Andrea Vettori

Andrea Vettori is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at the University of Verona, specializing in Comparative Anatomy, Cell Biology and Developmental Biology (BIOS-04/A). He serves as President of the Organismo preposto al benessere degli animali OPBA (Animal Welfare Committee) and holds various institutional roles including membership on PhD Faculty Boards and Teaching Committees.

• Office: Ca' Vignal 1, Floor 1, Room 1.57
• Office Hours: Wednesday 10:00-12:00 by appointment via email
• Contact: +39 045 802 7861/7862

Dr. Vettori's research focuses on developmental genetics and cell biology using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism. His work centers on analyzing signaling pathways (Jak/Stat3, Hippo, Hypoxia, Tgfbeta) involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and diseases affecting the central nervous and neuromuscular systems. He has developed zebrafish platforms for studying human genetic diseases and employs CRISPR/Cas9 technology for in-vivo genome editing to create knockout and knock-in models.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on modeling human diseases in zebrafish, particularly neuromuscular disorders like Brody Disease and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, with emphasis on signaling pathway analysis and potential therapeutic interventions. The research shows consistent application of zebrafish models to investigate Wnt/β-catenin, Hippo, and other critical signaling pathways across multiple disease contexts.

Dr. Vettori teaches several courses including Cell Signaling in Health and Disease, Developmental Biology and Differentiation, and Model Organisms in Biotechnology Research across both Bachelor's and Master's programs.

His current research projects include investigations into kidney fibrosis, autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease, juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and hereditary spastic paraplegia, demonstrating a broad application of zebrafish models to diverse medical conditions.