The National Research Council (CNR) is Italy’s largest public research institution and the only one under the Research Ministry with multidisciplinary activities. Founded in 1923, its mission is to conduct research in its Institutes, support national industrial innovation and competitiveness, foster internationalization of the research system, provide technological solutions for public and private needs, advise government bodies, and help develop human resources. CNR’s main asset is its people: over 8,000 employees, more than half of them researchers and technologists. About 4,000 young researchers pursue postgraduate studies and training within CNR’s priority areas, supported also by research associates from universities and private firms.
In PHOENIX, CNR is responsible for establishing and validating the cellular components of the neuromuscular circuitries that will populate the Consortium’s microfluidic devices. CNR has developed robust protocols to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells into sensory neurons, motor neurons, and mature muscle fibers with high efficiency. It will optimize the conditions required to culture these cells within the chip microenvironment and assess their functional properties as integrated neuromuscular circuits. This platform will then be used to uncover pathological defects in circuits derived from Friedreich’s ataxia patient–specific stem cells.
Main contributions and activities:
Vania Broccoli – Principal Investigator
Sharon Muggeo – Researcher
Elena Melacini – Researcher
