Simone Tambaro

Simone Tambaro

Senior Research Specialist | Docent
Visiting address: BioClinicum J10:30, Visionsgatan 4, 17164 Solna
Postal address: H1 Neurobiologi, vårdvetenskap och samhälle, H1 Neurogeriatrik Nilsson, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • I have several years of experience in neuroscience and pharmacological research. After completing my bachelor’s degree in 2001, I began my research career at Neuroscience Scarl, Cagliari University, Italy. I then pursued a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Cagliari (2007-2010), followed by a postdoctoral position at the University of Southern California, USA (2010-2012). In 2012, I was awarded a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for the PET-BRAIN project, which I worked on until 2014. I have been working since 2014 and since 2022 in the position of Senior Research Specialist at the Division of Neurogeriatrics at Karolinska Institutet. I have established an independent research program focused on identifying new target proteins involved in the biological mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease.  Throughout my career, I have secured several national grants (including those from Olle Engkvists Stiftelse, Alzheimerfonden, Demensfonden, and Åhlén-Stiftelsen) as well as international grants from organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association.

Research

  • My research is based on characterizing new target proteins involved in the biological bases of Alzheimer's disease. In particular, I am studying the AD
    pathophysiological role of the intramembrane signal peptide peptidase like 2b (SPPL2b). For this purpose, we use the new AD mouse model, the APP-knock-in mouse AppNL-G-F and the SPPL2b deficient mouse line. My research is also concerned with evaluating the role of the endocannabinoidergic system (ECS) in neurological-related disorders and the biological mechanisms by which ECS is involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.


    Funding: 

    Alzheimer´s Association, Olle Engkvists Stiftelse, Gun & Bertil Stohnes Stiftelse, Demensfonden, Lindhés Advokatbyrå Stiftelse, Åhlén-stiftelsen, Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor

    Project team members:

    Jack Badman

    Eileen Mac Sweeney

    Bjorn Bakker

    Wenjun Li

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Unraveling the Therapeutic Potential of SPPL2b in Alzheimer's Disease
    Alzhimer´s Association
    1 July 2024 - 30 June 2027
    The main question that we want to answer in this project is, how does the brain-specific intramembrane enzyme SPPL2b affect Alzheimer's disease (AD), and may it be used as a target for the creation of novel therapies? AD is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of toxic proteins (amyloid peptides) in the brain, inflammation, and progressive memory loss that affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. Recently, immunotherapy showed positive results in reducing plaque and slowing down cognitive decline. Still, this therapeutic approach cannot block the progression of AD and reverse memory impairment highlighting the important need in finding novel approaches to treat this disease. Our study focuses on the SPPL2b enzyme, which is involved in processing proteins involved in amyloid peptide production, inflammation, and memory process. We think that the modulation or inhibition of SPPL2b activity may help prevent the synthesis of dangerous proteins and lessen brain inflammation. We will investigate this theory by looking at the SPPL2b gene deletion results in a mouse model of AD. Additionally, we will look for SPPL2b and associated proteins in samples of human brains from various disease stages. This will enable us to comprehend the relationship between SPPL2b and AD. Additionally, we will conduct lab tests and computer simulations to look for potential SPPL2b-specific inhibitors. Our goals are to understand how SPPL2b contributes to Alzheimer's, find potential new ways to detect the disease early, and identify compounds that can block the enzyme's harmful actions. If successful, this research could lead to new drugs that slow down or halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
  • BRI2 role in neuronal differentiation and the underlying molecular mechanisms: towards an innovative regenerative therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
    Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
    1 January 2022 - 31 December 2025

Employments

  • Senior Research Specialist, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 2022-

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 2025

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