Isabella Caniggia

Research Synopsis Research Interests: Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the etio-pathogenesis of pregnancy related disorders. The overall aim of my research program is to understand the cellular and molecular physiological mechanisms regulating normal and pathological placental development with the long-term objective to use the information to develop new diagnostic tests and potential therapeutic strategies. Keywords (all that apply): cell biology, diabetes, development, epigenetics, genetic expression, growth factors, human models, hypertension, insulin resistance, molecular biology, oxidative stress, protein trafficking, receptors, reproductive biology, shphingolipid metabolism, shphingosine-1-phosphate signaling, transcription and transfection, mouse models Detailed Description: oxygen and oxygen sensing in the human placenta in physiological and pathological conditions, polarity, fusion, cell differentiation, cell death, TGFB signalling, autophagy, sphingolipid metabolism, cell cycle, epigenetics, sphinigloionds, Bcl-2 family members, gestational diseases, preeclampsia, IUGR, pregnancy. Methods Used: Elisa, gene expression analysis, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, mass spectrometry, microarrays, proteomics, qRT-PCR, RIA, RT-PCR, signal transduction characterization, siRNA, wester blot Equipment Used: Amplifer, analytical balances, benchtop microcentrifuge, blotting apparatus, culture incubators, dissecting microscope (benchtop microscope), gel apparatus, low and ultraflow freezers, microwave oven, mini vortexer, microplate shaker, Ph meter, ProBlot hybridization oven, real-tiem/thermocycler, setups for electrophoresis, shaker