Name: Natascia Ruggeri

Host Organisation: Biberach University of Applied Science, Germany

Project Title: Analysis of mAb transport and its dependency on Fc-interacting molecules in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Katharina Zimmermann

Objectives of the Project:

The overall goal of this project is the analysis of the transmucosal pathway through the nasal mucosa and the role of specific mucosal carriers.

The specific goals are:

  1. Molecular understanding of intranasal transmucosal delivery of antibodies to the CNS;
  2. Supporting the tailoring of antibodies or Fc fusion proteins according to the identified molecules involved in transport and immune interaction for an optimal and safe transport (antibody engineering);
  3. Cell line development and manufacturing of up to three engineered mAbs.

Short Biography:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Università del Piemonte Orientale
  • Master’s degree in Neurobiology from Università di Pavia
  • Internship for bachelor`s thesis at the Umberto Parini hospital in Aosta in collaboration with the Consiglio Nazionale della Ricerca (CNR) to study acute exposure to hypoxia and oxidative stress
  • 1-year internship for master’s thesis at  Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) on  Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) sequencing and bioinformatic analyzes of gene variants associated with Parkinson’s disease