Rate My Professor Laura Piccio

Piccio's research investigates immune mechanisms of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) and related disorders, emphasizing microglia function, TREM2 signaling for myelin debris clearance and remyelination, and the interplay of diet, gut microbiome, metabolism, and immunity in MS pathogenesis. Her team explores intermittent calorie restriction's immunomodulatory effects in MS patients, as demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial published in 2024. She leads projects funded by MS Australia on TREM2 in remyelination and secured a $2.9 million NHMRC grant in 2023 for an integrated approach to target neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. Key publications include "MS4A4A and MS4A6A: New targets to enhance microglia protective functions in multiple sclerosis" (Neuron, 2026), "Spatial characterisation of TREM2 expression in actively demyelinating MS lesions" (2026), "Cardiometabolic and molecular adaptations to 6-month intermittent calorie restriction in people with multiple sclerosis" (Nature Communications, 2025), "Higher CSF sTREM2 and microglia activation are associated with slower rates of myelin repair" (EMBO Molecular Medicine, 2020), and "Targeting the gut to treat multiple sclerosis" (Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2021). Earlier in her career, she received the Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar Award from the National MS Society in 2010. Her work bridges basic research and clinical translation, contributing significantly to MS therapeutics.