Michele Fornaro, Ph.D.

Neural plasticity - I dedicated the past 15 years investigating the neuroplasticity of the adult central and peripheral nervous system. I developed in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo studies using dorsal root ganglia (DRG) as my primary model (Fig.1-3). The use of adult DRG explants allowed me to investigate axonal growth and activation of repair mechanisms in the neuronal cell bodies after nerve injury. I investigated by high resolution light microscopy stereology the changes in neuron number occurring in dorsal root ganglia after peripheral nerve injury. Evidence of BrDU-immunopositive neurons expressing neural progenitor markers supported the stereological evidence of posttraumatic neurogenesis in dorsal root ganglia and the presence of a niche of multipotent progenitor cells throughout adulthood.
Peripheral nerve repair - A significant aspect of my contribution to research goes towards the field of peripheral nerve regeneration. Mostly with mouse and rat models in vivo, I explored the use of different bio-mimetic and bio-engineered material and topographic surfaces to enhance directionality of axonal growth and peripheral nerve regeneration (Fig.3). I was trained to perform surgery in animals, and I carried out the histological processing of samples, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and morphometric analysis. I also investigated ultrastructural changes in degenerating and regenerating nerves in electron microscopy and the molecular mechanisms guiding axonal growth.
Neurovirology - A more recent interest brought me to explore the infectivity of neuronal cells. In collaboration with Dr. Tiwari we developed neuronal model to investigate CMV and HSV viral entry and spread. Our research mostly focused on the role of heparan sulfate in viral entry and inflammatory response.
Development of the olfactory system - My particular interest focused on the earliest stages of development of the olfactory placode. Using morphological approaches I studied a precocious cluster of cells migrating from the olfactory placode toward the prosencephalic vesicle. I characterized in immunofluorescence these cells as first population of post-mitotic neurons expressing Huc/D proteins, and other markers to track these cells along the neuronal lineage. As part of my doctoral project, I spent 2 years as a fellow in Dr. Wray`s lab (CDNS-NINDS/NIH) where I studied peculiar aspects of the Gonadotropin releasing hormone-1 neurons (GnRH-1) and their migration from the olfactory placode to the Hypothalamus in early embryological stages in mouse. I studied the expression of Fe65 protein in GnRH -1 cells and its role in the commitment of immature GnRH-1 progenitors towards the neuronal lineage.
Neuroplasticity of adult central and peripheral nervous system
Peripheral nerve regeneration
Neurovirology