dr. Marika Faiella (Postdoc)

Dr. Marika Faiella graduated in Genetics and Molecular Biology at Sapienza University of Rome, where she conducted her master's thesis on the molecular characterization of ERAP2 fragments in immunosuppressive macrophages.

 

She then pursued a PhD in Translational Medicine at the University of Ferrara, focusing on the development of exosome-mediated delivery strategies for antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) as a therapeutic approach for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. During her doctoral research, she investigated the mechanisms underlying exosome loading, permeation and fusion, contributing to the optimization of RNA delivery systems and the restoration of dystrophin expression in vitro. As part of her international training, she joined the END-ICAP laboratory at INSERM-UVSQ in Versailles, where she further expanded her expertise in extracellular vesicle engineering and RNA therapeutics by developing exosome-based delivery platforms for ASOs in preclinical models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  

 

Following her PhD, Marika worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, investigating RNA interference strategies targeting TFR2 as a potential therapeutic approach for β-thalassemia.

 

She subsequently joined Maastricht University, where she is currently developing regenerative RNA-based therapies for ischemic heart disease, comparing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and next-generation adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery platforms to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac repair.

 

Her research combines expertise in molecular and cellular biology, RNA therapeutics, extracellular vesicles and advanced delivery systems, with the overarching goal of translating innovative nucleic acid therapies into effective treatments for cardiovascular and neuromuscular diseases.