Marco Arese

Marco Arese is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at the University of Turin, Italy. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms linking cancer biology with neurovascular interactions, particularly investigating the roles of synaptic proteins like Neuroligin and Neurexin in tumor progression and metastasis. He is actively involved in the Programma MD-PhD in Medicine and teaches courses on biochemical and molecular foundations of metabolism in medical programs. His work bridges oncology with neuroscience, emphasizing how proteins traditionally associated with neuronal synapses modulate cancer cell behavior.

Research Interests:

• Cancer-neurological crosstalk
• Neuroligin signaling in colorectal cancer (CRC)
• Metastasis and vascular invasion mechanisms
• Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulation
• Therapeutic targeting of synaptic proteins

Professional Activities:

• Member of the Department Council, Dipartimento di Oncologia
• Course instructor for advanced biochemistry and medical oncology modules
• Active in translational research targeting CRC metastasis

Key Contributions:

• First evidence of Neuroligin's role in CRC metastasis via APC/β-catenin pathway modulation
• Investigation of vascular permeability regulation by LPHN2 and Neuroligin proteins
• Pioneering studies on extraneuronal functions of synaptic proteins in angiogenesis