Elena Bravo

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Title: Dr
Display Name: Elena Bravo
Institution: Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Biography: B.Sc. hons ( Science Biologiche), University “La Sapienza” of Rome, 1979 Post- degree Diploma in “Clinical Chemistry Analysis”, University of Camerinio (MC), 1982 PRESENT POST March 1997-present: "Primo Ricercatore" (Senior Researcher) at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome. Section of “Terapia Genica e Cellulare”, Department “Cellular Biology and Neuroscience (BCN)”.
Research Interests: My major work is on the metabolism and physiological effects of cholesterol and lipoproteins, and how this influences cholesterol homeostasis in the body, with the aim of increasing the understanding of the fundamental processes underlying the development of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases. My previous research work which focused on the metabolism of lipoproteins cholesterol led to significant advances in the understanding of the regulation of the catabolism of cholesterol to bile acids.These studies contribute to knowledge about the mechanisms by which dietary saturated and unsaturated fats influence blood cholesterol levels, and consequently highlighted the role of lipoproteins of dietary origin on the risk of cardiovascular diseases development. Furthermore, my interests focused on postprandial lipid metabolism in macrophages and foam cells formation as well as the inflammatory role of macrophage. Disturbances in these processes lead the formation of lipid-laden macrophages, termed foam cells, in the artery wall, which is an early event in the appearance of fatty streaks and of the development of atherosclerotic lesions. In particular, my research is focusing on As well as studies with LDL (low density lipoprotein), we are interested in the atherogenic and antiatherogenic role of dietary lipids carried by chylomicron remnants in the blood. I am involved in study the role of lipid soluble macronutrients, and micronutrients derived from different natural sources, present in the diet, such as, for instance, fatty acids, lycopene and coenzyme Q9. More recently the activity has focused as well on biobanking, Biologic Resource Centres activities and the utilisation of Italian biological resources in European networks. In particular, I am following, for the ISS; the activity of Italian prototypes in the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI). In July 2010 has been nominated Coordinator of the Italian Node of BBMRI [www.bbmri-eric.it ( under construction)] .

History

Member for: 5 years 31 weeks