Avola Roberto

Biography

Roberto Avola holds a degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Catania on 21 December 1974 with 110/110 votes and praise. On July 30, 1977, he received the Diploma of Specialization in Microbiology at the University of Catania with the highest marks and praise. Assistant Professor at the 1st Chair of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Catania from 1.1.1975 to 1.10.1977, and Assistant Professor at the Chair at 2.10.1977 to 10.12. 1982. Professor in Biochemistry at the Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Catania from November 1, 1978 to December 10, 1982. Associate Professor of Biochemistry in the Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Catania from 11 December 1982 to 13 June 1986.> Extraordinary Professor of Biochemistry at the Degree in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Catania, following the competition, from 14 June 1986 to 13 June 1989. Ordinary Professor of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Catania from 14 June 1989 to this day. Since November 1, 2007 he is Coordinator of the International PhD in Neurobiology. From February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2015, he was elected member of the National Council of Ordinary Professors SSD BIO / 10, under the National College of Ordinary Professors SSD BIO / 10. Since 1 November 2014 is DECANO of Professors of Biochemistry of the University of Catania. Since 1 November 2014 is DECANO of the School "Faculty of Medicine" of the University of Catania as well as DECANO of many Medical Area Specialization Schools. Holidays abroad: Roberto Avola attended the Department of Neurobiology of the Cellular Biology Laboratory of CNR in Rome, then directed by Prof. Rita Levi Montalcini, deepening her knowledge of in vitro cultures of sensitive and embryonic embryonic and neuroblastoma murine neoblastic stem cells. He also spent two study stays at the Center for Neurochemistry of CNRS in Strasbourg, from October to December 1980 and from January to February 1984, led by Prof. Paul Mandel and then by Prof. Guy Vincendon where he learned the most advanced techniques of preparation of astral and neuronal cell cultures under the guidance of Prof. Monique Sensenbrenner. Affiliation with Scientific Societies: Member of the Italian Society of Biochemistry (SIB) and of the Italian Society of Neurosciences (SINS). Member of the Italian Group of the Neuromorphology Study (GISN) Member of the European Society for Neurochemistry (ESN), of the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience (ISDN).

Research Interest

1. Primary rat astroglial cell cultures. 2. neuroblastoma and glioblastoma cell cultures. 3. Effect of antioxidant molecules [(+) thioctic acid, (+/-) thioctic acid] and choline containing compounds on proliferation and differentiation of neural cell culture. 4. Study of anticancer molecules (eg bortezomib) and neuroprotective ones (eg thioctic acid) in in vitro model of neoplastic cell cultures. 5. Effect of alpha lipoic acid and choline-containing compounds on the expression of some astroglial biomarkers during proliferation and differentiation of astrocyte cell cultures and neuroblastoma cell lines. 6. Effect of growth factors and steroid hormones (estrogens and glucocorticoids) on cytoskeletal protein expression, as well as MAP kinases, PARP, Caspase-3 and Annexin-5 expression (well known apoptotic markers) during proliferation and differentiation of primary astroglial cells cultures. 7. Evaluation of tissue transglutaminase and cyclin D1 on cell proliferation of astrocyte cultures treated with growth factors and steroid hormones during their development differentiation, aging and apoptosis. 8. Effect of astroglial conditioned media on neural proliferation and differentiation; effects of growth factors (EGF, bFGF, IGF-I) on DNA and RNA labeling and ERK-1 expression on rat astrocytes maintained under various colture conditions. 9. Study on neural cell differentiation of rat and human Mesenchimal Steam Cells after "competence" and "progression" growth factor treatment and steroid ormones (Dexamethasone and Estradiol) pretreatment. In particular, evaluation of cytoscheletal proteins expression, MAP kinases, PARP, Caspase-3, Annexin-5 (well known apoptotic markers). 10. Study of cholinergic precursor role on the proliferation and differentiation parameters of rat astroglial cells and adult rat Bone marrow Mesenchimal Stem cells in coltures.