Research Forward Podcast | Livia D'Angelo

Episode 15 Livia D'Angelo

Research Forward

May 30, 2025

01:25:33

Innovative Education in Biomedical Research: The Interdisciplinary Approach of MorphoPHEN

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IN THIS EPISODE

In this episode of the Research Forward podcast, host David Mayo interviews Professor Livia D'Angelo, the driving force behind the MorphoPHEN program. MorphoPHEN is a collaborative master's program involving four leading European universities, aimed at training experts in mouse phenotyping to advance our understanding of human diseases. Professor D'Angelo discusses the interdisciplinary nature of the program, which integrates anatomy, pathology, imaging, and deep learning to provide a comprehensive education in mouse model research.

The conversation delves into the origins of MorphoPHEN, highlighting the need for standardized training in mouse phenotyping due to the increasing complexity of genetic modifications in research. Professor D'Angelo shares her journey from veterinary studies to leading this innovative program, emphasizing the importance of proper animal care and the ethical considerations in research.

They also explore the practical applications of the program, including the use of virtual microscopy and digital pathology to reduce the number of animals used in research. The episode concludes with insights into the future of MorphoPHEN, including potential expansions and the integration of organoid research. This episode offers a detailed look at how MorphoPHEN is shaping the future of biomedical research and education.

About Livia D'Angelo

Livia D'Angelo is currently an Associate Professor at the Veterinary School at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy. She also serves as the Director of the post-graduate school "Science and Medicine of Laboratory Animals" and the Director of the Master ERASMUS Mundus "Human Diseases Models Morphological Phenotyping - MorphoPHEN". From the early stages of her career, Professor D'Angelo has focused her scientific efforts on enhancing the translatability and reproducibility of animal models, primarily fish and rodents, and the derived data in neuroscience.

Recognizing the lack of adequately trained experts to accurately and reproducibly characterize the morphological phenotype of mouse models, Professor D'Angelo has observed that many researchers resort to DIY (Do-it-Yourself) phenotyping. This has led to numerous examples of phenotypic misinterpretations in scientific literature. In response to this challenge, Professor D'Angelo, along with a consortium of universities and research institutes worldwide, is developing an educational project, MorphoPHEN, aimed at bridging the gap in morphology interpretation by untrained investigators. This initiative seeks to improve the reproducibility of results obtained using mice in studies of biology, disease, and toxicology.

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