Michela Ori

Present position Associate Professor in Cellular and Developmental Biology
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6777-0208
SCOPUS ID: 6701837889

RESEARCH INTERESTS: Developmental neurobiology using Danio rerio (zebrafish) as model systems: generation and functional studies of animal models for translational research in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders. Using the most recent biothecnologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, CRISPR/Cas13 and Base editors we are generating new in vivo models for Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder with the support of Fondazione Telethon and Associazione Italiana Sindrome di Pitt-Hopkins. In parallel we are studying the developmental function of other genes, PTBP1, NKT and ZNF865, found mutated in human orphan genetic disorders. The ambition of our lab is to contribute to developmental biology unveiling new molecular mechanisms involved in brain development and to use our expertise in neurodevelopment to propose new possible therapeutic strategies aimed to ameliorate patients life.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

-07/03/1997 Graduation (Laurea) 110/110 cum laude in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Pisa
-January 2001, PhD defense. Mention: Exellent. Thesis: Functional role of the homeotic gene Hoxa2 during the cranial neural crest development using the Xenopus laevis as animal model. Supervisor: Prof. Irma Nardi, University of Pisa and Prof. F.M. Rijli IGBMC Institute, Strasbourg, France
–Practical Courses and Master : Cell & Developmental Biology of Xenopus Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL, New York, USA) 1999 - granted fellowship
–Practical Course "Animal models for Development and Disease” University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK European Molecular Biology Organization" (EMBO) 2004
-Course: "Zebrafish: an animal model in biomedical research", International Workshop, King’s College London - UK 2013

PREVIOUS POSITIONS
Nov. 01-Gen.02 Post doctoral Fellowship "Development Travel Fellowship" Prof. F.M. Rijli’s Lab. IGBMC, Strasbourg, France.
2001-2005 Postdoctoral Fellowship (Assegno di Ricerca) Department of Physiology and Biochemistry University of Pisa.
2005-2008 Young Group Leader position “Ricercatore in Formazione”, Department of Biology, University of Pisa
2008- 2014 Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Pisa
2014- Associate Professor Department of Biology, University of Pisa


Awards 2001: Development Travelling Fellowship to spend a working period in the Laboratory of prof. F.M. Rijli, Institute of Biologique et Genetique Molecoulaire, (IGBMC) Strasbourg, France

2011: Prize “Young Researchers” University of Pisa


TEACHING ACTIVITIES
2014-: Advanced Course in Cell Biology for Master students in Cellular and Molecular Biology and students in Biomedicine, University of Pisa
2019- : Development and Differentiation of the Nervous System for Master students in Neuroscience, University of Pisa
2020- : Amimal experimentation and alternative methods: the 3Rs for Master students in Cellular and Molecular Biology and students in Biomedicine and Neuroscience University of Pisa

2015-2019: Cytology and Histology Course for bachelor students in Biological Sciences

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES -Member of the steering committee of the Gei-Società Italiana di Biologia dello Sviluppo e della Cellula (Italian society for Cellular and Developmental Biology) -Member of the steering committee of "Centro 3R" (Italian inter-university center for the promotion of the 3Rs in teaching and research). -Member of the board for the PhD in Biology, University of Pisa - Member of the permanent committee for the bachelor Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Pisa
-Delegate for Department of Biology for students with learning disabilities (DSA)- Delegate for Department of Biology for Sustainability (CoSa).