Cinzia Severini


“LA SAPIENZA” Universisty of Rome
+39 06 49976742 (office)
cinzia.severini@cnr.it

Research of our lab is focused on the study of the pharmacological aspects related to neurodegenerative diseases, from the systemic to the molecular and cellular level 

The main interest in the lab is the study of neurothophic and inflammatory factors and neuropeptides in Alzheimer’s disease

A major interest in the lab is placed on:

  • Characterization of neuropeptides receptors involvement in the NGF neuroprotective activity in both primary cell cultures and AD animal models
  • Study of the chemokine prokineticin 2 (PROK2) in AD and Parkinson’s disease cellular and animal models
  • Identification of potential blood biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases

Recently, we are characterizing potential biomarkers in head and neck carcinomas

Education:

  • 2000: Master in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Sapienza University of Rome
  • 1987: degree cum laude in Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome
  • 1985: degree cum laude in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome 

Positions:

  • 2020 Teaching position of Pharmacology at Sapienza University of Rome, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Master degree in Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Corso di laurea A – Azienda Policlinico Umberto I
  • 2018 Referent of IBCN Research Unit p/o Sense Organs Department, Sapienza, University of Rome
  • 2018: Teaching position of Pharmacology at Sapienza University of Rome, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Master Degree Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • 2017: Responsible of URT IBCN, Fondazione EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini
  • 2016: Supply teaching board member, PhD School in Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome
  • 2001: Research Scientist INMM, CNR, Rome
  • 2000: Research scientist, CNR INMM, Rome
  • 1991-2000: Supply Teacher in Pharmacognosy and Pharmacological Sciences , Faculty of Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome

Dr. Severini has published about 100 articles/invited reviews in internationals journals and is Gest Editor of a Topic Special Issues in Cells (2020): “Neurotrophic factors in health and disease”. Dr. Severini collaborates to the Reviewers board of Frontiers in Neuroscience and Frontiers in Pharmacology, Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery.
H Index: 29
Orcid ID   0000-0002-6932-704X

 

Honours/Awards:

2013: Qualification for University Associate Professor (05/F1)

2013 Award for Best Poster at Telethon Conventions, Italy

2011 Award for Best Poster at Telethon Conventions, Italy

Ongoing Research Support:

2018-2021: Lazio Innova Project 15286 Passananti (PI). Title: “Geni artificiali come strategia terapeutica per la Distrofia muscolare di Duchenne”/“Artificial genes as therapeutic strategy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy”. Role: Co-Investigator

2020: Progetto Medio Ateneo Sapienza Università di Roma (2019). Characterization of the Secretogranin VGF (SgVII) in laryngeal carcinoma to identify a new potential tumor marker. Role: Co-Investigator

Patents:

Levi A, Possenti R, Severini C. Peptide in grado di indurre la contrazione muscolare e suoi usi. RM2001A000439, 23 Luglio 2001.

  • Lattanzi R, Maftei D, Petrella C, Pieri M, Sancesario G, Schirinzi T, Bernardini S, Barbato C, Ralli M, Greco A, Possenti R, Sancesario G, Severini C*. Involvement of the chemokine Prokineticin-2 (PROK2) in Alzheimer’s disease: from animal models to the human pathology. Cells, 2019; pii: E1430. IF: 5.3
  • Severini C*, Lattanzi R, Maftei D, Marconi V, Ciotti MT, Petrocchi Passeri P, Florenzano F, Del Duca E, Caioli S, Zona C, Balboni G, Salvadori S, Nisticò R, Negri L. Bv8/prokineticin 2 is involved in Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Sci Rep. 2015;5:15301. IF: 4.5
  • Marolda R, Ciotti MT, Matrone C, Possenti R, Calissano P, Cavallaro S, Severini C*. Substance P activates ADAM9 mRNA expression and induces α-secretase-mediated amyloid precursor protein cleavage. Neuropharmacology. 2012;62:1954-63. IF: 4.4
  • Severini C*, La Corte G, Improta G, Broccardo M, Agostini S, Petrella C, Sibilia V, Pagani F, Guidobono F, Bulgarelli I, Ferri GL, Brancia C, Rinaldi AM, Levi A, Possenti R. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological role of TLQP-21, a VGF-derived peptide, in the regulation of rat gastric motor functions. Br J Pharmacol. 2009;157:984-93. IF: 6.6
  • Severini C*, Improta G, Falconieri-Erspamer G, Salvadori S, Erspamer V. The tachykinin peptide family. Pharmacol Rev. 2002;54:285-322. IF: 19

 

Researcher
Maria Grazia Di Certo

Post-doctoral fellows
Francesca Gabanella f.gabanella@alice.it 
Thecnician
Carla Petrella carla.petrella@cnr.it 
Associates
Maria Teresa Ciotti
Delio Mercanti

Dal 2008                 
Telethon GGP14073A (2014-2015)
Telethon GGP10094 2013
FIRB RBAP10L8TY_004 (2011-2012)
FIRB RBLA03FLJC_010 (2008-2009)

2016-2018
Progetto invecchiamento DSB.AD009.001 (2016-2018)