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Q&A Cristina Nostro Research Highlights

MATURE CELLS, BETTER OUTCOMES

A technical discovery by postdoctoral researcher
What got you interested in science? Dr. Wahiba Dhahri (left) in the lab of Dr. Michael
My first encounter with science was in high school Laflamme (right) revealed a way to produce
biology class, and I found it fascinating. I went mature heart muscle cells in the lab. This approach
on to do a degree in biology, including a one-year overcomes a hurdle to experimental cell therapies,
exchange in Manchester, UK. That’s where I saw which currently use immature heart muscle cells.
what research is and the potential that stem cells Using mature cells to restore lost heart muscle led
have for treating disease. This experience led me to better functional recovery without unwanted
to do a PhD at the University of Manchester and a side effects such as arrhythmia, or irregular
postdoc at Mount Sinai in New York. heartbeat. Full Story / Scientific Article

What was your childhood like? HELPING CELLS TAKE ROOT
I grew up in Italy and lived in different regions—
the beautiful Calabria, where my dad is from;
and Tuscany, where my mum is from. As a family,
we travelled a lot and thanks to my parents, I
discovered the beauty of art everywhere, whether
it was in a gallery in a big city or in the streets of a
small town. Art really shaped my upbringing.

Does science satisfy your artistic side?
Science is creative and artistic. The most obvious A study co-led by Drs. Nostro and Vasconcelos
artistic aspect relates to communicating your (above) showed that transplanting tiny blood
findings, which often involves schematics and vessels with pancreatic cells reversed diabetes in
drawings. I love drawing and working out ways to laboratory models. “When co-transplanted with
visually communicate our findings to the public. microvessels, stem cell–derived pancreatic cells
started to normalize blood sugar levels seven weeks
Any advice for those considering science? after transplantation, while the cells transplanted
Science requires passion, curiosity and resilience. alone did not,” says Dr. Vasconcelos. Also, the
We often repeat experiments many times to test transplants retained up to four times more cells
a hypothesis, so it also takes determination. It’s after three months than those without microvessels.
important to have a network of people with whom Full Story / Scientific Article
you can discuss your data, look at your results
with fresh eyes and learn at each step.
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