Immune and Metabolic Control of Nervous System Physiology and Repair

Abstract

The speaker will talk about immunological and metabolic mechanisms that contribute to sensorimotor function in physiological and disease states such as neuronal injuries. He will discuss the role of innate and adaptive immunity in the context of metabolic variables related to diet and exercise. He will also show how macrophages, neutrophils and T cells communicate with sensory neurons and how they assume environment specific molecular signatures. Finally, he will discuss short- and long- term implications for physiology and disease.

About the speaker

Prof. Simone Di Giovanni studied Medicine at La Sapienza University and received his Neurology training at Catholic University in Rome. He obtained his PhD in Neuroscience from La Sapienza University in 2005. He did his postdoctoral training at Georgetown University during 2001-2004 where he became a Research Instructor in 2004-2006. In 2006, he moved to the University of Tuebingen as a Research Group Leader, where he was also a Consultant Clinician in stroke and general neurology. He joined Imperial College London in 2013 and is currently the James W. Hartnett Chair in Restorative Neuroscience in the Department of Brain Sciences.

Prof. Di Giovanni’s research aims to investigate the molecular signaling mechanisms that discriminate between axonal regeneration and regenerative failure including following peripheral and spinal cord injuries respectively. His work can have broad implications for conditions spanning from traumatic, vascular, inflammatory, degenerative and metabolic (such as diabetes) damage to the spinal cord, spinal roots and peripheral nerves.

Prof. Di Giovanni holds an honorary post within the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK as a Consultant in Neurology. He is also a Member of the Adelson Medical Research Foundation. He was listed as Top Researcher by Rosetrees Trust in 2021.

For Attendees' Attention

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