<p> Curriculum vitae of Dr. Vanessa Checchetto</p><p>Date and place of birth: 01/12/1981; Monselice (PD), Italy Citizenship: Italian</p><p>Current position: Research Post-doc Fellow, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Italy</p><p>Education:</p><p>January 2008 - December 2010 - Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biotechnology - curriculum Biotechnology, University of Padua, Italy. Ph.D. supervisor: Dr. Elisabetta Bergantino. October 2006 - Master degree in Industrial Biotechnology - graduated with full marks (summa cum laude), University of Padua, Italy. September 2004 - First degree in Biotechnology, University of Padua, Italy.</p><p>Research experience:</p><p>February 2014 – present - Research Post-doc Fellow, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Italy. Title of the project: “Mitochondrial calcium signaling: molecules, roles and pharmacological targeting”. During this period the objective of my research is focused on the electrophysiological study of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter and on its regulation. In particular, the direct effect of two recently identified modulators, EMRE and ccdc90a, as well as the crucial amino acid residues required for MCU function will be determined. The work will be centered also around a new modulators of mitochondrial calcium uptake that have been identified in cell biology experiments, in order to understand whether it works as an ion channel. This part will be performed using the electrophysiological bilayer and patch clamp techniques. February 2013 – January 2014 - Research Post-doc Fellow, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Italy. Title of the project: “Electrophysiological study of mitochondrial calcium uniporter and its regulation”. During this period the objective of my research was the electrophysiological study of the calcium uniporter and of its regulation, in the frame of a joint project between Prof. Rizzuto and Prof. Szabo. In particular, the role of MCUb (Raffaello et al., 2013) and the direct effect of two recently identified modulators, MICU1 and MICU2 (Patron et al., 2014) was investigated. This work was performed using planar lipid bilayer techniques, biochemistry analyses and molecular biology approach. October 2012 – January 2013 - Research Post-doc Fellow, winner of a fellowship of the Aldo Gini Foundation (University of Padua, Italy). During this period, I have been working at CEA Scientific Department Sciences du Vivant, pole de Grenoble, Laboratoire Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale du Centre Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA) of the Centre under the direction of Giovanni Finazzi, Director of Research at CNRS, Laboratoire Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale. Title of the project: “Study of the function of ion channels in Synechocystis and Arabidopsis thaliana”. The French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the Laboratory of Prof. I. Szabo, University of Padua collaborated o this project within the framework of the programme “The role of ion channels in optimizing prokaryotic and eukaryotic photosynthesis”. My work during my short- term stay in Grenoble focused on TPK3, a potassium channel identified in thylakoids of higher plants (Carraretto et al., 2013). November 2011 – October 2012 - Research Post-doc Fellow, Department of Biology, University of Padua, Italy. Title of the project: "Development of a homologous system of expression of hydrogenase Chlamydomonas reinharditii".During this period the objective of my research was: 1) the development of an expression system of hydrogenase of Chlamydomonas reinharditii directly in the algae by stable transformation of its nucleus; 2) identification of better conditions of expression and purification of the recombinant hydrogenase protein, also by means of research of new promoters and /or epitopes. January 2011 – October 2011 - Research Post-doc Fellow, Department of Biology, University of Padua, Italy. Title of the project: "Functional characterization of a calcium-dependent potassium channel of Synechocystis". During this period the goal of my research was to understand the physiological roles of two potassium channels in cyanobacteria. I obtained a knock-out mutant for SynCaK calcium-dependent potassium channel and studied its phenotype using various techniques such as fluorimetric analysis, biochemistry analyses and molecular biology approach (Checchetto et al, 2013). January 2008 – December 2010 - Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biotechnology - curriculum Biotechnology, University of Padua, Italy. Ph. D. supervisor: Dr. Elisabetta Bergantino Title of the project: “Functional characterization of potassium channels in the cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803”.My Ph.D work was focused on the identification and characterization of two potassium channels in the photosynthetic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. I cloned coding sequences for these two potassium channels in fusion with GFP and the hybrid proteins were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. I evaluated the presence of proteins in plasma membrane by fluorescence microscopy and then I proceeded to their functional characterization using the patch clamp technique (Zanetti et al, 2010, Checchetto et al, 2013). In addition, I obtained a knock- out mutant for the voltage-gated potassium channel SynK and highlighted a photosynthetic phenotype in this organism (Checchetto et al, 2012). I also participated in two works characterizing an Aquaporin-less mutant in cyanobacteria (Akai et al, 2011, Akai et al, 2012). January 2007 - December 2007 - Fellowship, Department of Biology, University of Padua, Italy. Title of the project: "Biochemical study of potassium channels in plant mitochondria". My work was focused on the identification and characterization of a mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel, which was studied for the first time by using electrophysiology (De Marchi et al, 2010).</p><p>Teaching experience:</p><p>04/03/2013 – 15/06/2013 Provision of occasional self-employment for carrying out activities to support teaching for the course of Biochemistry 1 for the Degree in Molecular Biology, academic year 2012/2013 (total 21 hours) at the Faculty of Sciences University of Padua. 15/03/2012 – 16/06/2012 Provision of occasional self-employment for carrying out activities to support teaching for the course of Biochemistry 1 for the Degree in Biology, academic year 2011/2012 (total 25 hours) at the Faculty of Sciences University of Padua. 11/04/2011 – 18/06/2011 Provision of occasional self-employment for carrying out activities to support teaching for the course of Structural Biochemistry for the Degree in Biotecnology, academic year 2010/2011 (total 25 hours) at the Faculty of Sciences University of Padua. 17/01/2011 – 19/03/2011 Provision of occasional self-employment for carrying out activities to support teaching for the course of Biochemistry 1 for the Degree in Biology, academic year 2010/2011 (total 25 hours) at the Faculty of Sciences University of Padua. 01/10/2009 – 04/12/2009 Provision of occasional self-employment for carrying out activities to support teaching for the course of Molecular Biology for the Degree in Molecular Biology , academic year 2009/2010 (total 25 hours) at the Faculty of Sciences University of Padua.</p><p>I am also co-supervisor of the following students of Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Evolutionary Biology: Prizes and awards:</p><p>Winner of a fellowship of SIBPA (Società Italiana di Biofisica Pura e Applicata) to attend the “Biophysical Society 58th Annual Meeting”, February 15-19, 2014 | San Francisco, CA, USA Winner of a fellowship of the Aldo Gini Foundation (University of Padua, Italy) to work at CEA Scientific Department Sciences du Vivant, pole de Grenoble, Laboratoire Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale du Centre Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA) of the Centre under the direction of Giovanni Finazzi, Director of Research at CNRS, Laboratoire Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale. Winner of a fellowship to participate at Regional Biophysics Conference, 21-25 August 2007, Balatonfured, Hungary.</p><p>Scientific collaborations:</p><p>During my scientific career I collaborated with several national and international laboratories. These collaborations have allowed me to achieve high-impact scientific publications. I report below the main international and national collaborations that I've currently in progress:  Dr. Giovanni Finazzi, Director of Research at CNRS, Laboratoire Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale at CEA Scientific Department Sciences du Vivant, pole de Grenoble, Laboratoire Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale du Centre Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA). The collaboration is about the characterization of ion channels the Arabidopsis thaliana mutants.  Prof. Nobuyuki Uozumi. Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aobayama, Sendai, Japan. Center for Gene Research. The collaboration is about the characterization of the cyanobacterium Synechocystic sp. PCC6803 mutated in potassium transporters and channels.  Prof. Vito De Pinto, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry - University of Catania. The collaboration is about the electrophysiological characterization of VDAC mutant channels.  Dr. Paola Costantini, Department of Biology of University of Padua. The collaboration is about the characterization of hydrogenase of the cyanobacterium Synechocystic sp. PCC6803.</p><p>Technical skills:</p><p> Cell biology,  molecular biology,  gel electrophoresis for DNA and protein,  Western Blot,  heterologous and homologous expression of proteins in mammalian cells and bacteria (in particular ion channel expression),  protein purification (in particular ion channel purification),  protein purification in anaerobiotic glove box,  cell fractionation,  preparation of plant mitochondria adapted for electrophysiological analyses in vitro protein expression using cell-free systems,  fluorescence microscopy,  measurements with PAM fluorimeter, ECS (electro-chromic shift) analysis in plants using a JTS spectrophotometer  electrophysiological techniques planar lipid bilayer and patch clamp (on mammalian CHO cell)  analyses of electrophysiological data </p><p>Publications:</p><p>1. Checchetto V., Reina S., Magrì A., Szabò I., De Pinto V. (2014) Recombinant human voltage dependent anion selective channel isoform 3 (hVDAC3) forms pores with a very small conductance. Cell Physiol. Biochem. 34(3):842-53. doi: 10.1159/000363047. Epub 2014 Aug 20. Impact factor 3.550 ISSN 1015-8987, Ranking 18/81 physiology (Q1), 84/185 in cell biology (Q2)</p><p>2. Patron M., Checchetto V., Raffaello A., Teardo E., Vecellio Reane D., Mantoan M., Granatiero V., Szabò I., De Stefani D., Rizzuto R. (2014) MICU1 and MICU2 finely tune the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter by exerting opposite effects on MCU activity. Molecular Cell Feb 18. pii: S1097-2765(14)00074-4. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.01.013. Impact factor 14.46 ISSN 1097-2765, Ranking: 5/291 in biochemistry & molecular biology (Q1) and 9/185 in cell biology (Q1)</p><p>3. Carraretto L., Formentin E., Teardo E., Checchetto V., Tomizioli M., Morosinotto T., Giacometti G.M., Finazzi G., Szabò I. (2013) A thylakoid-located two-pore potassium channel controls photosynthetic light utilization in plants. Science 342: 114-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1242113. Epub 2013 Sep 5. Impact factor 31.47 ISSN 0036-8075, Ranking: 2/55 in multidisciplinary sciences (Q1).</p><p>4. Raffaello A., De Stefani D., Sabbadin D., Teardo E., Merli G., Picard A., Checchetto V., Moro S., Szabò I., Rizzuto R. (2013) The mitochondrial calcium uniporter is a multimer that can include a dominant-negative pore-forming subunit. EMBO J. 32: 2362-76. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2013.157. Impact factor 10.74 ISSN 0261-4189, Ranking: 15/290 in biochemistry & molecular biology (Q1), 16/185 in cell biology (Q1)</p><p>1. Checchetto V., Teardo E., Carraretto L., Formentin E., Bergantino E., Giacometti G.M., Szabò I. (2013) Regulation of photosynthesis by ion channels in cyanobacteria and higher plant. Biophysical Chemistry 182: 51-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bpc.2013.06.006. Impact factor 2.39 ISSN 0301-4622, Ranking: 60/136 in chemistry, physical (Q2), 185/291 in biochemistry and molecular biology (Q3), 44/74 in biophysics (Q3).</p><p>5. Checchetto V., Formentin E., Carraretto L., Giacometti G.M., Szabò I., Bergantino E. (2013) Functional and physiological characterization of a calcium-dependent potassium channel from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cyanobacteria. Plant Physiology 162(2):953-64. doi: 10.1104/pp.113.215129. Epub 2013 May 2. Impact Factor 7.394 ISSN 0032-0889, Ranking 6/199 in plant sciences (Q1). 6. Akai M., Onai K., Morishita M., Mino H., Shijuku T., Maruyama H., Arai F., Itoh S., Hazama A., Checchetto V., Szabò I., Yukutake Y., Suematsu M., Yasui M., Ishiura M., Uozumi N. (2012) Aquaporin AqpZ Is Involved in Cell Volume Regulation and Sensitivity to Osmotic Stress in Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803. J. Bacteriology 194: 6828-36. Impact Factor 2.68 8, ISSN 0021-9193, Ranking 51/119 in microbiology (Q2)</p><p>7. Checchetto V., Segalla A., Allorent G., La Rocca N., Leanza L., Giacometti G.M., Uozumi N., Finazzi G., Bergantino E., Szabò I. (2012) Thylakoid potassium channel is required for efficient photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 109: 11043-8. Impact factor 9.809, ISSN 0027-8424, Ranking 4/55 in multidisciplinary sciences (Q1)</p><p>8. Akai M., Onai K., Kusano M., Sato M., Redestig H., Toyooka K., Morishita M., Miyake H., Hazama A., Checchetto V., Szabò I., Matsuoka K., Saito K., Yasui M., Ishiura M., Uozumi N. (2011) Plasma membrane aquaporin AqpZ protein is essential for glucose metabolism during photomixotrophic growth of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. J. Biological Chemistry; 286: 25224-35. Impact factor 4.600, ISSN 0021-9258, Ranking 65/291 in biochemistry & molecular biology (Q1)</p><p>9. De Marchi U., Checchetto V., Zanetti M., Teardo E., Soccio M., Formentin E., Giacometti G.M., Pastore D., Zoratti M., Szabò I. (2010) ATP-sensitive cation-channel in wheat (Triticum durum Desf.): identification and characterization of a plant mitochondrial channel by patch-clamp. Cell Physiol. Biochem.; 26: 975-82. Impact factor 3.550, ISSN 1015-8987, Ranking 18/81 in physiology (Q1) and 84/185 in cell biology (Q2).</p><p>10. Zanetti M., Teardo E., La Rocca N., Zulkifli L., Checchetto V., Shijuku T., Sato Y., Giacometti G.M., Uozumi N., Bergantino E., Szabò I. (2010) A novel potassium channel in photosynthetic cyanobacteria. PLoS One 5:e10118. Impact factor 3.534, ISNN 1932-6203, Ranking 8/55 multidisciplinary science (Q1).</p>