Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

About: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia is a facility organization based out in Genoa, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Humanoid robot & Robot. The organization has 4561 authors who have published 14595 publications receiving 437558 citations. The organization is also known as: Italian Institute of Technology & IIT.

Influence of electrotaxis on cell behaviour

Abstract: Understanding the mechanism of cell migration and interaction with the microenvironment is not only of critical significance to the function and biology of cells, but also has extreme relevance and impact on physiological processes and diseases such as morphogenesis, wound healing, neuron guidance, and cancer metastasis. External guidance factors such as topography and physical cues of the microenvironment promote directional migration and can target specific changes in cell motility and signalling mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that cells can directionally respond to applied electric fields (EFs), in both in vitro and in vivo settings, a phenomenon called electrotaxis. However, the exact cellular mechanisms for sensing electrical signals are still not fully well understood, and it is thus far unknown how cells recognize and respond to electric fields, although some studies have suggested that electro-migration of some cell surface receptors and ion channels in cells could be involved. Applied electric fields may have a potential clinical role in guiding cell migration and present a more precise manageability to change the magnitude and direction of the electric field than most other guidance cues such as chemical cues. Here we present a review of recent studies used for studying electrotaxis to point out similarities, identify points of disagreement, and stimulate new directions for investigation. Insights into the mechanisms by which applied EFs direct cell migration, morphological change and development will enable current and future therapeutic applications to be optimized.

Fibrous wound dressings encapsulating essential oils as natural antimicrobial agents

Abstract: Preventing infections is one of the main focuses of wound care. The colonisation of wounds by microorganisms can in fact have negative consequences on the healing process, delaying it. Here, we propose the use of essential oils as natural antimicrobial agents for cellulose-based fibrous dressings. We demonstrate the production of composite electrospun fibres that effectively encapsulate three different types of essential oils (cinnamon, lemongrass and peppermint). The fibrous scaffolds are able to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, even when small amounts of essential oils were used. At the same time, they are not cytotoxic, as proved by biocompatibility assays on skin cell models. The created dressings are promising as advanced biomedical devices for topical treatments.

Changing the Dimensionality of Cesium Lead Bromide Nanocrystals by Reversible Postsynthesis Transformations with Amines.

Abstract: by Reversible Postsynthesis Transformations with Amines Francisco Palazon,† Guilherme Almeida,†,§ Quinten A. Akkerman,†,§ Luca De Trizio,† Zhiya Dang,† Mirko Prato,‡ and Liberato Manna*,† †Nanochemistry Department and ‡Materials Characterization Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Universita ̀ degli Studi di Genova, Via Dodecaneso, 31, 16146 Genova, Italy

Convergent repression of Foxp2 3′UTR by miR-9 and miR-132 in embryonic mouse neocortex: implications for radial migration of neurons

Abstract: SUMMARY MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are rapidly emerging as a new layer of regulation of mammalian brain development. However, most of the miRNA target genes remain unidentified. Here, we explore gene expression profiling upon miRNA depletion and in vivo target validation as a strategy to identify novel miRNA targets in embryonic mouse neocortex. By this means, we find that Foxp2, a transcription factor associated with speech and language development and evolution, is a novel miRNA target. In particular, we find that miR-9 and miR-132 are able to repress ectopic expression of Foxp2 protein by targeting its 3 untranslated region (3UTR) in vivo. Interestingly, ectopic expression of Foxp2 in cortical projection neurons (a scenario that mimics the absence of miRNA-mediated silencing of Foxp2 expression) delays neurite outgrowth in vitro and impairs their radial migration in embryonic mouse neocortex in vivo. Our results uncover a new layer of control of Foxp2 expression that may be required for proper neuronal maturation.

Fat-induced satiety factor oleoylethanolamide enhances memory consolidation

Abstract: The ability to remember contexts associated with aversive and rewarding experiences provides a clear adaptive advantage to animals foraging in the wild. The present experiments investigated whether hormonal signals released during feeding might enhance memory of recently experienced contextual information. Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is an endogenous lipid mediator that is released when dietary fat enters the small intestine. OEA mediates fat-induced satiety by engaging type-alpha peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR-alpha) in the gut and recruiting local afferents of the vagus nerve. Here we show that post-training administration of OEA in rats improves retention in the inhibitory avoidance and Morris water maze tasks. These effects are blocked by infusions of lidocaine into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and by propranolol infused into the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA). These findings suggest that the memory-enhancing signal generated by OEA activates the brain via afferent autonomic fibers and stimulates noradrenergic transmission in the BLA. The actions of OEA are mimicked by PPAR-alpha agonists and abolished in mutant mice lacking PPAR-alpha. The results indicate that OEA, acting as a PPAR-alpha agonist, facilitates memory consolidation through noradrenergic activation of the BLA, a mechanism that is also critically involved in memory enhancement induced by emotional arousal.