Selene Ingusci, PhD
- Postdoctoral Associate
Why did you choose the University of Pittsburgh?
I choose the University Pittsburgh predominantly to join professor Glorioso’s team for its intensive research conducted on the biology and genetics of herpes simplex virus.
Education & Training
- PhD in Molecular Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Ferrara (Italy), 2019
- BS in Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara (Italy), 2015
Research Interests
Development of Herpes Simplex type I viral (HSV) vectors capable of exploiting gene editing systems (e.g. CRISPR) to modify the expression of genes that regulate cellular innate responses to HSV infection and permit robust growth of both oncolytic viruses and highly defective gene vectors. Study of the structure/function of HSV envelope glycoproteins to create viruses with novel tropisms for tumor cells. In the case of oncolytic HSV we are trying to achieve specific infection and replication in human glioblastomas and applications to treatment of xenograft models of human brain tumors. Finally, HSV vectors tumor specific replication can be further enhanced by microRNA control. Engineering of viral miRNA encoding functions designed to reduce the spread of infection from infected cells to uninfected cells can facilitate oHSV spreading through the tumor mass.
Publications
Ingusci S, Verlengia G, Soukupova M, Zucchini S and Simonato M. 2019. Gene Therapy Tools for Brain Diseases. Front Pharmacol. 10: 724. | View abstract
Ingusci S, Cattaneo S, Verlengia G, Zucchini S and Simonato M. 2019. A Matter of Genes: The Hurdles of Gene Therapy for Epilepsy. Epilepsy Curr. 19: 28-43. | View abstract
Soukupova M, Falcicchia C, Lovisari F, Ingusci S, Barbieri M, Zucchini S and Simonato M. 2018. Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats, J Vis Exp. 141: doi: 10.3791/58455 | View abstract
Han F, Miyagawa Y, Verlengia G, Ingusci S, Soukupova M, Simonato M, Glorioso JC and Cohen JB. 2018. Cellular Antisilencing Elements Support Transgene Expression from Herpes Simplex Virus Vectors in the Absence of Immediate Early Gene Expression. J Virol. 92: doi:10.1128/JVI.00536-18 | View abstract
Verlengia G, Miyasawa Y, Ingusci S, Cohen JB, Simonato M and Glorioso JC. 2017. Engineered HSV vector achieves safe long-term transgene expression in the central nervous system. Sci Rep. 7: 1507. | View abstract