Laura Crisafulli
Researcher
Area of interest:
Dr. Laura Crisafulli’s research focuses on the regulatory mechanisms that control hematopoiesis, with particular interest in hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Her work investigates the role of transcription factors, microRNAs, and other molecular regulators in normal hematopoietic development, as well as how alterations in these mechanisms contribute to the onset and progression of myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Following the discovery of PBX1 as a key player in the onset and maintenance of myeloproliferative neoplasms, Dr. Crisafulli is currently exploring its pharmacological modulation in vivo. In close collaboration with Dr. Francesca Ficara at IRGB-UOS Milan, her research also aims to identify novel contributors to myeloproliferative neoplasms that are directly or indirectly controlled by PBX1.
In addition to intrinsic hematopoietic regulators, Dr. Crisafulli studies extrinsic factors that are essential for hematopoietic stem cell regulation, with particular attention to the relationship between hematopoietic stem cells and the bone marrow microenvironment in both mouse models and human disease. In collaboration with Dr. Cristina Sobacchi at IRGB-UOS Milan, she is investigating the role of the RANKL cytokine in preserving the bone marrow stemness of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, which depend on a tightly regulated niche.
Dr. Crisafulli is also interested in how essential non-organic elements contribute to hematopoietic stem cell fitness. In collaboration with Prof. Stefania Recalcati at the University of Milan, she is studying the hematological consequences of local iron deficiency using a mouse model of genetic macrophage iron trapping.
To further expand these studies from a clinical and translational perspective, Dr. Crisafulli collaborates with Prof. Matteo Della Porta at Humanitas Research Hospital to investigate alterations of the human bone marrow microenvironment during the evolution and treatment of myeloid disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. This work combines molecular and functional studies with advanced technologies such as Imaging Mass Cytometry.
Overall, Dr. Crisafulli’s research aims to define how intrinsic molecular programs and extrinsic niche signals regulate hematopoietic stem cell function, and how their disruption contributes to hematological malignancies.
Most significant publications:
2020
Cohesin mutations are synthetic lethal with stimulation of WNŦ signaling Journal Article
In: Elife, vol. 9, 2020.
Cornelia de Lange syndrome: from molecular diagnosis to therapeutic approach Journal Article
In: J Med Genet, vol. 57, no. 5, pp. 289–295, 2020.
2019
Overexpression of the cohesin-core subunit SMC1A contributes to colorectal cancer development Journal Article
In: J Exp Clin Cancer Res, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 108, 2019.
p53 mitotic centrosome localization preserves centrosome integrity and works as sensor for the mitotic surveillance pathway Journal Article
In: Cell Death Dis, vol. 10, no. 11, pp. 850, 2019.
2018
Separase prevents genomic instability by controlling replication fork speed Journal Article
In: Nucleic Acids Res, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 267–278, 2018.
2016
A role for Separase in telomere protection Journal Article
In: Nat Commun, vol. 7, pp. 10405, 2016, ([PubMed Central:hrefhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4735636PMC4735636] [DOI:hrefhttps://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1040510.1038/ncomms10405] [PubMed:hrefhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2677849526778495]).
2015
AKŦIP/Ft1, a New Shelterin-Interacting Factor Required for Ŧelomere Maintenance Journal Article
In: PLoS Genet., vol. 11, no. 6, pp. e1005167, 2015, ([PubMed Central:hrefhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4481533PMC4481533] [DOI:hrefhttps://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.100516710.1371/journal.pgen.1005167] [PubMed:hrefhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2611052826110528]).
Proliferation of Multiple Cell Ŧypes in the Skeletal Muscle Ŧissue Elicited by Acute p21 Suppression Journal Article
In: Mol Ther, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 885–895, 2015.
2013
Cytogenetic analysis of human cells reveals specific patterns of ĐNA damage in replicative and oncogene-induced senescence Journal Article
In: vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 312–315, 2013.
2007
Mutations in cohesin complex members SMC3 and SMC1A cause a mild variant of cornelia de Lange syndrome with predominant mental retardation Journal Article
In: vol. 80, no. 3, pp. 485–494, 2007.
2006
X-linked Cornelia de Lange syndrome owing to SMC1L1 mutations Journal Article
In: Nat Genet, vol. 38, no. 5, pp. 528–530, 2006.
2003
Inhibition of BUB1 results in genomic instability and anchorage-independent growth of normal human fibroblasts Journal Article
In: Cancer Res, vol. 63, no. 11, pp. 2855–2863, 2003.

Via Manzoni 113 – Blg.E – 20089, Rozzano (Milan), Italy – c/o Humanitas Research Hospital
laura.crisafulli@cnr.it
+39 0282245153
ORCID: