Mara Vinci: "My fight against cancer from Europe to the Child Jesus"



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FASANO – Mara Vinci, researcher and biologist, studies pediatric brain tumors, and is Fasanese. He works from May 2017 at "Bambino Gesù" in Rome. Graduated in Biology from the University of Bari in 2002, she then obtained a scholarship to work at the Institute of the Italian Foundation for Research Against Cancer – Molecular Oncology in Milan in the laboratory of tumor angiogenesis. After working and studying in several parts of Europe (first in Germany, then in London and now in Rome), a team of young researchers is currently conducting research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the growth of brain tumors. 19659002] Today – July 2 – in the scientific journal Nature Medicine one of the largest in the world, an important article is published on his work. The study was conducted during the research of the Fasanese biologist at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, in the laboratory of Chris Jones, professor of the institute.

The study concerns two types of brain tumors that occur in children: Glioblastoma and the most common brain tumor, also called "bridge tumor" for the region of the brain in which it is located. They are rare but very aggressive tumors of the central nervous system for which there is currently no effective treatment. It is extremely important because the work has important consequences on the therapies that will need to be adopted for these tumors in the future.

Mara Vinci published this exclusive interview for our magazine, to better understand the outcome of her work and see, after all, how much she misses to live in her home country. Talking with Mara, you discover things that are unknown to many but end up affecting everyone.

What is your study about?

"This study deals with the different lines. Tumor cells that characterize glioblastomas and extensive tumors of the central region of the brain, both rare but very aggressive types of brain tumors affecting children and adolescents. Using techniques that help us decode DNA, the development of cell cultures and animal models derived from patients, we have shown that these tumors are composed of different cells at the level of the mutations that they possess and of their behavior. The cancer cells act as a kind of network and cooperate with each other, giving the tumor its characteristic aggressiveness. "

What does it mean for you – and for your work – that it was published today in one of the world's most prestigious scientific journals?"

"It makes me very proud to share my work with the rest of the scientific community in such a prestigious magazine.The research requires funds and long periods and often brings frustration and the achievement of this result. is a great motivation and belief that you are going in the right direction. "

What is someone who is not a doctor can help small cancer patients as well as economically supporting research?

"Research needs first and foremost awareness and dissemination, sharing scientific knowledge with non-professionals brings people closer to research, justifies the funds invested and motivates future donations.

We are in an important historical moment: science has to defend itself against "false news" and those who believe that medicine can not provide answers.The range of anti-vaccinations, for example, is wide, what do you think about it as a biologist and researcher?

"I think people should be able to read about good sources, so it's important that dissemination be based on scientific documents and not on political opinions. "

What can you say to young Fasano who want to approach this kind of study and work?

" I say that this is It's a nice job, so we never get bored, which makes rocure a lot of work and personal satisfaction. you must take if you are curious, because curiosity is the basis of knowledge and therefore of research, and if you are pbadionate about science: you must also be adventurous!

She is now working at the Infant Jesus in Rome, and I imagine that her work takes a long time. Are you missing Fasano? Can you come back often?

"I came back to Italy for about a year and psychologically I feel closer to my family, my Fasano, when I was in London: in fact I can not come back as long as I would like it.

Who would you like to thank for this milestone?

"This work was made possible through a fantastic group work led by Professor Chris Jones of the United States. Institute of Cancer Research in London where worked until last year, my former colleagues from the Glioma London team and all the collaborators who contributed to this group study.The thanks are due to the families of patients with these cancers and the fundamentals that supported this research. "

Attribution – No commercial use






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