Stefania TOLU - Neurophysiology and Behavior

Department of Neurobiology of adaptative processes CNRS UMR 7102
Stefania Tolu, PhD
Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Bat B, 5th floor, 9 quai St Bernard 75005 Paris
phone : +33 (0)1 44 27 39 40
email :[email protected]
Education and training
2006-2010: PhD in Molecular and cellular Pharmacology (Option: Neuroscience), Paris Sud-XI University/Pasteur
Institute, Paris, France.
Thesis: Role of the nicotinic receptor of the ventral tegmental area neuronal sub-populations in nicotine reinforcement.
Supervisors Dr. Uwe Maskos.
2007: Animal experimentation level 1, GRETA, Paris, France
2004: Exam to qualify as an authorized Pharmacist, University of Cagliari, Italy
1998-2004: University Diploma as Doctor in Pharmacy, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Thesis: Effect of methylphenidate on catecholaminergic transmission in prefrontal cortex in animal models of Attention
Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Supervisor Prof. Ezio Carboni.
1998: Scientific Baccalaureate, Nuoro (Italy).
Research Experience
2011-to date: Post-doctoral fellow, UMR 7102 Neurobiology of Adaptive Processes, Team Neurophysiology and Behavior,
Pierre et Marie Curie University, Paris, France.
Supervisor Dr Philippe Faure.
Electrophysiological characterization of alcohol and nicotine-elicited dopaminergic activity in the VTA.
2005-2006: Graduate student, Department of Neuroscience, Receptor and Cognition Unit, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
Chief Prof: Jean-Pierre Changeux
Molecular and cellular biology training. Design and production of lentiviral expression vectors.
2003-2004: Undergraduate student, Department of Toxicology, University of Cagliari, Italy
Supervisor Prof. Ezio Carboni
Study and application of in vivo microdialysis technique in rats. Measurement of dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the
Nucleus Accumbes and Prefrontal Cortex.
Full papers
S Pons, L Fattore, G Cossu, S Tolu , E Porcu , JM McIntosh, J-P Changeux , U Maskos & W Fratta. Crucial role of
α4 and α6 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits from ventral tegmental area in systemic nicotine self-administration. J
Neurosci 2008;28(47):12318-27
S Tolu, ME Avale, H Nakatani, S Pons, S Parnaudeau, F Tronche, A Vogt, H Monyer, R Vogel, F de Chaumont, J-C
Olivo-Marin, J-P Changeux & U Maskos. A versatile system for the neuronal subtype specific expression of lentiviral
vectors. FASEB J. 2010 Mar;24(3):723-30
M Melis, S Carta, L Fattore, S Tolu, S Yasar, SR. Goldberg, W Fratta, U Maskos & M Pistis. Peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptors-alpha modulate dopamine cell activity through nicotinic receptors. Biol Psychiatry 2010 Aug
1;68(3):256-64
S Tolu, R Eddine, F Marti, V David, M Graupner, S Pons, M Baudonnat, M Husson, M Besson, C Reperant, J
Zemdegs, C Pagès, Y A H Hay, B Lambolez, J Caboche, B Gutkin, A M Gardier, J-P Changeux, P Faure & U
Maskos. Co-activation of VTA DA and GABA neurons mediates nicotine reinforcement. Mol Psychiatry 2013
Mar;18(3):382-93. doi: 10.1038/mp.2012.83. Epub 2012 Jul 3
Grants and Award
2011: Thesis award of doctoral school ED425 Innovation thérapeutique
2010: Fellowship from the Pasteur -Weizmann Fondation
2008-2009 Fellowship from the Fondation de la Recherche Médicale
2006-2008 Fellowship from the Italian Regione autonoma della Sardegna
2005-2006: Fellowship from the EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6)
Languages
Italian, mother tongue
English, fluent writing and speaking
French, fluent writing and speaking
Technical skills
Molecular and cellular biology: PCR; DNA cloning and purification; Lentivirus production; Protein titer determination
(ELISA); Histology; Immunofluorescence; Cellular cultures; Primary neuronal cultures.
In vivo experimentation (mice and rats): maintenance of mouse lines, mutation genotyping; stereotactical injections; in vivo
microdialysis; in vivo extracellular single-unit electrophysiology.
Computer Skills
Good knowledge of the most common personal productivity programs (word processing, spreadsheet, data base). Good
knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Image J, Carl Zeiss Axiovisio software. Good Knowledge of several molecular
biology softwares (pDRAW32, DNAstrider, Serial Cloner), Good knowledge of the data acquisition, analysis and
experiment control software Spike2 for Windows and R software for statistical analysis. Good knowledge of bibliography
software (EndNote, Papers).
References
Dr Philippe Faure, Univeristé Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
[email protected]
Dr Uwe Maskos, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
[email protected]
Pr Jean-Pierre Changeux, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
[email protected]
Pr Ezio Carboni, Università degli studi di Cagliari, Italy
[email protected]