Lino Tessarollo, Ph.D.

Neurotrophins are a family of secreted growth factors that regulate the survival, differentiation, and function of diverse cell populations throughout the nervous system and peripheral organs. Their effects are mediated primarily through the p75 receptor and Trk receptor tyrosine kinases, which include both full-length and truncated, kinase-deficient isoforms.

Our research focuses on understanding how neurotrophin–Trk signaling regulates development, neural circuit function, and systemic physiology in vivo. Using sophisticated mouse genetics together with molecular, imaging, and proteomic approaches, we investigate the distinct functions of Trk receptor isoforms, including truncated receptors, and define cell-specific neurotrophin signaling pathways.

We have developed unique genetic models, including conditional, reverse-conditional, isoform-specific, and domain-specific Trk alleles, allowing us to dissect neurotrophin functions in both the nervous system and non-neuronal tissues. These studies aim to clarify the physiological and pathological roles of neurotrophin signaling and inform therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

The laboratory welcomes applicants with expertise in neurobiology and backgrounds in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and imaging.

Dr. Tessarollo received his Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of Padua, Italy, in 1987. He carried out postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Chieco-Bianchi at the Institute of Oncology, Padua to study the molecular basis of retroviral-induced tumorigenesis in rodents. In 1990 he joined Dr. Parada's laboratory at the ABL-Basic Research Program, NCI-Frederick, where he used genome editing by gene targeting technology to study neurotrophin function in vivo. In 1994, Dr. Tessarollo was recruited to established a Gene Targeting Facility and, in 1996, the Neural Development Group. In 1999, he joined the Center for Cancer Research, NCI and in 2006, he was appointed Deputy Director of the Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP). In 2013 he became Director of the MCGP.