Team Dr. Alessandro Falconieri He obtained his PhD in 2021 with a thesis entitled Mechanotransduction of axonal growth, under the supervision of Prof. Vittoria Raffa, exploring the activation of local mechanisms in axons subjected to mechanical forces. He was then granted an EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship to investigate the molecular mechanisms underpinning nerve regeneration and neuropathic pain onset. Currently, his research focuses on the molecular processes involving axons engaged in inhibitory signaling within non-permissive environments for regeneration in the central nervous system, along with potential strategies to enhance axonal rescue. Dr. Samuele Ghignoli He joined Professor Raffa’s laboratory in 2020 with his Master’s thesis in Nanomedicine, investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in mechanically induced axonal growth using magnetic nanoparticles. He was subsequently awarded a research fellowship focused on the synthesis of functionalized nanoparticles. From 2021 to 2025, he carried out his PhD at the Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa within the European project CAPTUR3D, investigating insulin and glucagon dynamics in pancreatic cell lines using single and two-photon microscopy. Since early 2026, he has rejoined RaffaLab, bringing advanced expertise in confocal microscopy, live imaging, cell culture, and the use of magnetic nanoparticles to apply mechanical stimuli and promote neuronal regeneration. Dr. Elena Capitanini She joined Professor Vittoria Raffa’s laboratory during her Master’s thesis in Molecular Biotechnology, focused on the optimization of an organotypic model of the nigrostriatal pathway for axonal growth stimulation. In 2023, she was awarded a research fellowship to develop nerve regeneration strategies using the zebrafish model. She is currently a third-year PhD candidate at RaffaLab, where she applies mechanical stimulation to zebrafish neurons to promote axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury. Her research has led her to develop advanced expertise in confocal microscopy, behavioral studies, and the use of nanoparticles as tools for modulating and analyzing neuronal regeneration. Dr. Lorenza Da Palmata He joined Professor Raffa’s laboratory in 2022 with his Master’s thesis in Molecular and Cellular Biology, investigating the molecular processes induced by mechanical stimulation in neurons. In 2024, he was awarded a research fellowship to further explore the cytoskeletal dynamics studied during his thesis. He is currently a second-year PhD student at RaffaLab, where he applies mechanical stimuli to primary mouse neurons to study mechanotransduction mechanisms. His research has led him to develop advanced skills in confocal microscopy, live imaging, cell culture, and the use of magnetic nanoparticles to apply forces in the picoNewton range. Dr. Elena Landi She joined Professor Vittoria Raffa’s laboratory in 2017 as a laboratory technician at the Department of Biology of the University of Pisa, holding a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Biotechnology. Between 2019 and 2023, she actively participated in the European FET research project I-GENE, playing a key role in both its experimental and organizational activities. She is currently a member of RaffaLab, contributing to student training and providing technical and managerial support to the lab.