Name: Centre for Health Technologies and Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Italy

Contacts: Prof. Maria Gabriella Cusella De Angelis;

Group members: Gabriele Ceccarelli, PhD; Laura Benedetti, technician.

Maria Gabriella Cusella is “Associated Professor” at the Dept. of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, Unit of Human Anatomy University of Pavia. 1989 Medical School Degree University of Rome “La Sapienza”. 1990-1991 CNR Fellowship (University of Chieti); 1992-1993 Fellowship from Istituto Superiore di Sanità (AIDS research) University of Rome ; 1994 EEC Fellowship (Human Capital and Mobility Project) Hubrecth Laboratorium, NIOB, Netherland; 1995-2000 Researcher Department of Eidological Morfological and Clinical sciences Unit of Human Anatomy University of Pavia. 2000-to date Associated Professor Dept. of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, Human Anatomy, University of Pavia. Since 1993 member of the Italian Society for cell Biology and Differentiation (now Italian Federation of Life Science, FISV); Since 1995 member of the Italian Society of Anatomy and Histology (SIAI). Since 2009 member of the CHT Technical-Scientific Committee.

Stem cells and regenerative medicine. In particular, Tissue Engineering, Stem cells in Tissue Engineering and differentiation to bone tissue and dermis; Bioreactors, Physical stimulation on stem cells (ultrasounds, electromagnetic field, mechanical vibration); muscle tissue regeneration, hypertrophy/atrophy pathways.

The activity of the lab is focused on biomimetic biomaterials and tissue engineering strategies for the regeneration of mesodermal tissues, in particular bone and dermis. The competences of the team involved in this work package cover the complete spectrum of expertise necessary to move from stem cell in vitro culture and research to bio-complexes involved in tissue repair.

Lab facilities are constituted of: tissue culture room provided with 3 CO₂ incubators, a refrigerated centrifuge, 2 laminar flow hoods, a Dubnoff thermostatic bath, a stereomycroscope. Biochemistry and molecular biology apparatuses (ELISA reader, electrophoresis cells for DNA and proteins, Thermo cycler, Real Time PCR polymerase chain reaction apparatus, Nanodrop, Western/Southern Blot apparatus, air incubators for bacterial growth); optical microscopes, a confocal microscope (Vico-Nikon), a cryostat (used for freezing, sectioning and staining of specimens for microscopical examination), a Microtome, used to cut specimens after inclusion in paraffin; Chemical hood, dark room; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells banks kept in nitrogen containers; one -80°C and two °20 freezers; computer and softwares; autoclave and dry oven for sterilization, devices for the preparation and production of ultrapure water, ice-dispenser.