Research activities
Embryo differentiation but also cancer and tissue homeostasis are supported by the extracellular matrix which has not only a structural but also a functional role, such as the presentation of bioactive molecules.
My goal is to mimic the natural presentation of these bioactive molecules, such as growth factors and chemokines, by presenting them on biomimetic platforms, together with other extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion proteins or via ECM glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).
The control over the surface amount of each component is obtained by the implementation of surface sensitive techniques, such as QCM-D, spectroscopic ellipsometry and SPR.
Since 2015 I have been looking at the effect on cellular differentiation of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) immobilized alone on the biomimetic platforms or bound to heparan sulfate (HS) GAGs. I’ve already proved that the orientation of HS, as it is in vivo grafted to core proteins, forming proteoglycans, is fundamental to reveal some important functions of HS, such as an enhanced effect of BMP-2 biological activity. The mechanism of interaction between HS and BMP-2 is still unknown and it will be the focus of my future studies.
Since 2017, in line with the interests of IMBM group, I’ve been working on increasing the complexity of these biomimetic platforms by adding adhesion ligands, necessary for long cell culture and for future regenerative medicine applications.Activities / Resume
February 2017 - ongoing: Researcher
Lab: LMGP, Grenoble, France
2015-2017: Marie Curie fellow
Lab: Max Planck (MPI), Stuttgart, Germany
and PCI, Heidelberg university, Germany
Advisors: Prof Joachim Spatz and Prof Ada Cavalcanti-Adam
2012-2014: Post-doctorate (Nanoscience foundation)
Lab: DCM, UJA, Grenoble, France
Advisor: Prof Ralf Richter
2009-2012: PhD
Lab: IOM-CNR, Trieste, Italy
Advisor: Dr Marco Lazzarino
Publications as first author: Migliorini E, Weidenhaupt M., Picart C., A practical guide to characterize biomolecule adsorption on solid surfaces (review). Biointerphases J. 2018;Migliorini E, Horn P, Haraszti T, Wegner S.V, Hiepen C, Knaus P, Richter PR and Cavalcanti-Adam EA. Enhanced biological activity of BMP-2 bound to surface-grafted heparan sulfate. Adv Biosys J. 2017; Migliorini E*, Valat A*, Picart C, Cavalcanti-Adam E.A. Tuning cellular responses to BMP-2 with material surfaces. CGFR Review. 2015; Migliorini E, Thakar D, Kühnle J, Sadir R, Dyer DP, Li Y, Sun C, Volkman BF, Handel TM, Coche-Guerente L, Fernig DG, Lortat-Jacob H, Richter RP. Cytokines and growth factors cross-link heparan sulfate. Open Biol. 2015; Migliorini E*, Thakar D*, Sadir R, Pleiner T, Baleux F, Lortat-Jacob H, Coche-Guerente L, Richter RP. Well-defined biomimetic surfaces to characterize glycosaminoglycan-mediated interactions on the molecular, supramolecular and cellular levels. Biomaterials. 2014 Oct; Migliorini E., Ban J., Grenci G., Andolfi L., Pozzato A., Tormen M., Torre V., Lazzarino M. Nanomechaniccontrolsneuronalprecursorsadhesion and differentiation. BiotechnolBioeng. 2013 Aug Migliorini E., Grenci G., Ban J., Pozzato A., Tormen M., Lazzarino M., Torre V., Ruaro ME. Acceleration of neuronal precursors differentiation induced by substrate nanotopography. Biotech and Bioeng. 108(11):2736-2746. 2011 Nov Migliorini E., Ban J., Di Foggia V., Ruaro ME., Torre V., Pozzato A., Grenci G., Tormen M, Lazzarino M. Effect of nanopatterned substrates on growth cones activity. Eur Biophys .J. (Suppl 1) 2009 Oct. S89 Ban J*, Migliorini E*, Di Foggia V, Lazzarino M, Ruaro ME, Torre V. Fragmentation as a mechanism for growth cone pruning and degeneration. Stem Cells Dev. 20(6):1031-41. 2011 Jun |