International School for Advanced Studies

In a review on Italian science, Nature (Nature, vol 438, 16 December 2005, pp 1046-47) has defined Trieste and in particular SISSA as one of Italy’s bright spots. According to several recent rankings SISSA is the best Italian research centre. Initially concentrated around Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, SISSA has expanded its range of activities to comprise new, highly promising and dynamic fields such as Neuroscience, Structural-Functional Genomics and Bio-nanotechnology.

Role and expertise of SISSA in the proposal

The SISSA group will be responsible for the analysis of the effect of different nanopatterns and structures on the differentiation of stem cells (WP7) and of the formation and properties of specific neuronal networks (WP9). The SISSA group will combine a variety of electrical recordings, with imaging techniques (Atomic Force Microscopy, fluorescence imaging,…) with a several biochemical analysis of differentiating and growing stem cells and neurons.

A selection of the most relevant publications from the SISSA group

Ruaro ME, Bonifazi P, Torre V. (2005). Toward the neurocomputer: image processing and pattern recognition with neuronal cultures. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. Mar;52(3) pp.371-83.

Ruaro ME, Bonifazi P, Torre V. (2005). Statistical properties of information processing in neuronal networks. Eur J Neurosci. Dec;22(11):2953-64.

Andjelic S, Torre V. (2005). Calcium dynamics and compartmentalization in leech neurons. J Neurophysiol. Dec; 94 (6) pp. 4430-40.

Mazzoni, A, Broccard F, Garcia-Perez E, Bonifazi P, Ruaro ME & Torre V (2007). On the dynamics of the spontaneous activity in neuronal networks. PLoS ONE. May 9;2:e439.

Ban J, Bonifazi P, Pinato G, Broccard F, Studer L, Torre V and Ruaro ME (2007) Embryonic stem cell-derived neurons form functional networks in vitro. Stem Cells Mar;25(3):738-49.