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Department of
Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine
 
 

Cell metabolism and regenerative medicine  

Research Interest


@ Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Regenerative Medicine,
Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine
University of Milan

The lab of Dr. Bifari is developing novel pharmacological approaches for regenerating neural tissue in neurodegenerative diseases.

Goal of the lab is to achieve effective treatments for the regeneration of neural tissue in different preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases (including spinal cord injury and metacromatic leucodistrify) modulating: i) neuronal cell differentiation, function and survival; ii) inflammation and immune system activation; iii) the degenerative microenvironment improving angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodelling

Bifari’s lab uses state-of-the art cutting-edge in vivo and in vitro methodologies, including comprehensive assessment of stem cell molecular (RNA seq, RNAscope), metabolic phenotype (metabolomics and flux analysis) and differentiation (gene fate mapping, organoids).

 

If interested please contact:

Francesco Bifari, MD, PhD ( francesco.bifari@unimi.it )
Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Regenerative Medicine
Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine
University of Milan
Via Vanvitelli 32; 20129, Milan, Italy
tel. +390250316 997-991
fax. +390250317056

 

Relevant Publications (selection):

  1. Bifari F. et al. Complete neural stem cell (NSC) neuronal differentiation requires a branched chain amino acids-induced persistent metabolic shift towards energy metabolism PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH. 2020 Aug;158:104863
  2. Martano G. et al. Metabolism of stem and progenitor cells: proper methods to answer specific questions. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE  2019 Jun 13;12:151.
  3. Pino A, et al. New neurons in adult brain: distribution, molecular mechanisms and therapies. BIOCHEM PHARMACOL. 2017 Oct 1;141:4-22 1. 
  4. Dolci S, et al. High Yield of Adult Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells Obtained from Meningeal Biopsy. FRONT PHARMACOL. 2017 Oct 12;8:703.
  5. Bifari F, et al. Neurogenic radial glia-like cells in meninges migrate and differentiate into functionally integrated neurons in the neonatal cortex. CELL STEM CELL, 2017 Mar 2;20(3):360-373.e7.
  6. Bifari F, et al. Meninges harbor cells expressing neural precursor markers during development and adulthood. FRONT CELL NEUROSCI. 2015 Oct 2;9:383 11. 
  7. Cantelmo AR, et al.  Inhibition of the Glycolytic Activator PFKFB3 in Endothelium Induces Tumor Vessel Normalization, Impairs Metastasis, and Improves Chemotherapy. CANCER CELL. 2016 Nov 8. 30(6):968-985.
  8. Lange C, et al. Relief of hypoxia by angiogenesis promotes neural stem cell differentiation by targeting glycolysis. EMBO JOURNAL. 2016 May 2;35(9):924-41.
  9. Quaegebeur A, et al.Deletion or Inhibition of the Oxygen Sensor PHD1 Protects against Ischemic Stroke via Reprogramming of Neuronal Metabolism. CELL METABOLISM. 2016 Feb 9;23(2):280-91
  10. De Bock K. et al. Role of PFKFB3-driven glycolysis in vessel sprouting.  CELL ; 2013 Aug 1, 154(3):651-63.
  11. Decimo I, et al. Nestin- and doublecortin-positive neural precursors are present in adult rat spinal cord meninges and contribute to injury-induced scar formation . STEM CELLS; 2011 Dec; 29(12):2062

 

 

 

 

 

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