2020-2023 Recipient: Matteo Gianesello

Dr. Matteo Gianesello conducted the project titled “Studying the molecular mechanisms by which Notch1 induces Medulloblastoma (with human brain organoids)” at the Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Disorders and Cancer, led by Prof. Luca Tiberi (CIBIO, University of Trento).

This research project focuses on medulloblastoma, the most widespread malignant brain tumor in children.

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What does Matteo’s project involve?

This project concentrates specifically on “Subgroup 3”, which is the most aggressive and difficult form to treat. In fact, despite major medical advancements, the exact cell from which this tumor initially develops remains a mystery. Discovering this “cell of origin” is crucial to diagnosing the disease much earlier and developing targeted therapies that protect the developing brains of young patients.

By studying brain organoids – miniature models of the human brain grown in the laboratory from stem cells – Prof. Tiberi’s team has already discovered that only certain brain cells are capable of transforming into a tumor, and that the main difference depends on the activation of a specific biological signal called Notch.

Thanks to the Pezcoller Foundation – Casse Rurali Trentine PhD Fellowship, Dr. Matteo Gianesello was able to carry out a project to:

• Decode the exact mechanism by which this biological switch triggers healthy cells to transform into cancer.
• Use these insights to halt the process at its very roots, paving the way for new life-saving drugs.