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Damiano Piovesan is Associate Professor in Bioinformatics (SSD BIO/10) at the Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Padua , Italy. Since March 2022 he has held this rank, having previously served as Assistant Professor (2022) and PostDoc researcher (2019) in the same department. Education 2013 – PhD in Biotechnology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bologna 2009 – MSc in Bioinformatics, University of Bologna 2007 – BSc in Biotechnology, University of Bologna Research Focus Piovesan’s research integrates machine-learning approaches with structural bioinformatics to advance understanding of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and protein function prediction . He develops widely used resources such as MobiDB for disorder annotation, DisProt for functional curation of disordered regions, and RING for residue interaction networks. Additional interests include tandem repeat proteins , cancer-related IDP targets , and community benchmarking initiatives (CAFA, CAID, CAGI). Publication Trends His 2024–2025 output is dominated by updates to flagship databases ( InterPro , DisProt , MobiDB ), next-generation disorder predictors leveraging deep learning ( PredIDR , MobiDB-lite 4.0 ), and large-scale genomics challenges ( CAGI6 ). Across the decade, recurring themes include methodological advances in disorder prediction, creation of interoperable bioinformatics platforms, and rigorous benchmarking to ensure community-wide reliability. Scientific Awards No specific awards are listed in the provided materials. Advising & Grants No individual students or grant details are explicitly supplied; however, his leadership in multi-institutional consortia (e.g., InterPro, DisProt, CAFA) implies substantial supervisory and funding coordination roles. Labs & Teams Piovesan is affiliated with the BioComputingUP Lab ( https://biocomputingup.it/ ) at the University of Padua, a hub for computational biology and bioinformatics tool development.

• Protein function prediction
• Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs)
• Machine learning in bioinformatics
• +5 more

Francesco Neri is a Professor at the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS) at the University of Turin, Italy. His research focuses on the epigenetic mechanisms underlying aging and cancer development, particularly in intestinal stem cells. He leads the Epigenetics of Aging & Cancer Lab located at the Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC) "Guido Tarone" in Turin and maintains collaborations with the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in Jena, Germany. Professor Neri's research interests span several interconnected areas related to aging and disease: Epigenetic drift and DNA methylation changes during aging Intestinal stem cell biology and regeneration in aging Inflammaging (age-related chronic inflammation) Gut microbiome dysbiosis in elderly individuals Development of dietary interventions for healthy aging Colon cancer development and epigenetic mechanisms His research group employs cutting-edge technologies including single-cell RNA sequencing, organoid culture systems, and various genome-wide approaches (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, Bisulfite-seq) to investigate the molecular mechanisms connecting aging with intestinal dysfunction and cancer. Recent work has revealed important connections between interferon gamma signaling, intestinal stem cell function, and tissue regeneration in aging. Professor Neri's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on aging, epigenetics, and intestinal biology, with numerous high-impact publications in journals such as Nature Communications, Cell Reports, and Nature Reviews. His work shows a clear trajectory from fundamental epigenetic mechanisms to translational applications in aging and cancer. His research has important implications for developing interventions to improve intestinal health in elderly individuals and potentially prevent age-related diseases including cancer.

• Epigenetics
• Aging Research
• Cancer Biology
• +5 more

Emidio Capriotti is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna. He leads the Second Cycle Degree in Bioinformatics and holds a PhD in Physical Sciences. His research focuses on predicting protein stability changes due to genetic variations using machine learning, with applications in personalized medicine. He develops tools like DDGun and PhD-SNPg for variant interpretation. Teaching includes courses on Bioinformatics, Biophysics, and Lab Techniques for Bioinformatics. His work bridges computational methods and biological problems, particularly in cancer genomics and protein structural analysis. Education: PhD in Physical Sciences from the University of Bologna. Research interests include structural bioinformatics, protein folding, and the interplay between genomic variations and disease. He collaborates with initiatives like CAGI challenges and ELIXIR-IT to advance genomic data infrastructure. Publications emphasize protein stability prediction, federated learning in clinical settings, and benchmarking computational methods. His lab contributes to open-source tools and standards for reproducible machine learning in biology.

• Structural Bioinformatics
• Protein Stability Prediction
• Machine Learning in Biology
• +3 more

Lorenzo Farina is a Full Professor at Sapienza University of Rome's Faculty of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Statistics, specializing in Electronic and Computer Bioengineering (ING-INF/06). With over 25 years of academic leadership, he co-founded Italy's first Bioinformatics degree program and established key oncology precision medicine initiatives, maintaining active collaborations with Harvard Medical School's network medicine division. His educational background includes a cum laude Electronic Engineering degree and PhD in Systems Engineering, both from Sapienza University. These foundational studies evolved into pioneering work in positive linear systems theory, evidenced by his highly-cited Wiley textbook Positive Linear Systems: Theory and Applications (2000). Farina's research centers on network medicine – applying complex network science to molecular medicine since his 2004 breakthrough. His work spans cancer mechanisms (breast, glioblastoma, lung), drug repositioning (including COVID-19 applications), and liquid biopsy biomarker development. Current projects focus on miRNA-based network biomarkers for cancer diagnostics and immunotherapy response prediction, integrating multi-omics data through advanced computational frameworks. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals dominant themes: sexual dimorphism in cancer networks (MIRROR platform), immunotherapy response signatures, and critical examinations of AI's role in precision medicine. His work consistently bridges computational innovation with clinical applications, particularly in oncology diagnostics and therapeutic optimization. His scientific recognition includes: 2001 Guillemin-Cauer Award for best IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems article 2014 SysBio Award for annual best publication Farina actively mentors through interdisciplinary programs he established, including the Network Oncology doctoral program. His laboratory collaborations span Sapienza's Oncogenomics and Immunology Laboratories, Harvard's Channing Division of Network Medicine, and clinical departments in oncology and radiology, driving translational research from computational models to patient applications. He leads multiple research teams focused on network-based diagnostics, including the MIRROR platform for cancer disparity analysis and liquid biopsy development teams investigating circulating miRNA networks for early cancer detection across multiple malignancies.

• Network Medicine
• Bioinformatics
• Systems Biology
• +6 more

Alberto Pettignano is a Full Professor in the Department of Physics and Chemistry at the University of Palermo (UNIPA). His office hours are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (3:00-5:00 PM) at Building 17, Studio (PT008) or via Teams platform. He can be contacted at +3909123897959 or alberto.pettignano@unipa.it. Research Interests: Dr. Pettignano specializes in Environmental Chemistry, focusing on metal ion adsorption processes, chemical speciation, and the development of nanomaterials for pollutant removal. His work explores adsorbents derived from marine biomass (e.g., Posidonia oceanica), functionalized clays, and cyclodextrin-based nanosponges for heavy metal and organic contaminant mitigation. Recent publications highlight his contributions to heavy metal remediation (Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Hg 2+ ), adsorption kinetics , and nanomaterial design for environmental applications. He investigates metal-organic interactions, including Schiff base complexes for anticancer therapies and catalytic systems using palladium and zinc oxide nanoparticles.

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• +3 more

Fabio Favati is an Associate Professor of Food Science & Technology at the Department of Biotechnology , University of Verona. He holds roles including member of the Faculty Board of PhD in Smart Agrifood Sciences and Biotechnology Teaching Committee. His research focuses on sustainable food processing, agro-food by-product valorization using green technologies (e.g., supercritical fluids and NADES), and sensory analysis. He leads the Supercritical Fluid Lab and Sensory Analysis Lab (ISO 8589:2007-certified) at the Department. Education & Experience : Curriculum includes extensive contributions to food innovation and sustainability. Teaching spans courses like Food Processing & Preservation Technologies, Food Product Development, and Quality Management in the Food Industry across multiple academic programs. Research Interests : Development of eco-friendly extraction methods (e.g., NADES for carotenoids/anthocyanins), functional food fortification, and holistic food preservation integrating sensory evaluation. Projects include valorizing olive oil by-products, microalgae biomass, and pumpkin/radicchio wastes. Collaborates with local/national industries. Grants & Projects : Leads initiatives like SustaIn4Food (2020–) for sustainable agro-food processes and functional food development. Engages in industry partnerships for product innovation (e.g., fortified chocolate, low-FODMAP foods). Labs & Facilities : Manages advanced labs for supercritical fluid technology and sensory analysis. Equipment includes high-pressure reactors (up to 100 MPa) and computerized sensory data systems.

• Food Science & Technology
• Sustainable Food Processing
• Agro-Food By-Product Valorization
• +4 more

Claudia Andreini is an Associate Professor at the University of Florence, affiliated with the Magnetic Resonance Center and the Department of Chemistry. Her research focuses on computational biology, particularly metalloproteins and bioinformatics. She pioneered the use of bioinformatics to study metalloproteins and developed the MetalPDB database. She collaborates internationally and has presented at major conferences. Education: PhD in Chemistry (2006), University of Florence; Laurea in Chemistry (2002, cum laude), University of Florence. Research interests include metalloprotein structure-function relationships, metal-coordination databases, and predictive computational tools. Her work integrates structural bioinformatics, machine learning, and database mining to analyze metal sites in proteins. Recent publications highlight advancements in zinc-binding site prediction, metal-induced structural variability, and applications of deep learning in metalloprotein analysis. She has contributed to drug design studies involving ruthenium complexes and antibacterial agents. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided texts. She leads the MetalPDB project and collaborates on structural biology initiatives.

• Metalloproteins
• Bioinformatics
• Biological Databases
• +3 more

Alfredo Benso is a Full Professor in the Department of Control and Computer Science (DAUIN) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he is also a member of the Interdepartmental Center PolitoBIOMed Lab - Biomedical Engineering Lab. He has been continuously involved in the Doctoral College for Computer and Systems Engineering since 2008, guiding PhD education across numerous cycles. His academic roles span teaching and research leadership in bioinformatics, systems biology, and computer engineering. Research interests: Bioinformatics and computational biology Systems biology and gene regulatory networks Artificial intelligence and machine learning in biomedicine Molecular modeling and multiscale simulation Biological database systems and data integration Health informatics and public health modeling His recent publications reflect a strong trend in applying AI and machine learning to biological and medical challenges, including protein function prediction, Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis modeling, food fraud detection, and viral genome analysis. These works span journals and conferences in bioinformatics, computational biology, and biomedical engineering, demonstrating interdisciplinary innovation. Scientific Awards: BIOINFORMATICS 2014 BEST PAPER AWARD (INSTICC, United Kingdom) Advising and Grants: He supervises PhD students, including Sofia Ostellino, and leads major research initiatives such as the BIGMECH (2023–2025) and FISHUB (2016–2018) projects. He has served as Scientific Director for collaborative agreements with public administrations and as Principal Investigator on EU, national (PRIN), and regional research grants focused on bioinformatics, space systems, and reliable digital technologies. Labs and Teams: He is a key member of the SBG - System Biology Group (DAUIN) and contributes to PolitoBIOMed Lab, fostering collaborative research in biomedical engineering and computational biology.

• Bioinformatics
• Systems Biology
• Artificial Intelligence
• +16 more

Dr. Giulia Mazzoccanti is a Research Fellow at the Department of Chemistry and Drug Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome. She holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Sapienza University of Rome (2018) and an MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (2015) with top honors. Her academic appointments include her current position as Research Fellow (2021-present), Postdoctoral Researcher at Sapienza University of Rome (2019-2021), and upcoming Visiting Researcher position at CIC biomaGUNE, Spain (Oct 2024-Mar 2025). Dr. Mazzoccanti's research focuses on: Chirality and stereochemistry in natural and synthetic compounds Chiral stationary phases: synthesis and application in UHPLC, UHPSFC Absolute configuration assignment and stereostability of chiral systems Separation and profiling of cannabinoids (CBC, Δ⁹-THC) Functionalized nanomaterials (carbon nanodots) Epimeric peptide impurities in pharmaceutical products Her work demonstrates a strong integration of theoretical and experimental approaches to solve complex problems in separation science and stereochemistry. She has developed advanced techniques for unraveling the complexity of natural substances, ranging from small chiral molecules to large proteins, with particular emphasis on chiral separations using innovative stationary phases. Dr. Mazzoccanti has published 43 peer-reviewed articles (2016-2024) with an H-index of 12 and 506 citations (Scopus, April 2024). Her research has appeared in high-impact journals including Journal of Organic Chemistry, Chirality, Journal of Natural Products, TrAC, Analytical Chemistry, and ChemCatChem. Her publication record shows a consistent trajectory of scholarly output with increasing impact in the fields of chiral separations, natural products chemistry, and pharmaceutical analysis. She has received recognition through invitations to speak at international conferences including HANDS 2024 – International School on Chirality (Como, Italy), Extreme Chromatography Workshop (CNR Rome, 2023), and Global Summit on Catalysis and Chemical Engineering (Rome, 2023). Her scientific service includes: Topic Editor for MDPI journals: Molecules, Biomolecules, Metabolites, Separations Reviewer for journals: RSC Advances, Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, etc. Member of the Local Scientific Committee – Chirality 2023, Rome Dr. Mazzoccanti is actively involved in research funding as Principal Investigator of two research agreements (2023, 2024) with Fresenius Kabi iPSUM, focused on stereoselective high-performance separations. She also participates in university-funded major research projects such as MACbyMOCC (asymmetric catalysis in flow). Her teaching activities include: Organic Chemistry (in English), 6 CFU, BSc in Molecular Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Computer Science for Pharmaceutical Applications (48 hours) Organic Chemistry and Natural Products Chemistry, 5 CFU of 9, BSc in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (40 hours) Lecture on chiral selector design for enantiodiscrimination for PhD in Chemistry, University of Milan Teaching module titled "Advanced techniques in separation science for unraveling the complexity of natural products and (bio)pharmaceuticals" for PhD in Molecular Design and Characterization for Health

• Chirality and Stereochemistry
• Separation Science
• Chromatography
• +4 more

Devid Maniglio is an Associate Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento. His research focuses on bioengineering, biomaterials, and tissue engineering, with a particular emphasis on bioprinting, surface modification, and functional materials. He has contributed to advancements in silk fibroin and hydrogel-based systems for medical applications. Research Interests Bioengineering for personalized medicine Biomaterials and surface engineering 3D bioprinting and tissue regeneration Molecular imprinting and biosensors Drug delivery and cell encapsulation Teaching Diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for personalized medicine Engineered materials for precision medicine Fundamentals of biomedical technologies Functional surfaces laboratory Labs & Collaborations Devid Maniglio is affiliated with the Functional Surfaces Laboratory at the University of Trento, collaborating with researchers such as Stefano Rossi and Flavio Deflorian. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches in biomedical engineering and sustainable medical technologies.

• Bioengineering
• Biomaterials
• Tissue Engineering
• +10 more

Patrizia Savi is a Tenured Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of Turin within the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications. She actively participates in the Power Electronics Innovation Center (PEIC) and serves as a Senior Member of IEEE and the International Union of Radio Science . Teaching: She has been the Titolare del corso for 'Campi Elettromagnetici' (Electromagnetic Fields) since 2019-2021 at the Polytechnic University of Turin. Key Collaborations: Works with researchers across Italy and international institutions on projects involving GNSS-R for environmental monitoring. Research Interests: Her work focuses on GNSS Reflectometry for soil moisture retrieval, carbon-based composites (graphene, biochar, nanotubes) for microwave applications, and graphene tunable devices including biosensors. She also explores electromagnetic shielding using sustainable materials. Recent Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes machine learning integration with GNSS-R data, biochar composite shielding in construction materials, and graphene-based biosensors for glucose and HRP detection. Key applications span climate action , environmental monitoring , and medical diagnostics . Scientific Awards: IEEE Fellow (2016-) IEEE Senior Member (2016-) International Union of Radio Science Senior Member (2024-) Advising: Supervises PhD students Simone Gaetano Ballaera and Fabio Peinetti , focusing on graphene sensors and tunable devices.

• GNSS Reflectometry
• Microwave Characterization of Materials
• Graphene Nanoplatelets
• +3 more

Francesco Cappello is a Full Professor in the Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics at the University of Palermo, Italy, where he also serves as Vice-Rector for Student Life. His office is located in the Human Anatomy and Histology Building, where he maintains regular office hours for students. Professor Cappello teaches across multiple departments including Medicine and Surgery, Biomedical Engineering, and Sciences of Motor and Sport Activities. Professor Cappello's research program centers on molecular chaperones, particularly Heat Shock Protein 60 (Hsp60), and their roles in various physiological and pathological conditions. He has developed the concept of the "muco-microbiotic layer" as a novel morphofunctional structure and investigates how probiotics and nanovesicles might target this layer in disease conditions. His work spans multiple systems including the digestive system, skeletal muscle, neuroendocrine system, and respiratory system, exploring Hsp60's potential as both a biomarker and therapeutic target. Analysis of Professor Cappello's recent publications reveals a comprehensive exploration of Hsp60 across multiple disease contexts. His 2025 publications demonstrate particular interest in the relationship between Hsp60 and skeletal muscle diseases, digestive system pathologies, and the neuroendocrine system. He is also pioneering connections between molecular chaperones and artificial intelligence applications in biomedical research, while investigating the therapeutic potential of probiotics like Lactobacillus fermentum LF31 in modulating inflammatory pathways and muscle atrophy. Professor Cappello has maintained consistent teaching responsibilities across multiple academic years, instructing Human Anatomy II in Medicine and Surgery programs, Elements of Anatomy in Biomedical Engineering specializations, and Human Morphology courses in Motor and Sport Sciences. His teaching spans both foundational anatomy and specialized applications across various health science disciplines, reflecting his broad expertise in anatomical sciences.

• Human Anatomy
• Molecular Chaperones
• Heat Shock Proteins
• +4 more

Giorgio Stassi serves as a Professor in the Department of Surgical and Oncological Disciplines at the School of Medicine and Surgery , University of Palermo . His research focuses on cancer stem cells (CSCs) across colorectal, breast, and thyroid malignancies, with emphasis on microenvironment interactions and therapy resistance mechanisms. Office hours are held weekly at the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology in Palermo. His research interests include: Precision Medicine applications in CSC-targeted therapies Immunological profiling of tumor microenvironments Epigenetic and metabolic drivers of chemoresistance Bioinformatic analysis of CSC phenotypes Drug repurposing for CSC eradication Recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward computational oncology and immunomicroenvironment engineering , with notable work on tumor-on-chip systems, NGS-based prognostics, and macrophage-CSC crosstalk. Key journals include Magazine article and Review essay formats addressing clinical translation of laboratory findings. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. His supervisory activities include thesis guidance ("Tesi curate") and Erasmus program coordination, though specific students and projects aren't listed. Research is conducted primarily at the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology , with institutional support from the ATeN Center and ASCENT Advanced Studies Centre.

• Cancer Stem Cells
• Tumor Microenvironment
• Precision Medicine
• +7 more

Franco Tagliapietra is an Associate Professor at the University of Padova , Italy. His research focuses on animal nutrition , rumen fermentation , and methane emissions in dairy cattle, with additional interests in milk and cheese composition . Key research areas: Methane mitigation in ruminants, dietary supplements, microbial community analysis, cheese quality assessment. Recent publications highlight advancements in in vitro fermentation analysis (e.g., Gas Endeavour equipment), plant-based additives to reduce methane, and comparative studies on milk/mineral profiles across species. His work bridges agricultural sustainability and dairy product innovation .

• Animal Nutrition
• Rumen Fermentation
• Methane Emissions
• +3 more

Stefano Bruno is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma with a focus on Biochemistry . He holds a PhD in Biochemical Sciences from the University of Turin (2002) and has been teaching since 2004, including courses like Applied Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemical Analysis across multiple degree programs. Education : 1997: MS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Parma 2002: PhD in Biochemical Sciences, University of Turin His research spans heme proteins , enzyme characterization , and pharmaceutical applications . Key areas include: Structural and functional analysis of hemoproteins (e.g., neuroglobin, cytoglobin) Development of blood substitutes via hemoglobin modifications Investigation of serine racemase and phosphoserine phosphatase in neurological contexts Protein immobilization in silica gels for functional studies His publications (70+ peer-reviewed, H-index 20) emphasize Antarctic bacterial proteins , enzymatic inhibition , and radiopharmaceutical quality control . He has supervised 8 PhD students and contributed to international conferences like the International Symposium on Blood Substitutes . Recent work includes fluorescent biosensors, NO sensing proteins, and covalent enzyme inhibitors for cancer therapy . Awards : No specific scientific awards listed. Teaching & Leadership : Active in PhD programs ( Biochemistry , Pharmaceutical Sciences ), international schools like the ULLA Summer School , and conference organization (e.g., New Challenges in Protein Science ).

• Biochemistry
• Protein Science
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• +2 more