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Francesca Rappa is a Full Professor in the Department of Human Anatomy and Histology within the School of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Palermo. Her academic position (BIOS-12/A classification) centers on biomedicine, neuroscience, and advanced diagnostics with a focus on molecular mechanisms of disease. Her research spans multiple interconnected domains centered on stress response systems. Key interests include: Molecular chaperone networks (particularly Hsp60, Hsp90, Hsp27) in carcinogenesis Thyroid and colorectal cancer pathophysiology Glioblastoma multiforme molecular characterization Probiotic interventions for gut-liver-muscle axis disorders Nanovesicle-based therapeutics from citrus and tomatoes Diagnostic applications of heat shock proteins in inflammatory diseases Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on chaperone systems across cancer types (thyroid, salivary, colorectal, brain), with recent expansion into nutraceutical mechanisms involving citrus nanovesicles and golden tomatoes. Her 2023-2025 output shows increasing emphasis on multi-organ communication pathways (gut-brain, gut-liver-muscle) and industrial-scale therapeutic applications. Methodologically, she integrates immunohistochemistry, proteomics, and animal disease models. Teaching responsibilities include core anatomy courses for Medicine and Radiology programs: Anatomy I (10 CFU) and II (6 CFU) for Medicine Human Anatomy with Histology elements (6 CFU) for Radiology Integrated Anatomy/Biochemistry/Physiology modules (12 CFU) She actively supervises graduate research, with four theses directed between 2020-2024 covering celiac disease histopathology, stress protein interactions in colorectal cancer, glioblastoma biomarkers, and thyroid stress responses. Her laboratory work focuses on immunomorphological analysis of chaperone systems in tumor tissues and development of probiotic/nanovesicle interventions for metabolic and inflammatory conditions.

• Molecular Chaperones in Cancer
• Heat Shock Proteins (Hsp60, Hsp90, Hsp27)
• Thyroid Pathology
• +5 more

Pasquale Luca Curci is a Researcher at the Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), part of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) in Bari. His work focuses on integrating large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets to uncover biological mechanisms in plants, particularly in crops like durum wheat and artichoke. His research interests span genomics, transcriptomics, and network biology, with a strong emphasis on nitrogen use efficiency, gene regulatory networks, and plant stress responses. He employs systems biology approaches to identify key genes and regulatory elements involved in plant development and adaptation. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on plant genomics, particularly in durum wheat and Cynara species. His work integrates omics data to understand gene function, stress responses, and evolutionary relationships. Key themes include nitrogen metabolism, microRNA regulation, chloroplast genomics, and cross-species network analysis. He has led and coordinated multiple national and international research collaborations with institutions in Belgium, Sweden, Spain, France, and Italy, focusing on gene function discovery, nitrogen efficiency, and germplasm characterization. Integrative network analysis for gene function discovery in wheat (with BASF Agricultural Solutions, Belgium) Cross-species network biology in plants (with SweTree Technologies, Sweden) Transcriptomics and regulatory networks in durum wheat (with Sequentia Biotech SL, Spain) Phenotypization and genomic analysis of durum wheat (with Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna) Asparagine synthetase genes in durum wheat (with INRA-CNRGV, France) He has contributed to the development of genomic resources for Cynara and has published extensively on chloroplast genomics, transcriptomics under nitrogen stress, and genetic diversity in vegetable crops. His work supports crop improvement and sustainable agriculture through advanced molecular tools.

• Genomics
• Transcriptomics
• Network Biology
• +7 more

Licio Collavin is a Full Professor in Cellular and Applied Biology at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste. He serves as a member of the Research Evaluation Commission (CVR), Department Board, and Course of Study Recommendations Committee. Additionally, he acts as Deputy Coordinator for multiple Doctoral Colleges in Molecular Biomedicine and Medical Biotechnology. Dr. Collavin's educational background includes: Graduated in Biological Sciences PhD from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste Postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Cell Biology under Prof. Marc W. Kirschner Professor Collavin's research focuses on the molecular basis of cancer, particularly on tumor suppressor genes in differentiation and oncogenesis. His laboratory investigates the complex interaction of cancer cells with their environment, including other cells and the immune system. Key research areas include: Exploring gain-of-function properties of mutant p53 through novel interacting proteins Studying the tumor suppressor DAB2IP as a target for post-transcriptional inactivation in cancer Investigating how mutant p53 binds and inhibits DAB2IP, affecting cancer cell responses to inflammation and insulin Examining DAB2IP inactivation by micro-RNAs and their impact on cancer progression Analysis of Professor Collavin's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on molecular oncology, particularly the interplay between tumor suppressor genes and cancer progression. His work demonstrates a strong emphasis on p53 mutations and their oncogenic properties, DAB2IP function and inactivation mechanisms, and the complex signaling pathways that regulate cancer cell behavior. The research spans from fundamental molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications, showing a translational approach to cancer biology. Professor Collavin leads an active research group with several doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. His laboratory has received funding for multiple research projects including "BIO-D - Development of Diagnostic Biomarkers for Precision Medicine and Personalized Therapy," "National Center for Gene Therapy and Drug Based on RNA Technology," and "Innovative Models for Advanced Omics Science Applications." His group members include current researchers Olga Pastorino, Nicoletta Franco, Arooj Fatima, and Monica Rossin, as well as notable past members who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. Professor Collavin's laboratory is part of the Tumor Suppressor Genes in Differentiation and Oncogenesis research group within the Department of Life Sciences. The lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression and the complex interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment. Current research projects include investigating mutant p53's impact on cancer cell responses to microenvironmental stress and exploring DAB2IP regulation in epithelial cells under conditions of high cell density.

• Molecular Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Tumor Suppressor Genes
• +3 more

Davide CORA' is an Associate Professor at the University of Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro , affiliated with the Department of Translational Medicine. He has held this position since at least 2023 and continues to be actively involved in research. Research Interests : Davide’s work focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and viral infections. Key areas include microRNA regulation, transcription factors (e.g., Transcription Factor EB), bioinformatics analysis, and translational medicine applications. His research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being, contributing to innovative solutions in medical science. Projects & Grants : He leads A computational pipeline for Alzheimer’s gut microbiota analysis (MUR-funded, 2023–2025) Role of mRNA splicing in cancer cachexia (MUR-funded, 2023–2025) and co-investigated Vitamin D’s role in preventing skeletal muscle loss (2023–ongoing) FFABR 2017–2021 foundational research funding (MIUR) Collaborations : Davide collaborates with researchers like Favero, Gagliardi, Gravina, and others, focusing on interdisciplinary projects in bioinformatics, microbiology, and oncology.

• Molecular Biology
• MicroRNA Regulation
• Transcription Factors
• +4 more

Erik Dassi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO) within the University of Trento. His research focuses on RNA biology, particularly investigating RNA structure-functional relationships, translational control mechanisms, and their implications in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and genetic disorders. He specializes in exploring how RNA modifications, G-quadruplex structures, and post-transcriptional regulatory networks drive disease processes and therapeutic resistance. Teaching activities include courses on Computational Biology, Cancer Genomics, Genomics Technologies, Programming, and Scientific Programming. His work emphasizes integrative approaches combining experimental and computational methods, such as polysomal profiling, allele-specific proteomics, and single-cell transcriptomics. Key research themes include: RNA G-quadruplex regulation of mitochondrial translation and energy metabolism ( n =3 articles in 2025), YTHDF proteins as tumor drivers in m6A pathways ( n =2 articles in 2024), and circular RNA roles in Huntington’s disease ( n =4 articles across 2021-2024). His work highlights translational reprogramming in cancer therapy resistance and RNA-based biomarker discovery.

• Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
• Data Analysis
• Bioinformatics
• +12 more

Francesca ORSO is an Associate Professor at the Department of Translational Medicine , Universita' degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale 'Amedeo Avogadro'. Her research focuses on MicroRNA mechanisms in cancer progression, particularly in Melanoma , Breast Cancer , and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia . She explores how miRNAs regulate Tumor Metabolism , Metastasis , and Drug Resistance , with a strong emphasis on mTORC2 , Angiogenesis , and Tumor Microenvironment interactions. Key Research Areas : MicroRNA, Cancer Biology, Tumor Metabolism, Molecular Biology, Medical Biotechnology, Genetics Recent Trends : Her 2024 publications highlight miR-15a in Leukemia , RICTOR/mTORC2 in Melanoma Resistance , and miR-214 in Lung Cancer Metabolism . Earlier studies (2023-2008) address 3D Culture Systems , AXL-miRNA Sponges , and Transcription Factor Networks in tumor dissemination. Awards : Premio Chiara D'Onofrio Giovani Riercatori (2009)

• MicroRNA
• Cancer Biology
• Tumor Metabolism
• +3 more

Gianfranco Michele Maria Politano is an Associate Professor at the Department of Control and Computer Science (DAUIN) at Polytechnic University of Turin, with affiliations to the College of Computer, Film and Mechatronics Engineering and College of Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, and Deep Learning applications in health. Research trends span computational modeling of biological systems, protein function prediction using machine learning, and public health analysis of disease burdens (influenza, rectal cancer, and COVID-19). He also investigates gene regulatory networks and microRNA roles in inflammation. His teaching includes Bioinformatics and Internship courses for Computer Engineering and Aerospace Engineering students since 2019. He supervises PhD student Sofia Ostellino on computational solutions for disease monitoring and has secured research grants for biostatistics projects like DIDES (exotic animal diagnostics) and rectal cancer ultrasound staging. Notable projects : DIDES (2020), Feasibility study for rectal cancer diagnostics (2021) Patents : Computerized culture protocols for biomanufacturing, Simulation of biological ontogeny

• Bioinformatics
• Systems Biology
• Deep Learning
• +6 more

Ivano Legnini is a Research Group Leader at Human Technopole in Milan, Italy, where he leads the Legnini Group within the Genomics center. He established his independent laboratory at Human Technopole in March 2023 after completing an EMBO fellowship at the Max Delbrück Center – Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology. Legnini earned his degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology from Sapienza University of Rome in 2012 and completed his PhD there in 2016, working on non-coding RNA and post-transcriptional regulation in Irene Bozzoni's laboratory. His research focuses on gene regulation, particularly RNA metabolism and processing, using innovative approaches that combine optogenetics with spatial transcriptomics in organoid models. His group has developed technologies such as FLAM-seq for studying poly(A) tail regulation. Current research areas include understanding mRNA isoform selection, spatial regulation of gene expression in neurodevelopment, and viral encephalitis modeling. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on developing and applying cutting-edge genomic technologies to understand RNA regulation in three-dimensional biological systems. His work spans from fundamental RNA biology to disease modeling, with particular emphasis on neurodevelopment and cancer. EMBO fellowship recipient Legnini mentors several students and postdocs in his lab, including PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on RNA dynamics and spatiotemporal gene regulation. His group actively develops genomic technologies for gene expression perturbation and profiling. The Legnini Group combines molecular and systems biology approaches, using synthetic biology and optogenetics to engineer cells and organoids to reproduce complex regulatory cascades, then applying integrative transcriptomics techniques to understand gene regulation principles.

• Gene Regulation
• RNA Metabolism
• Post-transcriptional Regulation
• +7 more

Stefania Grimaudo is a Full Professor at the Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child, Internal Medicine and Specialist Medical Competences "G. D'Alessandro" within the School of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Palermo. Her research focuses on genetic and metabolic mechanisms in liver diseases, inflammation, and epigenetics.

• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
• Genetic Variants
• Epigenetics
• +9 more

Giorgio Mangino is an Associate Professor at the Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome. His research focuses on HPV tumor microenvironment, exosomes and microvesicles, Signal Transduction, microRNA, and inflammatory diseases. With a career spanning multiple decades, he has established himself as a leading researcher in viral oncology and immunology, particularly in understanding how HPV oncoproteins modulate cellular signaling and immune responses. Dr. Mangino earned his Laurea in Biological Sciences with highest honors (110/110 cum laude) from Sapienza University of Rome in 1995, followed by a PhD in Immunological Sciences in 2006. His educational journey included specialized training in flow cytometry, biostatistics, and English language proficiency (Trinity College Grade 7 certification). He has held various research positions at University of Rome Tre and Sapienza University before securing his current position as Associate Professor. His research trajectory evolved from early studies on interferon signaling in erythroleukemic cells, through investigations of HIV-1 Nef protein's effects on macrophage signaling, to his current focus on HPV-induced carcinogenesis. Dr. Mangino has made significant contributions to understanding how viral proteins manipulate host cell signaling pathways, particularly regarding Nef's role in inducing proinflammatory states and HPV oncoproteins' effects on microRNA expression and tumor microenvironment modulation. Dr. Mangino's recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on translational research, particularly in developing extracellular vesicle-based biomarkers for skin cancer diagnosis and understanding immune profiles in autoimmune disorders. His work bridges fundamental virology with clinical applications, demonstrating consistent evolution from basic mechanisms to potential diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Scientific Awards: Seymour and Vivian Milstein Travel Award (2005, 2006, 2007, 2011) Eurovirology Travel Grant (2007) Best Poster Award of Società Italiana di Virologia (2008) As a cytometrist, Dr. Mangino collaborates extensively across multiple research projects requiring advanced cellular analysis techniques. He has served as thesis advisor for numerous Master's students and teaches courses in immunology, virology, and laboratory medicine. His current research projects focus on extracellular vesicle-based diagnostics for skin lesions, biomarker discovery in actinic keratosis progression, and immune profiling of patients receiving cancer immunotherapies. Dr. Mangino directs the Flow Cytometry Laboratory at Sapienza University, supporting a wide range of research initiatives within the Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies.

• HPV tumor microenvironment
• Exosomes and microvesicles
• Signal Transduction
• +7 more

Maria Antonella Zingaropoli is a Researcher at the Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome. Her research focuses on viral infections, immune responses, and neurological complications in chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS. She specializes in biomarker discovery (e.g., neurofilament light chain, MMP-9) for disease progression and treatment efficacy assessment. Key areas include JC virus reactivation in immunosuppressed patients, long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 (Long-COVID syndromes), and vaccine immunogenicity in vulnerable populations (e.g., transplant recipients, PLWH). She has contributed to studies on post-COVID neurological sequelae, including small fiber neuropathy and sensorineural hearing loss. Her work integrates virological, immunological, and clinical data to address critical questions in infectious disease management. Notable projects include assessing PML risk in natalizumab-treated MS patients and evaluating fecal microbiota transplantation efficacy in Clostridium difficile infections. Education: Advanced training in clinical virology and immunology (inferred from research focus). Grants/Projects: Serum neurofilament light chain as biomarker of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in MS patients Study of circulating T cells in HIV+ patients under ART Publications span high-impact journals like PLOS ONE , Frontiers in Immunology , and Acta Radiologica Open , emphasizing translational research with clinical relevance.

• Virology
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• +3 more

Giulia Fiscon is an Assistant Professor in Bioengineering at the Department of Computer, Automation, and Management Engineering (DIAG) of Sapienza University of Rome. She holds a summa cum laude degree in Biomedical Engineering from Campus Bio-Medico University (2012) and a PhD in Computer Science from Sapienza (2016, with top honors). Her research focuses on bioinformatics, computational biology, and network medicine, particularly in drug repurposing, cancer genomics, and systems pharmacology. She has authored 65+ publications with an h-index of 24 (Scopus). Current roles include teaching Bioinformatics courses and leading research on network-based approaches for drug discovery. Her work integrates transcriptomics, interactomics, and computational tools like SWIM and SAveRUNNER to address complex diseases. Recent projects include predicting drug responses in cancers, analyzing drug-toxicity interactions, and developing ontologies for Alzheimer’s data. Her research highlights include: Network medicine applications in oncology and neurodegenerative diseases Development of computational tools for RNA analysis and drug repurposing Investigation of microRNA-mRNA interactions in cancer progression Her articles emphasize drug repositioning strategies, precision medicine, and systems biology frameworks. She has collaborated with institutions like the National Research Council and the Foundation for Personalized Medicine.

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Network Medicine
• +5 more

Monia Savi is a Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Parma. With a PhD in Systemic Physiopathology (2009), she has held various academic positions since 2009, including Fixed-term research assistant (RTDa) (2018–present) and multiple Postdoctoral research fellow roles. Research Focus : Diabetic cardiomyopathy, cardiac regeneration, nanoparticle cardiotoxicity, and antiarrhythmic drug mechanisms. Collaborations : Works with experts in cardiology, stem cell research, and nanotoxicology across Italy and Europe. Awards : National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor (2017). She serves as a journal referee for multiple high-impact publications and contributes to European Society of Cardiology working groups. Her work emphasizes translational biomedical sciences , with teaching appointments in physiology courses since 2018.

• Diabetic cardiomyopathy
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Cardiac regeneration
• +3 more

Andrea De Martino is an Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT) , Polytechnic University of Turin , and a member of the SmartData@PoliTO Big Data and Data Science Laboratory. He works at the physics-biology interface , focusing on disordered systems, statistical mechanics, theoretical biology, and interdisciplinary applications. Scientific Branch: PHYS-02/A - Theoretical Physics of Fundamental Interactions, Models, Mathematical Methods ERC Skills: PE1_21 (Mathematics in Sciences), PE2_18 (Statistical Mechanics), PE3_16 (Physics of Biological Systems), PE3_15 (Statistical Physics and Complex Systems) Research Interests include disordered systems, critical phenomena, equilibrium/non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, theoretical biology (information processing, population dynamics, ecosystems), and interdisciplinary applications at the physics-biology interface. His work explores collective behavior, heterogeneity-fitness relationships, and metabolic strategies under environmental variability. Articles Trends reflect expertise in statistical mechanics applied to biological systems, with focus areas spanning RNA networks , microbial metabolism , phenotypic heterogeneity , gene regulation , and multi-cellular coordination . Recent publications address out-of-equilibrium dynamics in ceRNA systems, metabolic diversity analysis, and growth rate optimization in fluctuating environments. Research Projects include SIMBAD (2023-2027) - a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action on statistical inference for multiscale biological data. He participates in EU-funded research under Horizon Europe , focusing on MSCA Excellent Science initiatives. Teaching encompasses Physics I/II and Electromagnetism modules for Computer, Aerospace, and Automotive Engineering programs. He serves on doctoral colleges for Physics PhD programs at both Polytechnic University of Turin (2014-2025) and Sapienza University of Rome (2014-2016). Laboratories include the Statistical Physics and Interdisciplinary Applications (DISAT) research group and affiliation with the Condensed Matter Physics and Complex Systems Institute (DISAT) at Polytechnic University of Turin.

• Disordered Systems
• Field Theory
• Critical Phenomena
• +8 more

Alex Manicardi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental Sustainability Sciences at the University of Parma's Faculty of Chemistry. His academic responsibilities span multiple degree programs including Biotechnology, Materials Science, Chemistry, and Environmental and Resource Sciences, where he teaches core courses in organic chemistry, bio-organic chemistry, materials-focused chemistry, and chemical safety across undergraduate and graduate levels. Professor Manicardi's research program centers on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) engineering for nucleic acid targeting and therapeutic applications. His laboratory develops innovative chemical tools including furan-modified PNAs, photo-inducible crosslinking systems, and proximity-triggered ligation methodologies. This work bridges synthetic organic chemistry with biomedical challenges in cancer therapy (particularly colorectal cancer and glioblastoma) and genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, focusing on microRNA modulation and sequence-specific DNA/RNA targeting. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a clear trajectory from fundamental chemical methodology development toward biomedical translation. Key trends include red light-triggered DNA alkylation for G-quadruplex targeting, microRNA-inhibiting PNAs that induce cancer cell apoptosis, and furan-based systems enabling bio-orthogonal ligation. The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary integration across organic chemistry, chemical biology, and molecular oncology with significant therapeutic implications.

• Organic Chemistry
• Bio-Organic Chemistry
• Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA)
• +5 more