ISOF PROJECT TEAM
Project Title
Astrocytes neural network multiscale response to extracellular sensing cues
Funds
USAF AFOSR (Air Force Office of Scientific Research) FA9550-24-1-0001
Years
2023-2026
Main Research Area
GOALS
The ASTRO-SENSE project investigates how astrocytes and neurons interact to process information in under both normal and stress conditions. It studies astrocyte ion channels, calcium signalling, and water dynamics in response to chemical, physical, and electromagnetic stimuli. Engineered 2D and 3D biomaterial-based neural cultures are used to precisely control the extracellular environment. The project examines astrocyte responses within neuron–astrocyte networks derived from neural stem cells. Experimental data are integrated with computational modelling in collaboration with the University of Maryland to predict network behaviour under stress. The project links cellular astrocyte functions to large-scale neural network behaviour and neuron–glia communication, ultimately aiming to identify neural signatures of cognition and predict brain responses to environmental stress.
The project is coordinated by CNR-ISOF, with CNR-IPCB, University of Bari (UNIBA) and University of Maryland as project partners.
Publications & Patents
Aikaterini Konstantoulaki, Maibritt Horning, Tjalfe Egholm Rude, RobertaFabbri, Chiara Lazzarini, Giorgia Conte, AndreaCandini, Marco Caprini, Marcus Schultz Carstensen, Valentina Benfenati, Advanced Photonics Research2026, 7, e202500234. https://doi.org/10.1002/adpr.202500234
Lazzarini C., et al. Label-Free Molecular Characterization of Protein Aggregates in Differentiated Astrocytes. Advanced Science13, no. 16 (2026): e15228. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202515228;
Roberta Fabbri, Karima Jeneh Perry, Emanuela Saracino, Chiara Lazzarini, Anna Mariano, DilettaSpennato, Maria Grazia Mola, Maria Grazia Raucci, Alessandro Kovtun, Marianna Barbalinardo, Giorgia Conte, Denis Gentili, Marco Caprini, Vincenzo Palermo, Roberto Zamboni, Luigi Ambrosio, Wolfgang Losert, Andrea Candini, Grazia Paola Nicchia, Raj K.Gupta, Valentina Benfenati, Shashi P.Karna,” Protein-Template Gold Nanoclusters Induce Differentiation and Modify the Functional Properties of Primary Astrocytes”, Advanced NanoBiomed Research (2026), 0, e202500194. https://doi.org/10.1002/anbr.202500194
Lazzarini C., et al. Label-Free Molecular Characterization of Protein Aggregates in Differentiated Astrocytes. Advanced Science13, no. 16 (2026): e15228. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202515228;
Roberta Fabbri, Karima Jeneh Perry, Emanuela Saracino, Chiara Lazzarini, Anna Mariano, DilettaSpennato, Maria Grazia Mola, Maria Grazia Raucci, Alessandro Kovtun, Marianna Barbalinardo, Giorgia Conte, Denis Gentili, Marco Caprini, Vincenzo Palermo, Roberto Zamboni, Luigi Ambrosio, Wolfgang Losert, Andrea Candini, Grazia Paola Nicchia, Raj K.Gupta, Valentina Benfenati, Shashi P.Karna,” Protein-Template Gold Nanoclusters Induce Differentiation and Modify the Functional Properties of Primary Astrocytes”, Advanced NanoBiomed Research (2026), 0, e202500194. https://doi.org/10.1002/anbr.202500194