Dr. Pozzi is interested in the study of the communication among different cellular populations in normal and pathological conditions like ALS.  

ALS is neurodegenerative disease that leads to the death of neurons (motor neurons) involved in muscle stimulation. In this context a bad communication among the different cellular populations is one of the detrimental events that induce motoneuronal degeneration. This communication is ensured in the central nervous system by glial cells (ex. microglia) or supporting cells (ex. astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) and in the peripheral nervous system by Schwann cells and muscle cells. These different populations release factors that help in maintaining a favorable environment for activity of motoneurons. An unbalance in this network of communication can induce a pathological state.         

The identification of these communication factors and their mechanisms of action is important for understanding the pathology and highlighting new targets for the development of therapies.