Antonella De Cola

Research Interests

I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Pathania Lab, where I have been working since the lab’s establishment in 2019. My research focuses on pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG), a group of highly aggressive and currently incurable brain tumors often driven by clonal mutations in histone genes and associated molecular alterations. During my time in the lab, I contributed to the development of models recapitulating pHGG, including a panel representing 16 molecular subtypes driven by defined genetic alterations. These models have provided key insights into subtype-specific biology and therapeutic opportunities. My current research is centered on diffuse hemispheric gliomas (DHG), with the goal of uncovering the molecular mechanisms that drive tumor growth and maintenance. Using these models alongside integrative omics approaches, I aim to identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities that can be targeted with precision treatments, with the ultimate objective of translating these findings into clinical applications.

Background

I completed my PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy), in the laboratory of Gerry Melino. My research focused on the generation of a knockout model targeting a protein involved in histone transcription and cell cycle regulation, as well as on the characterization of its phenotypic effects. I then undertook my first postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Vincenzo De Laurenzi, where I investigated in vitro and in vivo the role of microRNAs in regulating survival, differentiation, and therapy resistance in patient-derived cancer stem cells. These experiences provided me with a strong foundation in molecular and cellular cancer biology, as well as expertise in genetic and functional modeling approaches, and inspired my commitment to investigating rare and aggressive cancers, particularly pediatric brain tumors, where there remains a critical unmet clinical need.