Dr. S.M.L. Barabino – Attachment n. 1
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CURRICULUM VITAE
Prof. Silvia Maria Luisa Barabino
PERSONAL INFORMATION
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Sorengo, Canton Ticino, Switzerland
DATE OF BIRTH:
September, 7th, 1963
NATIONALITY:
Italian
PROFESSIONAL ADDRESS: Dept. of Biotechnology and Biosciences
University of Milano-Bicocca
P.zza della Scienza, 2
20126 Milano, Italy
Tel. +39 02 64483352
PRIVATE ADDRESS:
via F. Carcano, 2 - 20126 Milano
Tel. +39 02 43912224
Email: silvia.barabino@unimib.it
EDUCATION
1988: Specialization in Genetics at the Università degli Studi di Pavia,
1987: Degree in Biology at the Università degli Studi di Pavia, Italy; 110/110 summa cum
laude.
Doctor Thesis: "Biological and Enzimatic Effects of DNA-Caffein interaction."
At the time the research period for the thesis was considered as an equivalent of a
Ph.D., and allowed access to Post-doctoral positions in Italy and abroad.
1982: Abitur (International Baccalaureate), German School of Milan, Italy.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Present Position
Associated Professor in Molecular Biology, Department of
Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca
2001 – 2006
Assistant Professor in Molecular Biology, Department of
Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano –
Bicocca
2000 – 2001
Independent PI in Prof. F. Cotelli’s laboratory, Department
of Biology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
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Dr. S.M.L. Barabino – Attachment n. 1
1994 – 2000:
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Assistant in Prof. W. Keller's laboratory, Cell Biology
Department, Biozentrum, University Basel, Switzerland.
1992 - 1994:
Post-doctoral Fellow in Dr. E. Boncinelli's laboratory,
DIBIT, H S. Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
1988 - 1992:
Post-doctoral Fellow in Dr. A.I Lamond's laboratory,
European
Molecular
Biology
Laboratory,
Heidelberg,
Germany.
July - October 1988:
Training in Prof. P.J. Hagerman’s laboratory, Department of
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Genetics, University of
Colorado, Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
1985 – 1987
Experimental thesis for the Laurea (Degree) in Biology, in
the lab of Dr. MA Pedrini, Institute of Molecular Genetics,
National Research Council, CNR, Pavia
AREAS OF RESEARCH INTEREST
Current research interest:
“Mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation of mammalian gene expression and their
role in human disease”
Genetic regulation of gene expression involves a complex network of interactions not only at
the level of transcription but also at the levels of mRNA processing, export and quality
control. In higher metazoans, most protein-coding genes are transcribed as primary
transcripts (pre-mRNAs) that are composed of several coding exons, separated by intervening
regions (introns). The maturation of pre-mRNAs (pre-mRNA splicing and 3’ end
polyadenylation) constitutes a critical step for the regulation of gene expression. During
RNA splicing cells may remove and splice together different segments of RNA from the
same gene, resulting in alternatively spliced gene products. In many cases, the alternative
spliced products can have very different biological effects. Defects in the splicing process
play a central role in many human diseases.
Alternative splicing is particularly common in genes expressed in the mammalian nervous
system. Our work concentrates on a range of projects related to the control of pre-mRNA
splicing under physiological and pathological conditions in neuronal cells. Starting from a
whole-genome, splicing sensitive microarray analysis of two different cellular models of
neurodegeneration we have identified a common set of genes that are deregulated either at
the transcription or at the splicing level. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that several of these
genes are involved in neuritogenesis. Based on these results, we aim at determining the
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mechanisms that couple the choice of alternative exons to transcription. In this study we
concentrate on Brahma, a component of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodelling complex,
which is significantly downregulated in our models. By modulating the levels of Brahma we
study how chromatin remodelling affects transcription and splicing of genes involved in
neurite outgrowth. A second project concerns the mechanisms of action of splicing regulators
and to understand their roles in neuronal development. This project is focused on SRPK2, a
protein kinase specific for the SR (serine/arginine-rich domain) family of splicing factors. A
final area of interest is focused on the effect of cell stress on the maturation of transcripts
regulating cell cycle and cell death. We are currently studying the mechanisms by which
DNA damage caused by oxidative stress affects alternative splicing. To address all these
questions, we are using a combination of in vitro culture assay systems, biochemistry,
microscopy, and transgenic mouse models.
Finally we have just initiated a project concerning the characterization of role of micro RNAs
in neurodegenration.
2000 – 2008 To understand how the correct splice sites are selected, we studied the definition
of 3'-terminal exons. Our working hypothesis was that a subset of spliceosomal SR proteins
participates together with the 3'-end processing factor CF Im in the coordination of splicing and
polyadenylation. We have characterized the 3’ end processing factor CF Im and we have shown
that it shuttles continuously between the nucleus and the cytoplasm in association to mRNA.
We have tested with different in vitro and in vivo approaches if CF Im plays a direct role in
mRNA transport. In collaboration with Prof. Daniel Schuemperli we have also characterized
the role of CF Im in the maturation of histone mRNAs. Finally, we have initiated the study of
the effect of oxidative stress on the intracellular distribution and on the phosphorylation status
of splicing factors.
1994 – 2000 in Prof. W. Keller's laboratory at the Department of Cell Biology, Biozentrum,
University Basel:
biochemical and molecular characterization of the factors required for 3'-end processing of
pre-mRNAs both in yeast and in mammalian cells;
purification, cloning, and characterization the 30 kD subunit of CPSF, an essential
component of the mammalian 3'-end processing machinery; cloning and characterization of
its yeast homolog, Yth1p.
1992 - 1994 in Prof. Boncinelli’s laboratory at the D.I.BI.T, H S. Raffaele, Milan:
cloning and expression analysis of homeobox genes in Zebrafish; isolation and
characterization of the Zebrafish homolog of the human gene Emx1 during Zebrafish
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development; isolation and characterization of a novel gene specifically expressed in the
developing retina.
1987-1992 in the laboratory of Dr. A.I. Lamond at the E.M.B.L., Heidelberg:
biochemical study of the molecular mechanism of pre-mRNA splicing in mammalian cells
with focus on the role of U1 and U2 snRNPs in spliceosome assembly and in the splicing
reaction. I contributed to setting up a novel approach for the purification of RNA:protein
complexes from cell nuclear extracts using modified antisense oligonucleotides.
SEMINARS PRESENTED AND INVITED LECTURES AT INTERNATIONAL
MEETINGS
1st Post-EURASNET Symposium “Regulation of Gene Expression through RNA Splicing”,
Trieste, March 24-27, 2012
Workshop “Frontiers in Epigenomics” Baeza, Spain, October 17-19, 2011
2010 SIBBM Seminar Frontiers in Molecular Biology, 6th meeting of the Italian Society for
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 3 – 5 Iune 2010, Padua, Italy
ALS/MND, European young investigator meeting, 22-24 May 2009, Turin,, Italy
Swiss RNA Workshop, January 30, 2009, Bern, Switzerland
RNA 2008 Annual Meeting of the RNA Society, July 28 - August 3rd, 2008, Berlin, Germany
9th Meeting of the Italian life Science Federation, September 26-29, 2007, Riva del Garda
TN, Italy
EMBO Workshop on “Mechanisms of nuclear transport”, Taormina, November 1st – 5th
2003
Cold Spring Harbor Meeting on "Eukaryotic mRNA processing", 25 – 29 August 1999, Cold
Spring Harbor, N.Y., U.S.A.
RNA'97, Second Annual Meeting of The RNA Society, 27 May - 1 June 1997, Banff,
Canada
SERVICE ACTIVITIES
Grant reviewer for
National Science Foundation
Austrian Science Foundation
Inserm
European Young Investigator Award Scheme (EURYI)
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Reviewer for professional journals
PLoS Biology
Journal Leukocyte Biology
RNA
Cell Research
Experimental Cell Research
Molecular and General Genetics
ACADEMIC SERVICE
Ph.D. Student Recruitment Committee
PhD program in Molecular and Translation Medicine, DIMET, University of Milano-Bicocca
(2005-present)
International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine – Neuroscience, Vita-Salute University
San Raffaele, Milano (2002-2005)
STUDENTS AND THESES
Short-term training of students : Simona Paro, Antonella Orlando, Valentina Romeo, Mirko
Cavalleri
Undergraduate students currently doing their thesis work in the lab:
Andrea Maffioletti, Francesco Ranzini
Former undergraduate students: Chiara Aringhieri, Stefano Cardinale, Paolo Bonetti,
Davide Bonanno, Katia Mariniello, Simona Paro, Valentina
Romeo
Current PhD student: Gabriele Fontana
Former PhD students: Chiara Aringhieri, Silvia Vivarelli
TEACHING
Associate Professor
2007 - present
Molecular Biology, University of Milano – Bicocca, Milano, Italy
Molecular Biology I – introductory course for 2nd year students
Molecular Biology, II – advanced course for 3rd year students
Integrated Advanced Biology Course – current topics in Molecular Biology for 4th year
students
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Advanced Molecular Biology Practical – practical course for 4th year students
Assistant Professor
2001 - 2007
Molecular Biology, University of Milano – Bicocca, Milano, Italy
Molecular Biology I – introductory course for 2nd year students
Molecular Biology, II – advanced course for 3rd year students
Advanced Biology – advanced course in Mol. Biology for 5th year students
Molecular Biology Laboratory - practical course for 3rd year students
Molecular Biology of the Eukaryotic Cell for 4th year students
Teaching Assistant
Biozentrum, University Basel, Basel, Switzerland
1996 - 2000
Grundkurs in Zellbiologie: Transcription and pre-mRNA Processing - theoretical and
rd
practical course for 3 year students
st
Übungen zu Grundlagen der Allgemeine Biologie - tutoring for 1 year students
LIST of PUBLICATIONS (last five years)
S. Vivarelli, S.C. Lenzken, M.-D. Ruepp, F. Ranzini, A. Maffioletti, R. Alvarez, O.
Mühlemann, S.M.L. Barabino “Paraquat Modulates Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing by
Modifying the Intracellular Distribution of SRPK2.” PLoS One. 2013 Apr 16;8(4):e61980.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061980.
M.-D. Ruepp, D. Schümperli, , S. M.L. Barabino "mRNA 3' end processing and more multiple functions of mammalian cleavage factor I-68" Wiley Interdiscip Rev RNA. 2011
Jan-Feb;2(1):79-91. doi: 10.1002/wrna.35.
S.C. Lenzken, V. Romeo, F. Zolezzi, F. Corsero, G. Lamorte, D. Bonanno, D. Biancolini,
M.Cozzolino, A. Maracchioni, R. Sanges, T. Achsel, M.T. Carrì, R. A. Calogero, S.M.L.
Barabino “Dysregulated expression and alternative splicing of genes controlling
neuritogenesis and axon guidance revealed by exon-sensitive microarrays in models of
neurodegeneration” Hum Mutat. 2011 Feb;32(2):168-82. doi: 10.1002/humu.21394. Epub
2011 Jan 25.
M.-D. Ruepp, S. Vivarelli, R. S. Pillai, N. Kleinschmidt, T. N. Azzouz, S. M.L. Barabino,
and D. Schümperli “Association of the 68 kDa subunit of mammalian cleavage factor I with
the U7 snRNP: possible role in 3' end processing of animal histone mRNAs” Nucleic Acids
Res. 2010 Nov;38(21):7637-50. Epub 2010 Jul 15.
C. Aringhieri, M.-D. Ruepp, S. Vivarelli, S. Cardinale, S. Paro, D. Schümperli and S. M.L.
Barabino “Mammalian 3’ end processing factor CF Im68 functions in mRNA export.” Mol.
Biol. Cell, (2009), 20, 5211-5223.
Raucci, A., Cugusi, S., Antonelli, A., Barabino, S.M., Monti, L., Bierhaus, A., Reiss, K.,
Saftig, P., Bianchi M.E., “A soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts
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(RAGE) is produced by proteolytic cleavage of the membrane-bound form by the sheddase a
disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10).” FASEB J., (2008), 22, 3716-3727
Raucci, A, Cugusi, S, Antonelli, A, Barabino, S, Bierhaus, A, Saftig, P, Bianchi, ME A
soluble form of RAGE is produced by proteolytic cleavage of the membrane bound form by
the sheddase a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE
BIOLOGY(2008) 84 (2)
B. Cisterna, F. Flach, L. Vecchio, S.M.L. Barabino, S. Battistelli, T.E. Martin, M.
Malatesta, M. Biggiogera “Can a genetically-modified organism-containing diet influence
embryo development? A preliminary study on pre-implantation mouse embryos.” Eur. J.
Histochem. (2008), 52, 263-267.
M. Malatesta, M. Biggiogera, B. Baldelli, S.M.L. Barabino., T.E. Martin, C. Zancanaro
“Hibernation as a far-reaching program for the modulation of RNA transcription.” Microsc.
Res. Tech. (2008), 71, p. 564-572.
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