Sara Pignattelli

Sara Pignattelli holds the position of Researcher at the Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR-CNR), part of the National Research Council of Italy. She is based in Florence, Italy, and has also served as Assistant Professor at the University of Nova Gorica (2020–2022), focusing on ecotoxicology and environmental monitoring. Her research spans plant stress responses, phytoremediation, microplastic pollution effects, and molecular biology techniques.

Education includes a PhD in Vegetable Biosystematics and Eco-Physiology (2013) from the University of Florence, a Master’s in Plant Biotechnology (2009) from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Biotechnology (2006). She has extensive experience in micropropagation, cryopreservation, and molecular analysis of plant stress responses.

Research interests emphasize environmental toxicology, particularly the impact of microplastics, heavy metals, and climate change on plant physiology. Her work integrates biotechnology methods such as PCR, spectrophotometry, and genomic analysis to study stress tolerance mechanisms. Recent studies highlight the effects of microplastics on plant growth, fungal interactions, and nutrient dynamics.

Publications focus on microplastic toxicity, phytoremediation strategies, and plant stress physiology. Notable contributions include investigations into PET microplastics’ effects on Arabidopsis and Lepidium sativum, as well as biomarker identification in marine mussels exposed to microplastics. She collaborates with institutions across Europe, contributing to projects like the Mussel Watch Program and agri-food traceability initiatives.

Technical expertise includes cryopreservation protocols, UV-Vis spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and bioinformatics tools (e.g., Primer3, Mega). She has led projects on plant stress biomarkers and environmental monitoring, with a strong emphasis on translating research into practical applications for sustainable agriculture and pollution mitigation.