BARBIERO ISABELLA

Personal Information
Family name: Barbiero
First name: Isabella
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2213-7932
Scopus Author ID: 56507282700

Education
• 10/12/2015 – PhD in Neurobiology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. Advisor: Prof. Daniela Parolaro.
• 04/07/2012 – MSc in Biology Applied to Biomedical Research, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. Supervisor: Prof. Nicoletta Landsberger. Final grade: 110/110 summa cum laude.
• 02/2009 – BSc in Molecular Biology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. Supervisor: Prof. Charlotte Kilstrup-Nielsen. Final grade: 102/110.
Current Positions
• 03/2023 – present: Fixed-term Researcher type A (RTDA), Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
• 09/2022 – present: Lecturer of the course “RNA-based experimental approaches” (MSc in Biomedical Sciences), DBSV, University of Insubria.
• 03/2022 – present: Lecturer of Molecular Biology (SSD BIO/11) for the BSc in Biological Sciences, DBSV, University of Insubria.
• 2019 – present: “Cultore della materia” for the courses “Epigenetic control of gene expression” (MSc in Biomedical Sciences) and Molecular Biology (BSc in Biological Sciences), DBSV, University of Insubria.
Previous Positions
• 2020–2021: Postdoctoral researcher (senior grant, PI: Isabella Barbiero), Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, PI: Prof. C. Kilstrup-Nielsen, University of Insubria, Italy.
• 2018–2020: Postdoctoral researcher (senior grant, PI: Isabella Barbiero), Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, University of Insubria, Italy.
• Jan–Feb 2019: Visiting scientist, Trinity Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
• Jan 2016–Apr 2018: Postdoctoral fellow, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, University of Insubria, Italy.
• Oct 2012–Dec 2015: PhD student in Neurobiology, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, University of Insubria, Italy.
Selected Grants
• 2022–2025 – Cariplo–Telethon Alliance (GJC2021), “Functional characterization of the InSyn1–CDKL5 interaction for dystrophin/dystroglycan complex–dependent inhibitory synapse formation” (€190,410), PI.
• 2023–2025 – Banca d’Italia, “Generation and morpho-functional analysis of neuronal and cellular models carrying pathological CDKL5 mutations” (€30,000), PI.
• 2023–ongoing – Associazione CDKL5 Insieme verso la Cura, “Generation of cellular and human neuronal models carrying CDKL5 pathological mutations” (€30,000), PI.
• 2024–2025 – University of Insubria (FAR 2023), “Gut deficits in CDKL5 deficiency disorder: analysis of the CLIP170–IQGAP1–NINEIN complex” (€25,000), PI.
• 2025–ongoing – Associazione CDKL5 Insieme verso la Cura, “Investigation of Wild-Type CDKL5 Expression in the Presence of Endogenous Mutant CDKL5” (€17,000), PI.
• 2026–ongoing – Cariplo–Telethon Alliance (GJC25F077), “CCK+ interneurons in CDKL5 deficiency disorder: characterization of the InSyn1–DGC complex in early brain maturation” (€227,350), PI.
Fellowships and Awards
• 2019: Fellowship, “10th International Meeting on Steroids and Nervous System,” Turin, Italy.
• 2018: Selected for the “CDKL5 Forum Junior Award,” Loulou Foundation, London, UK (USD 10,000).
• 2013: Francesco de Luca International Master Thesis Prize, Rotary Club Sesto Calende Angera, Italy (€4,000).
Publications
1. Baldin S, Carmone C, Valetti G, De Rosa R, Barbiero I. CDKL5 regulates the initiation of retrograde axonal transport through CLIP170-dynactin complex formation. FEBS Journal. 2025.
2. De Rosa R, Valastro S, Cambria C, Barbiero I, Puricelli C, Tramarin M, Randi S, Bianchi M, Antonucci F, Kilstrup-Nielsen C. Loss of CDKL5 causes synaptic GABAA-receptor defects that can be restored with the neuroactive steroid pregnenolone-methyl-ether. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022.
3. Barbiero I*, Zamberletti E, Tramarin M, Gabaglio M, Peroni D, De Rosa R, Baldin S, Bianchi M, Rubino T, Kilstrup-Nielsen C*. Pregnenolone-methyl-ether enhances CLIP170 and microtubule functions improving spine maturation and hippocampal deficits related to CDKL5 deficiency. Human Molecular Genetics. 2022. (*co-corresponding author)
4. Barbiero I, Bianchi M, Kilstrup-Nielsen C. Therapeutic potential of pregnenolone and pregnenolone methyl ether on depressive and CDKL5 deficiency disorders. Journal of Neuroendocrinology. 2022.
5. Trovò L, Fuchs C, De Rosa R, Barbiero I, Tramarin M, Ciani E, Rusconi L, Kilstrup-Nielsen C. The green tea polyphenol EGCG restores CDKL5-dependent synaptic defects in vitro and in vivo. Neurobiology of Disease. 2020.
6. Barbiero I, Peroni D, Siniscalchi P, Rusconi L, Tramarin M, De Rosa R, Motta P, Bianchi M, Kilstrup-Nielsen C. Pregnenolone and pregnenolone-methyl-ether rescue neuronal defects caused by dysfunctional CLIP170. Neuropharmacology. 2020.
7. Barbiero I, De Rosa R, Kilstrup-Nielsen C. Microtubules: a key to understand and correct neuronal defects in CDKL5 deficiency disorder. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019.
8. Zamberletti E et al. Cannabidivarin completely rescues cognitive deficits and delays neurological and motor defects in male Mecp2 mutant mice. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2019.
9. Tramarin M et al. The antidepressant tianeptine reverts synaptic AMPA receptor defects caused by deficiency of CDKL5. Human Molecular Genetics. 2018.
10. Barbiero I et al. The neurosteroid pregnenolone reverts microtubule derangement induced by the loss of a functional CDKL5-IQGAP1 complex. Human Molecular Genetics. 2017.
11. Barbiero I et al. CDKL5 localizes at the centrosome and midbody and is required for faithful cell division. Scientific Reports. 2017.
12. Stefanelli G et al. Brain phosphorylation of MeCP2 at serine 164 is developmentally regulated and globally alters its chromatin association. Scientific Reports. 2016.
13. La Montanara P et al. Synaptic synthesis, dephosphorylation, and degradation: a novel paradigm for an activity-dependent neuronal control of CDKL5. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2015.
14. Bergo A et al. Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 localizes at the centrosome and is required for proper mitotic spindle organization. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2015.
15. Bellini E et al. MeCP2 post-translational modifications: a mechanism to control its involvement in synaptic plasticity and homeostasis. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 2014.
Oral Presentations
1. Invited speaker – “RETT SYNDROME: BEYOND GENE THERAPY,” Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, November 8–9, 2024. Title: Microtubule-associated defects as a functional tool to study the consequences of CDKL5 mutations.
2. Selected speaker – “CDKL5 Forum 2023,” London, UK, November 6–7, 2023. Title: CDKL5 regulates the initiation of retrograde transport via CLIP170-dynactin interaction.
3. Invited speaker – “CDKL5 Family Day,” Rome, Italy, June 17–19, 2022. Title: CDKL5 and neuronal communication: a delicate balance between excitation and inhibition.
4. Invited speaker – “Steroids and Nervous System: Virtual International Meeting,” February 25–26, 2021. Title: Mechanism of action and therapeutic potential of pregnenolone-methyl ether (PME) on synaptic and cognitive defects associated with CDKL5 deficiency disorder.
5. Selected speaker – “Scientific Day,” Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, September 16, 2020. Title: Molecular mechanisms and target-based strategy to correct microtubule derangement in vitro and in vivo models of CDKL5 deficiency disorder.
6. Invited speaker – “FOCUS ON CDKL5,” Turin, Italy, November 18–19, 2016. Title: CDKL5 and IQGAP1: tracing the track for therapeutic strategies?
Supervision of Graduate and Postgraduate Students
• 2021–present: Co-supervisor of 16 experimental theses (MSc in Biomedical Sciences; BSc in Biological Sciences) and co-supervisor of 3 PhD students in the PhD program in Experimental and Translational Medicine, University of Insubria.
Teaching Activities
• Lecturer of the course “RNA-based experimental approaches” (MSc in Biomedical Sciences), University of Insubria.
• Lecturer of Molecular Biology (SSD BIO/11) for the BSc in Biological Sciences, University of Insubria.
Institutional Responsibilities
• 2023–present: Member of the Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria.
• 2023–present: Member of the MSc in Biomedical Sciences Award Committee.
• 2023–present: Auditor in the PhD Board in Experimental and Translational Medicine; organizer of the course “Techniques for Neuroscience.”
Reviewing Activities
• Reviewer for Molecules, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (MDPI), and PLOS ONE.
• Guest Editor for International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067).
Memberships of Scientific Societies
• 2022–present: Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SIBBM)
• 2017: Society for Neuroscience (SfN)
• 2014: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS)
Major Collaborations
Angelisa Frasca (University of Milan); Massimiliano Bianchi (Trinity College Dublin); Silvia Russo (Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan); Cristina Giaroni (University of Insubria); Domenica Battaglia (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS).
International Research Experience and Collaborations
• 01/2019–02/2019: Visiting scientist, Trinity College Dublin – analysis of post-translational modifications of microtubules as potential biomarkers for CDKL5 deficiency disorder.
• 06/2024–12/2024: Research agreement with Ulysses Neuroscience Ltd., Trinity College Dublin – project: “Effects of new molecules on mouse cortical primary neurons.”