معرفی
Antonella Furini serves as a Full Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at the University of Verona's School of Science and Engineering. Her academic position falls under Academic sector AGRI-06/A - Agricultural Genetics, with research focus in Applied genetics, gene editing and transgenic organisms (ERC-2024 LS9_2) and Applied plant sciences, plant breeding, agroecology and soil biology (ERC-2024 LS9_8).
Professor Furini's research centers on molecular characterization of plant-metal interactions with applications in biotechnology. Her work specifically focuses on developing approaches for phytoremediation and biofortification through molecular genetic techniques. She leads the Genetica Molecolare e Colture Cellulari Vegetali (Molecular Genetics and Plant Cell Cultures) research group, which investigates plant responses to metal exposure and develops biotechnological solutions for environmental and agricultural challenges.
Her current research portfolio includes multiple significant projects such as GRANORESILIENTE (sustainable practices for improving resilience in wheat cultivation), ZnFORCROP (zinc fortification for crop resilience), SMARTGRANO (nutritional quality improvement of wheat flour through mineral biofortification), and several initiatives focused on phytoremediation of contaminated soils and landfill leachate. Earlier projects examined molecular strategies for gluten-sensitive food production and resurrection plants for phyto-cosmetic applications.
Professor Furini holds multiple administrative positions including membership on the Faculty Board of PhD in Biotechnology, the Biotechnology Teaching Committee, and the Biotechnology Departmental Council. Her teaching responsibilities span multiple degree programs including the Master's degree in Biotechnology for Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology, and Master's degree in Agri-Food Biotechnology.
She teaches key courses such as Environmental Microbiology and Bioremediation, Methods in Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Molecular Genetics and Genomic Tools for Plant Breeding. Her laboratory work focuses on plant molecular genetics, with particular emphasis on plant responses to environmental stressors and metal accumulation.
