معرفی
Marco Scocchi is an Associate Professor in Biochemistry at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste. He serves in multiple leadership roles including as Quality Assurance Delegate in the Head's Office, and as a member of the Department's Board, Boards of Studies, and Doctoral Studies Boards. His research focuses on host defense peptides and their biomedical applications.
Dr. Scocchi's research interests center around the biological role and biotechnological potential of natural bioactive peptides with antimicrobial properties. His work specifically investigates host defense peptides (HDPs), also known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are part of the innate immune system of eukaryotes. His research team studies the molecular mechanisms of AMP activity and develops new AMP-derived drugs to combat bacterial infections, particularly those involving multidrug-resistant pathogens and biofilms.
His research program is organized into several key projects: characterization and optimization of proline-enriched antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs), development of antimicrobial peptides for treating lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, investigation of AMPs against emerging pathogens like A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae, and evaluation of lipopeptides as novel antimicrobial agents. His work has significant implications for developing new therapeutic approaches against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Dr. Scocchi has coordinated the Degree Course in Biological Sciences and Technologies since 2016 and teaches multiple biochemistry courses including Clinical Biochemistry, Biological Chemistry, Marine Biochemistry, and Cellular Biochemistry. His research has been supported by various grants including university funding, MIUR projects, and cystic fibrosis research foundations.
- Research Funding: FRA2016 (2016-2018), Made in Trieste Area Science Park (2018-2019), E-health patient MIUR project (2016-2019), FFC#14/2014-15 Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation, FRA2014 (2014-2016)
- Current Projects: Prot. 2022XFFTH5 (Targeting lung bacterial infections), ITAT-11-015 - SPARE (hemp valorization), FSE+ Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Programme (2024-2027)
Dr. Scocchi is the co-author of 80 publications with an H-index of 35 (Google Scholar) and 31 (Scopus). His research group includes Mario Mardirossian, Renato Gennaro (Emeritus Professor), and PhD students Adriana Di Stasi and Luigi De Pascale.