Annalisa Pastore

Annalisa Pastore speaks at Scuola Normale Superiore (cropped)

Annalisa Pastore is an Italian biochemist and molecular biologist known for her significant contributions to the field of protein structure and neurodegenerative diseases. She has held various prestigious positions in academia and research institutions, contributing extensively to the understanding of protein misfolding and its implications in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Early Life and Education

Annalisa Pastore was born in Italy. She pursued her undergraduate studies in chemistry at the University of Florence, where she developed an interest in the structural biology of proteins. She later obtained her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the same university, focusing on the structural analysis of proteins using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Career

Academic Positions

Pastore began her academic career as a postdoctoral researcher at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany. She later joined the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in London, where she led a research group studying the structural biology of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases.

In 2013, she was appointed as a Professor of Molecular Neuroscience at King's College London, where she continued her research on protein misfolding and aggregation. Her work has been instrumental in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying several neurodegenerative conditions.

Research Contributions

Pastore's research has primarily focused on the structural and functional characterization of proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. She has utilized advanced techniques such as NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to study the conformational changes in proteins that lead to disease.

One of her notable contributions is the study of the protein ataxin-3, which is associated with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). Her research has provided insights into the misfolding and aggregation of ataxin-3, paving the way for potential therapeutic interventions.

Awards and Honors

Annalisa Pastore has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science, including the FEBS/EMBO Women in Science Award and the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award. She is also a member of several prestigious scientific societies, including the Biophysical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Personal Life

Pastore is known for her dedication to mentoring young scientists and promoting diversity in science. She is actively involved in various outreach programs aimed at encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM fields.

Selected Publications

• Pastore, A., et al. (Year). Title of the publication. Journal Name. Volume(Issue), pages.
• Pastore, A., et al. (Year). Title of the publication. Journal Name. Volume(Issue), pages.

See Also

• Protein folding
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
• King's College London