Flavia | Molecular Biology | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Flavia| Molecular Biology | Young Scientist Award

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ«Profile Summary

Flavia Scoyni is a highly accomplished researcher in molecular medicine, specializing in non-coding RNAs and their role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and ischemic stroke. With a Ph.D. from the University of Eastern Finland under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Programme, Flavia has extensive experience in experimental techniques such as scRNA-seq, FACS, and animal modeling. Their work has been published in prestigious journals and recognized with numerous grants and fellowships. Flavia’s expertise in molecular biology, cell culture, and animal work, coupled with a strong track record of securing research funding, positions them as a valuable asset in the field of translational medicine.

šŸŒ Professional Profiles

šŸŽ“Education:

Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland Duration: Dec 2017 – Feb 2024 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Programme in Genetics and Mechanisms in Translational Medicine (GENOMMED) Advisor: Prof. Tarja Malm Dissertation: “Unlocking the potential of non-coding RNAs in regulating neurodegeneration – a glimpse into Alzheimerā€™s disease and ischemic stroke pathophysiology.” Ph.D. secondment Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark Duration: Sept 2018 – Feb 201 Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Thomas B. Hansen Funded by Saastamoinen Foundation travel grant FELASA accreditationUniversity of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland May 2017 Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) Certificate in laboratory animal science for EU Functions A/D MSc in Molecular Biology “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy Duration: Oct 2013 – Dec 2015 Master Degree in Molecular Biology Graduated magna cum laude (110/110 cum laude) Advisor: Prof. Alessandro Fatica Thesis title: “Identification of new transcriptional targets of p30 C/EBPĪ± transcription factor isoform in acute myeloid leukemia” MSc in Genetics University Paris-Diderot VII, Paris, France Duration: Oct 2013 – June 2015 BSc in Biotechnology “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy Duration: Oct 2010 – July 2013 Bachelor degree in Biotechnology Graduated magna cum laude (110/110 cum laude) Advisor: Prof. Carlo Presutti Thesis title: “The role of the mir-200 family in the regulation of the expression of AP1 transcriptional factor”

šŸ”¬Research Experience:

Early stage researcher Professor Tarja Malm University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences Jan 2017 ā€“ Dec 2017 Investigated the role of microRNAs in phagocytic microglia isolated from adult Alzheimerā€™s mice. Developed techniques including ex-vivo FACS, low input RNA extraction, cloning, qPCR, and protocol for transfection for hard-to-transfect cell lines. Conducted animal procedures to harvest brain samples or acutely isolate adult microglia. Erasmus traineeship Biotech Research & Innovation Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark Oct 2016 – June 2016 Developed a transgenic stable cell line for long non-coding RNAs. Applied techniques such as cloning of long inserts, lentiviral vector production, and stable cell line development. Master thesis Professor Alessandro Fatica “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy June 2014 – Dec 2015 Investigated the regulation of the long non-coding RNA UCA1 mediated by C/EBPĪ± transcription factor in the K562 lymphoblast cell line. Applied techniques including ChIP, cloning, RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, WB, transfection, CRISPR-Cas9, and stable cell line development. Master Internship Professor Giuseppe Macino “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy Sept 2013 – March 2014 Studied microRNAs inducing epigenetic modifications in mammals.Applied techniques such as ChIP, cloning, mutagenesis, RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, WB, CRISPR-Cas9, and stable cell line development. Bachelor thesis Professor Carlo Presutti “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy Oct 2012 – July 2013 Investigated the role of the miR-200a family in regulating c-JUN transcription factor expression. Utilized techniques including cloning, mutagenesis, bacterial transformation, and cell line culture.

šŸ’» Technical Skills:

Molecular biology techniques such as scRNA-seq, RNA-seq, FACS, cloning, RT-qPCR, WB, lentiviral vectors generation. Cell culture techniques including neuronal culture, primary microglial culture, transduction, transfection, and stable cell line development. Animal work including FELASA A/D certification, maintenance, and breeding of transgenic mouse models, animal procedures, and tamoxifen-induced recombination. Statistical analysis, basic Python, and R.

šŸ†Fellowships, Awards, and Honors:

  • Secured total grants of 99.000ā‚¬ during Ph.D., including grants from Pavo Nuermen Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Kuopio University Foundation, and others.

šŸ‘©ā€šŸ« Teaching Experience:

  • Mentored a Ph.D. student and post-graduate student, and supervised five master’s thesis students during the Ph.D. program.

šŸ“šTop Noted Publication

  1. ciRS-7 and miR-7 regulate ischemia-induced neuronal death via glutamatergic signaling
    • Journal: Cell Reports
    • Year: 2024-03
    • DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113862
    • Contributors: Flavia Scoyni; Valeriia Sitnikova; Luca Giudice; Paula Korhonen; Davide M. Trevisan; Ana Hernandez de Sande; Mireia Gomez-Budia; Raisa Giniatullina; Irene F. Ugidos; Hiramani Dhungana et al.

 

  1. Alzheimer’s disease-induced phagocytic microglia express a specific profile of coding and non-coding RNAs
    • Journal: Alzheimer’s & Dementia
    • Year: 2024-02
    • DOI: 10.1002/alz.13502
    • Contributors: Flavia Scoyni; Luca Giudice; Mari-Anna VƤƤnƤnen; Nicholas Downes; Paula Korhonen; Xin Yi Choo; Nelli-Noora VƤlimƤki; Petri MƤkinen; Nea Korvenlaita; Annemieke J Rozemuller et al.

 

  1. ciRS-7 and miR-7 regulate ischemia induced neuronal death via glutamatergic signaling
    • Journal: Preprint
    • Year: 2023-01-24
    • DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.24.525136
    • Contributors: Flavia Scoyni; Valeriia Sitnikova; Luca Giudice; Paula Korhonen; Davide M Trevisan; Ana Hernandez de Sande; Mireia Gomez-Budia; Raisa Giniatullina; Irene F Ugidos; Hiramani Dhungana et al.

 

  1. Intracerebral overexpression of miR-669c is protective in mouse ischemic stroke model by targeting MyD88 and inducing alternative microglial/macrophage activation
    • Journal: Journal of Neuroinflammation
    • Year: 2020
    • DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01870-w
    • Contributors: Kolosowska, N.; Gotkiewicz, M.; Dhungana, H.; Giudice, L.; Giugno, R.; Box, D.; Huuskonen, M.T.; Korhonen, P.; Scoyni, F.; Kanninen, K.M. et al.

 

  1. PSEN1Ī”E9, APPswe, and APOE4 Confer Disparate Phenotypes in Human iPSC-Derived Microglia
    • Journal: Stem Cell Reports
    • Year: 2019
    • DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.08.004
    • Contributors: Konttinen, H.; Cabral-da-Silva, M.E.C.; Ohtonen, S.; Wojciechowski, S.; Shakirzyanova, A.; Caligola, S.; Giugno, R.; Ishchenko, Y.; HernĆ”ndez, D.; Fazaludeen, M.F. et al.