Research Areas
| Research areas | Laboratory | Faculty | Short description |
| Genetics and Genomics | Genome evolution and molecular cytogenetics | Mario Ventura | |
| Evolutionary genomics, centromeric sequences in plants and primate genomes, neocentromeres | Claudia Rita Catacchio | We delve into the intricacies of primate genome evolution, seeking insights into the distinctive features of both our own species and our closest relatives. We also aim to unravel the shared genetic mechanisms between evolution and disease. Understanding how the centromeric function is maintained during the evolution of plants and mammalian genomes from a DNA perspective is also a main focus of the Catacchio laboratory. Employing a synergistic approach that combines computational and experimental methods, we rigorously explore the remarkable ability of this rapidly evolving sequence to ensure precise DNA segregation during cell divisions. |
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| Human Genetics: Structural variation, genomic disorders, idiopatic infertility and recurrent miscarriages | Francesca Antonacci | The Human Genetics Lab is at the forefront of groundbreaking research in the field of genomics, specializing in the identification and analysis of inversions and their complex structures in human and primate genomes. Through their pioneering work, the lab has significantly advanced the comprehension of how complex genomic rearrangements occur across diverse human populations, shedding light on their impact on human evolution and disease. Expanding the scope of their research, the lab now employs single cell strand-sequencing technologies to investigate structural rearrangements and their association with idiopathic infertility and recurrent miscarriages. This innovative approach aims to uncover the genetic bases of these conditions, potentially leading to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. | |
| Animal genetics: Study of evolutionary phenomena, genetic diversity, and molecular bases of productive and adaptive phenotypes in domestic animal populations | Elena Ciani | ||
| Microbiology | Environmental Microbiology | Francesco Pini | The microbiology lab is mostly devoted to the study of microbial symbiosis/interactions with plants, in particular to the rhizobia-leguminous plant model. All the different steps of this symbiotic process are considered from the competition for nodulation between different rhizobia strains to the process of bacteroid differentiation within nodule. In connection to the last point, another aspect of the research is related to the study of cell cycle regulation in Alphaproteobacteria and to evolutionary studies of their genomes. Another topic of the lab is related to microbial communities’ analysis in particular soil communities, but other environments are also subject of research. |
| Clinical Microbiology: Molecular typing and clonal relatedness of clinically relevant bacteria. Identification and characterisation of Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs) and their role in the horizontal gene transfer of ARGs and virulence associated determinants. | Carlo Pazzani | The research group is aimed to characterise gram-negative bacteria relevant for public health and/or responsible for hospital acquired infections. Research topics of major interest are: i) role played by Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs) in the intra- and inter-species Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT); ii) identification and characterisation of hybrid MGEs, a research line of emerging scientific interest; iii) intracellular gene shuffling (e.g antimicrobial resistance and/or virulence determinants) mediated by MGEs; iv) bacteria strain typing and clonal relatedness. | |
| Environmental Microbiology: Anthropic activities and One Health Concept: antimicrobial resistance and horizontal gene transfer in bacteria of environmental origin; characterisation of mobile genetic elements; exploitation of bacterial properties (e.g. antibacterial activity, intracellular polymers, extracellular enzymes, etc.) exhibited by environmental strains. | Maria Scrascia | The research group is keen on studies related to multi-drug resistant bacteria isolated from environment (e.g soil, animals, marine invertebrates, soil fertilisers). Research topics are mainly focused on: i) mobile genetic elements and intra- and inter-species gene transfer; ii) bacteria metabolites (e.g. antimicrobials, intracellular polymers, extracellular enzymes, etc.) exploitable from a pharmacological, industrial and/or environmental point of view. | |
| Biochemistry | Targeting metabolism in the tumor microenvironment | Alessandra Castegna | Our research aims to identify metabolic targets of immune cell function that could be manipulated to rewire tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) phenotypes toward an antitumoral function. We rely on the combination of in silico, in- vitro and in- and ex-vivo approaches to identify novel diagnostic and therapeutical strategies against cancer. |
| Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology (M4B) | Gennaro Agrimi | The Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology (M4B) is active in the field of biotechnological valorisation of waste, mainly through fermentation and chemo-enzymatic transformation processes. The research group has proven expertise in areas related to industrial and microbial biotechnology, such as metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, metabolomics, microbial fermentation, biotransformations, with approaches aimed at establishing biorefineries. In recent years, expertise in process design (e.g. techno-economic analysis, LCA) has been developed. Basic research focuses on the study of yeast metabolism, with emphasis on metabolic compartmentalisation, biochemical properties and physiological role of transporters, quantitative analysis of metabolism. The laboratory collaborates with public (ENEA-Trisaia, Bioenergy Division, Biorefinery and Green Chemistry Division) and private (Italbiotec Consortium, Cluster Spring) research institutes and companies, both in terms of collaborative research activities and industrial doctorates (Sanofi spa, Bioenutra srl, Rewow srl, Distilleria Bartin srl, Italbiotec srl, BICT srl). | |
| Isabella Pisano | |||
| The multifaceted role of mitochondria in cell stress response | Nicoletta Guaragnella | Our research interests focus on the elucidation of the multifaceted role of mitochondria in cell stress response. In particular, by using genetic, cellular and molecular biology and biochemical techniques, we search for the mechanisms of stress signalling involving mitochondria by using eukariotic yeast cells as models.These studies will help to identify mitochondria-mediated signaling networks as potential targets for clinical and biotechnological benefit. |
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| Identification and functional characterization of mitochondrial proteins in health and disease | Luigi Palmieri | The research group is focused on the identification of the function of mitochondrial proteins, particularly those belonging to the mitochondrial carrier family (SLC25), and the characterization of their physological role across various eukaryotic species. Our research team is also engaged in the development of animal and cell models of human diseases linked to altered activity of SLC25 members for the study of the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. |
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| Giuseppe Fiermonte | |||
| F. Massimo Lasorsa | |||
| Carlo M.T. Marobbio | |||
| Vito Porcelli | |||
| Pasquale Scarcia | |||
| Angelo Vozza | |||
| Francesco De leonardis | |||
| Maria Antonietta Di Noia | |||
| Homeostasis of riboflavin derived cofactors in health and desease | Maria Barile | ||
| Phisiology | Epithelial polarity and transport in kidney, gut and peritoneum. | Giuseppe Procino | |
| Electrophysiology of excitable tissues and cells | Andrea Gerbino | ||
| Intercellular Crosstalk and Molecular Physiology of the Central Nervous System | Francesco Pisani | ||
| Unveiling Bioactive Compounds from Animal and Plant Origins with In Vitro Biological Activities | Lorenzo Guerra | ||
| Signal transduction in renal and cardiovascular system | Marianna Ranieri | ||
| Function, regulation and drug targeting of aquaporins in energy metabolism, male reproduction and immune system in health and disease. | Giuseppe Calamita | ||
| Spatial and temporal aspects of calcium and cAMP signalling in cellular physiology and pathology: imaging signal transduction in neurodegenerative and cardiac diseases | Matilde Colella | ||
| Ion channels/transporters-related mechanisms and signaling in normal and tumor cells in 3D bioengineered cellular models of their metabolic/stromal microenvironment | Rosangela Cardone | ||
| Cellular and molecular physiological responses in neuronal cell models under heavy metal exposure stress | Rosanna Mallamaci | ||
| Molecular and Cellular Physiology of Kidney Function and Disease | Giovanna Valenti | ||
| Electrophysiology of epithelial cells | Rosa Caroppo | ||
| Renal Physiology and functional characterization of bioactive compounds | Grazia Tamma | ||
| Reproductive Biotechnology | Reproductive Biotechnology | Nicola Martino | |
| REPRODUCTIVE BIOTECHNOLOGY: MEIOTIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE | Maria Elena Dell'Aquila | ||
| Botany | Root behavior and growth dynamics in natural ecosystems and under different environmental conditions | Mattia Terzaghi | |
| Historical Herbaria. Floristic analysis in the Apulian territory | Viviana Cavallaro | ||
| Vegetation analysis, habitat monitoring, and assessment of the plant landscape in Mediterranean environments through integrative approaches | Valeria Tomaselli | ||
| Zoology | Structural and functional biodiversity of coastal and transitional marine environments | Cataldo Pierri |