Dr Romina Vuono

Dr Romina Vuono obtained her first degree (Laurea Magistrale) in Biological Science at the University of Calabria (Italy) in 2003 and MSc (2nd level) in Biotechnology in 2005. Following this, Romina completed her PhD in Molecular Bio-Pathology (Neuroscience) at the same University in 2009. Her PhD thesis focused on the molecular effect of two novel tau mutations identified in a patient with Frontotemporal Dementia. Whilst at the University of Calabria, she was also Teaching Assistant for the Molecular Biology (Biological Sciences degree) and Biotechnology (Biotechnology, MSc 2nd level) courses.

In early 2010, Romina moved to the University of Cambridge and spent 9+ years at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences where she gained a wide experience across the basic and clinical neurosciences. Her post-doctoral research focused mainly on a) the role of tau in Huntington’s disease (HD), showing for the first time a novel role of tau in the pathogenic process and clinical expression of HD, and b) the sleep and circadian phenotype of patients with early-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD). She also contributed to several projects looking at TREM2 as a major determinant of Alzheimer’s disease pathology in Down Syndrome. Beside this, she has been involved in many international collaborations such as the European Consortia (TRANSEURO and NeuroStemCellRepair) looking at the pathology across the PD and HD brain using high throughput technology platforms (Tissue Microarrays) to identify new genetic modifiers. More collaborative external research was conducted with the Laboratories of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Disease (University of Milan, Milan, Italy), Stem Cell Neurobiology (Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden) and the Department of Experimental Medical Science (Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund, Sweden). The above collaborations focused on stem cell work and in particular on 1) the use of foetal tissues to derive cortical and striatal neurons to understand the molecular and functional definition of the developing human striatum; 2) the development of a protocol for the differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons – using human foetal mesencephalic tissue – to be transplanted in patients with PD; 3) culturing human adult skin fibroblasts in order to derive neurons modelling brain diseases in vitro.

Dr Romina Vuono was appointed lecturer in Biological Sciences with specialty in Neurosciences and Brain Diseases at the Medway School of Pharmacy (MSoP), University of Kent, in September 2019. She also holds an Honorary Research Associate position at the University of Cambridge.

SPECIALIST AREAS

Neuropathology, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Neurogenetics, Cognitive Neuroscience, Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology, Traumatic Brain Injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, COVID-19, Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy-Regenerative Medicine, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Research Ethics.

THE LINK BETWEEN HEAD INJURIES AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Research in Dr Vuono’s lab focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanism behind protein misfolding and accumulation in toxic aggregates (e.g. tau tangles, amyloid plaques, Lewy bodies), which may trigger neurodegeneration. We are particularly interested in understanding how environmental factors (e.g. trauma, bacteria, viruses, toxins) interact with genetics and influence the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Our current and ongoing research is looking at the role of tau in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), a widely discussed but poorly understood risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Each year, millions worldwide suffer TBI from road accidents, collision sports and falls. Awareness of the longer-term effects of TBI has increased in recent years with media coverage of repeated head injury in sport which leads to behavioural and cognitive problems. Indeed, extensive tau pathology, similar to that found in AD, has been described in brains of individuals exposed to repetitive head injury such as boxers, football players, and former military personnel with a history of blast- and military related concussion.

CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Vuono offered her expertise in genetics and molecular biology to the North Kent Pathology Service (NKPS) at Darent Valley Hospital (DVH) and helped set up the Covid-19 laboratory and diagnostic molecular protocol for the SARS-CoV-2 testing. Beside this, she has coordinated the generation (still ongoing) of a SARS-CoV-19 bank of samples from people testing positive at NKPS. To date, the bank held over 8000 samples that can allow extensive Covid-19 research.

Despite ground-breaking research and discoveries, scientists and physicians are still puzzled over how SARS-CoV-2 affects the human body, what mechanisms it could trigger and how these lead to long-term complications.

It is still unclear why are some individuals affected more than others with symptoms varying from mild or undetected to very severe requiring hospitalization and in some cases leading to death. Further to this, it is not clear why some people recover within weeks whilst others experience symptoms months after they have tested negative known as Post-Covid-19 Syndrome or long COVID. Among the long COVID symptoms, neurological complications (e.g. impaired concentration, memory problems, sleep problems) are commonly reported. There is a rising concern that this may lead to lasting damage to the brain.

Dr Vuono research aims to unravel the predisposing genetic factors and pathological mechanisms behind the neurological complications of long COVID and determine how this link to long-term health consequences such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Beside the large cohort of samples stored in the SARS-CoV-19 bank, the investigation includes the brain of deceased Covid-19 patients.

When the post-infection mechanisms have been identified, biomarkers and preventive therapeutic strategies can be developed 1) to provide a better care for those suffering Covid-19 and 2) reduce the risk of developing AD later in life.

Study Protocol
Genetic variant analysis of individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2: understanding the link between BAME ethnic background and the higher risk of developing severe COVID-19.