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Marina Maritati
Laboratory Research Technician
I graduated from University of Catania in Molecular Biology (110/110) and during this time I have investigated the expression of tissue Transglutaminase in epileptic mice induced by Kindling. Subsequently I moved to the University of Padova for a fellowship, where I have continued the study, expanding the investigation to the mitochondrial activity and the apoptosis in different tissues in mice and rats. This study was published in 2009 (“Role of Tissue Transglutaminase in Neuronal Plasticity during Kindling”). During the same period I have also studied the effect of melatonin in rat mitochondria, and the study was published in 2011 (“Interactions of melatonin with mammalian mitochondria. Reducer of energy capacity and amplifier of permeability transition”). I then moved to the University of Siena to complete my PhD in Cell Biology and Pathophysiology, which was focused on the organisation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in rat skeletal muscle cells. In particular, I worked on cell cultures and I learned how to conduct some live imaging techniques such as FRAP and FRET. The study was published in 2014 (“Distinct regions of triadin are required for targeting and retention at the junctional domain of the sarcoplasmic reticulum”).
In 2012 I moved to the UK and I started to work as a research support officer for MRC Harwell. My main duty was to culture mouse ES cells for blastocyst microinjection, but during these years I also had many other different responsibilities, such as isolation and amplification of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEF) and their deactivation by MIT C, maintenance of cell culture labs and various equipment, sample and data management/tracking, and training new members of staff. I have also some different qualifications such as the Home Office Licence (modules 1-4). In March 2017 I joined the Royal Society of Biology as a registered scientist with the Science Council.
In July 2017 I joined the Botnar Research Centre, to work as a Laboratory Research Technician with Prof. Udo Opperman. I work alongside the team on the project investigating uterine fibroids, in order to better understand this condition and find new ways of treatment.