Romano Silvestri

Romano Silvestri is a Full Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at Sapienza University of Rome. With a career spanning over three decades, he has established himself as a leading researcher in medicinal chemistry, specializing in the design and synthesis of novel compounds for antitumor, antiviral, and central nervous system applications. His laboratory, the Drug Design and Synthesis Center (DDSC), serves as a hub for innovative drug discovery research.

Professor Silvestri's educational journey began with a cum laude degree in Pharmacy in 1983, followed by a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1989. His academic progression from University Researcher (1991-1998) to Associate Professor (1998-2010) and finally to Full Professor (2010-present) reflects his significant contributions to the field.

His research focuses on several key areas including tubulin polymerization inhibitors for cancer therapy, HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and novel agents targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. His work combines computational approaches with synthetic chemistry to develop new therapeutic agents, with particular emphasis on overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment and developing broad-spectrum antivirals.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward dual-target inhibitors and agents that address drug resistance mechanisms, particularly in oncology. His work spans from basic molecular design to preclinical evaluation, with several compounds showing promising activity in both in vitro and in vivo models.

• Advisory editorial board, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (since 2009)
• Advisory editorial board, ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters (since 2015)
• Advisory editorial board, Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy (since 2007)
• Member of the Italian Chemical Society
• Member of the American Chemical Society
• Member of the International Society for Antiviral Research

Professor Silvestri has successfully mentored numerous students and researchers who have become integral members of his research team, including Giuseppe La Regina, Antonio Coluccia, and Michela Puxeddu. His extensive research funding portfolio includes multiple PRIN projects, Ministry of Health grants, and collaborations with institutions like the Pasteur Institute and the European Institute of Oncology. His laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for microwave-assisted synthesis and computational modeling, continues to be at the forefront of medicinal chemistry research.

The Drug Design and Synthesis Center (DDSC) operates as a comprehensive research facility with specialized units for synthetic chemistry and computational modeling. The laboratory maintains active collaborations with both national and international research groups, focusing on translating basic discoveries into potential therapeutic applications.