The definition of the motivation for the Prize is a bit abstruse, but it is worth reporting it literally because it encompasses what Laura Marongiu, 35, from Nuoro, did as part of her scientific research to be able to receive this important recognition at the Bicocca in Milan: " For the study of the role of both inositols in the immunological response and of dendritic cells during the pathogenesis of Covid-19 ".
This is the motivation addressed to the scientist from Nuoro, at the ceremony for the "Young Talents", sixth edition, which was attended by the rector Giovanna Iannantuoni and the president emeritus of the Accademia dei Lincei, Alberto Quadrio Curzio. This is an award reserved for research fellows and researchers under 36 from the Milanese University based on the quality, originality and impact of scientific production. There were 99 applications for seven subject macro-areas, and the fellows will receive a diploma and funding for their activity.
The Sardinian researcher arrived at an important discovery relating to the Cd14 receptor, in particular, "a molecular event or rather a series of molecular mechanisms that this receptor induces when it comes into contact with bacteria", explains the young woman to L'Unione Sarda , who until maturity at Fermi di Nuoro lived in his hometown and "where I would like to return, but to do this job".
What exactly does this molecular event consist of?
“When bacteria come into contact with our body, there are cells called 'sentinels', they are the dendritic ones, which sense the presence of something foreign and are activated to induce an immune response that allows us to fight the bacterium. The Cd14 receptor was already known in reality, but it was not known that it could sense the bacterial components and activate an immune response ".
How important is this discovery?
“A lot, because in the case of a pathology in which the inflammation is too extensive, it must be stopped. For this we take anti-inflammatories. Discovering new mechanisms will allow us to have new drugs in the future, let's call them third generation ".
Have you taken into consideration particular cases?
“Yes, we looked at a disease where inflammation is exaggerated: rheumatoid arthritis. If the inflammatory mechanism is blocked, there is consequently an improvement in the pathology ".
Will your research have a concrete impact on people's daily lives?
“Certainly, even in those for example that undergo a transplant, the dendritic cells are activated by the presence of another person's organ. The drugs currently used have many side effects because they act on all cells, while the mechanism we have proposed allows to block the process selectively with nanoparticles. In short, we greatly reduce the non-specific effects ".
What will be the next step, new drugs?
“We take care of the previous phase, now we are at the stage of studying the effects. We have patented the molecule, pharmaceutical companies could buy the patent and then produce new drugs, a bit like what happened with vaccines against Covid ".
Is there a link between your work and the coronavirus?
“We have studied both mouse and human dendritic cells, and we have seen that in the case of positive patients these malfunction, adaptive immunity is not activated. In practice, the research will allow new developments in the knowledge of the immunopathology of the disease ".
Would the opportunity to reach these goals in Sardinia have been missed?
“Probably yes, or rather, it would have been difficult to obtain the same results at the same time. When I left Sardinia I was aware that this is a difficult job to do in Italy, perhaps on the impossible island. I went to Bicocca University because I wanted to work with Francesca Granucci, one of the most important immunologists. When you choose a university, you are aware that you may face a great sacrifice but on days like today or when you look under the microscope and discover that what you hypothesized corresponds to the truth ... you understand that it was worth it ".
How many "brain drain" did you think it might one day come back?
“Absolutely yes, it would be my dream. Bringing my experience to my land, establishing new technologies and adding what Sardinia may lack in the immunological field and making Sardinian universities more competitive ".
In your curriculum there are experiences abroad, have you ever felt like an emigrant?
"Everyday. Life in Milan is very different from that of Nuoro, which I miss a lot. When I was in the United States the nostalgia was even stronger because that is just another world. From quiet and more 'genuine' days I have moved on to a chaotic and accelerated style, with my mind always on the move. And then the sea, to see it now I have to drive for at least two hours, and in any case the colors are completely different, certainly not those of my Sardinia ".
