Luca Marchetti

Luca Marchetti is an Italian post-doctoral researcher currently working as a Research Fellow in Nanomedicine at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine. His primary appointment runs from January 2024 to December 2026 with a full-time position (1.00), following previous appointments at the same institution since January 2024.

He earned his PhD in Plant and Animal Production Sciences from the University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy in 2023, with his doctoral research focusing on 'Development of a novel nanotechnological approach for the treatment of medulloblastoma.' His academic background includes a Master's Degree in Biotechnology for Agriculture, Environment, and Health (2016-2019) and a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (2012-2015), both from the University of Tuscia.

Marchetti's research centers on nanomedicine, specifically developing innovative drug delivery platforms using plant virus nanoparticles for brain tumor treatment. His work integrates viro-technology, nanomaterials, cancer biology, tumor targeting, and molecular biology in a multidisciplinary approach to create new therapeutic strategies. His research focuses particularly on Shh-dependent medulloblastoma, utilizing Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus nanoparticles as delivery vehicles capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.

His publication record shows a clear progression in nanomedicine research, with four significant publications between 2021-2023 focusing on plant virus nanoparticles for drug delivery to brain tumors. These works demonstrate increasing sophistication in targeting mechanisms, particularly with C-end rule peptides, and validation in animal models of medulloblastoma.

Marchetti is actively involved in three major research projects at the University of Tartu: 'Programmable Bionanomaterials with Protein-Controlled Behavior' (2025-2028, €257,600, European Commission), 'Precision targeting of infiltrative glioblastoma' (2023-2027, €810,000, Estonian Research Council), and 'Homing peptides for modulation of the peripheral nervous system' (2025-2026, €151,948, Estonian Research Council). All projects are led by Professor Tambet Teesalu, with Marchetti contributing his expertise in nanomedicine and plant virus nanoparticles.

He has participated in significant scientific conferences including the 5th International Society for Plant Molecular Farming Congress (2022, Rome) where he presented an oral communication, and the XV Congress of the Italian Federation of Life Sciences (2018, Rome) with a poster contribution. He also completed a 45 CME credit training course for laboratory animal protection in 2020 at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome.