Name

Juliet Richetto

Born 19th of June 1986 in Italy

Nationality

Italian

Address

Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology

University of Zurich

Winterthurerstrasse 260

CH-8057 Zürich

Education and Academic Positions

2015 – pres.

Postdoctoral fellow

Pharmacology and Toxicology Group

Vetsuisse Faculty, University Zurich.

2014

Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.)

University of Milan, Italy.

2011 - 2014

Doctoral Studies (Ph.D.)

Laboratory of Psychopharmacology and Molecular Psychiatry, Dept. of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.

2006 – 2011

Studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Milan, Italy.

Research Interests

Dr. Richetto’s main research interests are centered upon the question of how early-life environmental adversities, such as prenatal infection, can influence brain development and shape the risk of long-term brain abnormalities, particularly with respect to the molecular mechanisms that could translate such prenatal insults into long-lasting brain pathology. One of Dr. Richetto's current research lines explores the relationship between immune-related abnormalities in prenatal life and genome-wide DNA methylation differences that translate into gene expression dysregulation in cortical and subcortical brain regions. More specifically, she investigates these processes in a mouse model of maternal gestational infection, which is an established environmental risk factor of schizophrenia and autism. Dr. Richetto’s research combines behavioral and cognitive tests, neuroanatomical investigations and the use of various molecular techniques to explore the epigenetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the transmission of pathological traits induced by prenatal infection.

Academic Teaching and Student Supervision

Dr. Richetto taught various classes in the fields of basic pharmacology, neuropharmacology, and behavioral neurosciences at the University of Milan, Italy. She serves as a supervisor of graduate research students and is engaged in their supervision at the theoretical and practical levels. In addition to her academic teaching and supervising activities, Dr. Richetto also speaks at various international scientific conferences.

Selected Publications

Weber-Stadlbauer U, Richetto J, Labouesse MA, Bohacek J, Mansuy IM, Meyer U (in press): Transgenerational transmission and modification of pathological traits induced by prenatal immune activation. Molecular Psychiatry (Epub ahead of print).

S. Giovanoli*, J. Richetto*, T. Notter*, M.A. Labouesse, S. Vuillermot, M.A. Riva, U. Meyer (2015). Late prenatal immune activation causes hippocampal deficits in the absence of persistent inflammation across aging. Journal of Neuroinflammation.

J. Richetto, M. A. Labouesse, M. M. Poe, J. M. Cook, A. A. Grace, M. A. Riva, U. Meyer (2015). Behavioral effects of the benzodiazepine positive allosteric modulator SH-053-2’F-S-CH3 in an immune-mediated neurodevelopmental disruption model. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.

J. Richetto, F. Calabrese, M. A. Riva, U. Meyer (2014). Prenatal immune activation induces maturation-dependent alterations in the prefrontal GABAergic transcriptome. Schizophrenia Bullettin.

J. Richetto, F. Calabrese, U. Meyer, M. A. Riva (2013). Prenatal versus postnatal maternal factors in the development of infection-induced working memory impairments in mice. Brain Behavior and Immunity

S. Giovanoli, H. Engler, A. Engler, J. Richetto, M. Voegt, R. Willi, C. Winter, MA. Riva, PB. Mortensen, M. Schedlowski, U. Meyer (2013). Stress in puberty unmasks latent neuropathological consequences of prenatal immune activation in mice. Science.

Full List of Publications and Citation Metrics