Dr. Michela Deleidi

A central focus of our team is to unravel how genetic vulnerabilities, environmental exposures, and immune dysregulation intersect to drive the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. We aim to move beyond isolated systems by integrating multi-organ and multi-scale models that capture the dynamic interactions between the nervous, immune, and metabolic systems. This holistic approach enables us to dissect shared and disease-specific mechanisms that underlie both rare and common neurodegenerative conditions.

To achieve this, we develop advanced experimental platforms using human pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal and glial models, three-dimensional brain organoids, and organ-on-chip systems that mimic neuro-immune and neuro-metabolic interactions. By integrating single-cell omics, spatial transcriptomics, and multimodal data analysis, we seek to identify early molecular signatures of neurodegeneration and validate novel therapeutic targets.

Ultimately, our goal is to bridge mechanistic discovery with clinical translation by transforming complex biological data into actionable insights for precision medicine. Through this integrative and interdisciplinary framework, we aim to develop predictive biomarkers and preventive interventions that can mitigate disease risk, delay progression, and improve outcomes for patients.