Marta d'Amora

Universita degli Studi di Pisa, Department of Biology, Post-Doc

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Dr. Marta d'Amora is an established researcher in Molecular and Cellular Biology, with particular expertise in zebrafish models and their applications in neuroscience and toxicology. Her research career spans over 13 years, encompassing significant contributions to nanotoxicology.
Following the completion of her Ph.D. in Neurochemistry and Neurobiology, Dr. d'Amora developed comprehensive expertise in developmental neurobiology and cellular signaling pathways. Her research focused on mapping critical molecular determinants during embryonic neurodevelopment in murine models. This foundational work established her proficiency in advanced methodological approaches for studying both normal and pathological states of the nervous system.
In her subsequent research endeavors across academic and research institutions, she pioneered interdisciplinary investigations in nanomaterial and pharmaceutical toxicology using zebrafish models. Her work has been distinguished by the application of cutting-edge imaging techniques, including super-resolution microscopy and high-penetration imaging methods, enabling unprecedented insights into in vivo toxicological processes.
Most recently, Dr. d'Amora's research has focused on neuronal electrophysiology, employing micro-electrode arrays (MEAs) to investigate compound effects and epileptogenesis in zebrafish models.

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Zagazig University

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The Impact of Long-Term Exposure to Space Environment on Adult Mammalian Organisms: A Study on Mouse Thyroid and Testis

Hormonal changes in humans during spaceflight have been demonstrated but the underlying mechanism... more Hormonal changes in humans during spaceflight have been demonstrated but the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. To clarify this point thyroid and testis/epididymis, both regulated by anterior pituitary gland, have been analyzed on long-term space-exposed male C57BL/10 mice, either wild type or pleiotrophin transgenic, overexpressing osteoblast stimulating factor-1. Glands were submitted to morphological and functional analysis. In thyroids, volumetric ratios between thyrocytes and colloid were measured. cAMP production in 10 27 M and 10 28 M thyrotropin-treated samples was studied. Thyrotropin receptor and caveolin-1 were quantitized by immunoblotting and localized by immunofluorescence. In space-exposed animals, both basal and thyrotropin-stimulated cAMP production were always higher. Also, the structure of thyroid follicles appeared more organized, while thyrotropin receptor and caveolin-1 were overexpressed. Unlike the control samples, in the space samples thyrotropin receptor and caveolin-1 were both observed at the intracellular junctions, suggesting their interaction in specific cell membrane microdomains. In testes, immunofluorescent reaction for 3b-steroid dehydrogenase was performed and the relative expressions of hormone receptors and interleukin-1b were quantified by RT-PCR. Epididymal sperm number was counted. In space-exposed animals, the presence of 3b and 17b steroid dehydrogenase was reduced. Also, the expression of androgen and follicle stimulating hormone receptors increased while lutenizing hormone receptor levels were not affected. The interleukin 1 b expression was upregulated. The tubular architecture was altered and the sperm cell number was significantly reduced in spaceflight mouse epididymis (approx. 290% vs. laboratory and ground controls), indicating that the space environment may lead to degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules. Space-induced changes of structure and function of thyroid and testis/epididymis could be responsible for variations of hormone levels in human during space missions. More research, hopefully a reflight of MDS, would be needed to establish whether the space environment acts directly on the peripheral glands or induces changes in the hypotalamus-pituitary-glandular axis.

Marta d'Amora

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