C. elegans and design of self-propagating fluorescent reporter for Y to PDA transdifferentiation.
Research interest on reproductive and developmental biology and assisted reproductive technologies.
Publications: Orcid
Supervisor Prof. Valentina Lodde
Co-supervisor Prof. Federica Franciosi
