A5065459687- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- Retinal Diseases and Treatments
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Marine animal studies overview
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Retinopathy of Prematurity Studies
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- ATP Synthase and ATPases Research
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Congenital heart defects research
- Echinoderm biology and ecology
- Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
University of Padua
2016-2025
University of Genoa
2021
University of Bari Aldo Moro
2017
University of Victoria
2006
Ciona intestinalis is considered a widespread and easily recognizable tunicate, the sister group of vertebrates. In recent years, molecular studies suggested that C. includes at least two cryptic species, named 'type A' B', morphologically indistinguishable. It dramatic to certify different species may be hidden under name widely used as model in biological researches. This raised problem identifying diagnostic morphological characters capable distinguishing these types. We compared...
The cosmopolitan ascidian Ciona intestinalis is the most common model species of Tunicata, sister-group Vertebrata, and widely used in developmental biology, genomics evolutionary studies. Recently, molecular studies suggested presence cryptic hidden within C. species, namely type A B. So far, no substantial morphological differences have been identified between individuals belonging to two types. Here we present morphometric, immunohistochemical, histological analyses, as well 3-D...
Botryllus schlosseri is a widespread colonial ascidian commonly considered cosmopolitan and amply used as model for researches ranging from developmental biology to immunobiology. Recently, molecular data lead hypothesize that the species named B. may consist of more than single taxon. Indeed, five highly divergent clades, A-E, have been genetically identified are referred cryptic species. In this context, lacking both type detailed morphological description, we believe it necessary,...
A novel hydrogel scaffold for bone regeneration based on chitosan, selected its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial properties, was covalently functionalized with a bioactive peptide from morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) to guide osteoblast growth proliferation. This study evaluates the impact of incorporating different concentrations (8, 16, or 24% wt/wt) plant-based micro-fibrillated cellulose tunicate nanocellulose improve mechanical biological properties peptide-grafted...
The late differentiation of the ectodermal layer is analysed in ascidians Ciona intestinalis and Botryllus schlosseri, by means light electron microscopy, order to verify possible presence placodal structures. Cranial placodes, regions giving rise nonepidermal cell types, are classically found exclusively vertebrates; however, data accumulating demonstrate that nonvertebrate chordates possess both genetic machinery involved placode differentiation, structures homologues vertebrate placodes....
Ontologies provide an important resource to integrate information. For developmental biology and comparative anatomy studies, ontologies of a species are used formalize annotate data that related anatomical structures, their lineage timing development. Here, we have constructed the first ontology for asexual development (blastogenesis) bilaterian, colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri. Tunicates, like schlosseri, non-vertebrates only chordate taxon reproduce both sexually asexually. Their...
Abstract Ciona robusta ( intestinalis type A), a model organism for biological studies, belongs to ascidians, the main class of tunicates, which are closest relatives vertebrates. In , project on ontology both development and anatomy is ongoing several years. Its goal standardize resource relating each anatomical structure developmental stages. Today, codified until hatching larva stage. Here, we present its extension throughout swimming stages, metamorphosis, juvenile For standardizing...
ABSTRACT Adult stem cells (ASCs) in vertebrates and model invertebrates (e.g. Drosophila melanogaster ) are typically long‐lived, lineage‐restricted, clonogenic quiescent with somatic descendants tissue/organ‐restricted activities. Such ASCs mostly rare, morphologically undifferentiated, undergo asymmetric cell division. Characterized by ‘stemness’ gene expression, they can regulate tissue/organ homeostasis, repair regeneration. By contrast, analysis of other animal phyla shows that emerge...
Colonial tunicates are the only chordate that possess two distinct developmental pathways to produce an adult body: either sexually through embryogenesis or asexually a stem cell-mediated renewal termed blastogenesis. Using colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri, we combine transcriptomics and microscopy build atlas of molecular morphological signatures at each stage for both pathways. The general profiles these processes largely distinct. However, relative timing organogenesis ordering...
Abstract A new mechanoreceptor organ, the “coronal organ,” located in oral siphon, is described by light and electron microscopy colonial ascidians Botryllus schlosseri Botrylloides violaceus . It composed of a line sensory cells (hair cells), accompanied supporting cells, that runs continuously along margin velum tentacles siphon. These hair resemble those vertebrate lateral or, general, acoustico‐lateralis system, because they bear single cilium, centrally or eccentrically to bundle...
Ascidian and vertebrate nervous systems share basic characteristics, such as their origin from a neural plate, tripartite regionalization of the brain, expression similar genes during development. In ascidians, larval chordate-like system regresses metamorphosis, adult's complex, composed cerebral ganglion associated gland is formed. Classically, homology with hypophysis has long been debated. We show that in colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, primordium complex consists ectodermal...
Solitary ascidians, such as Ciona robusta , have been used for over a century model systems embryological studies. These species are oviparous, producing many relatively small and transparent eggs, which released fertilized outside the parent body. Embryos develop rapidly in stereotyped manner reach larva stage less than 1 day (at 20°C). The larvae then settle metamorphose into sessile juveniles approximately 2 days. On other hand, colonial ascidians ovoviviparous, with heavily yolked eggs...
Abstract Ascidians are ubiquitous filter‐feeding marine invertebrates, the only animals producing cellulose in their outer tunic, form of a composite structure microfibrils linked to protein matrix. This study reports successful processing Phallusia mammillata , species prevalent Northern Adriatic Sea, into high‐quality nanocellulose (NC). An optimized extraction method followed by chemical modification is applied produce suitable precursors for cellulose‐based products. Structural,...
In adult ascidians, the neural complex consists of a cerebral ganglion (the brain) and associated gland. We have studied development during vegetative reproduction colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, buds which arise from atrial mantle parental zooid. Each bud develops into new organism within becomes differentiated. found that presumptive (pioneer) nerve cells ultimately form as migratory primordial cluster rudimentary gland cells. Hence, appears to be neurogenic in it serves cellular...
The ascidian larva has a central nervous system which shares basic characteristics with craniates, such as tripartite organisation and many developmental genes. One difference, at metamorphosis, is that this chordate-like regresses the adult's neural complex, composed of cerebral ganglion associated gland, forms. It known complex differentiation involves two ectodermal structures, neurohypophysial duct, derived from embryonic tube, stomodeum, i.e. rudiment oral siphon; nevertheless, their...