Research Areas

Research areas	Laboratory/Activities	Faculty	Short description
Genetics and Genomics	Genome evolution and molecular cytogenetics	Mario Ventura	We work on human and primate sequencing searching for segmental duplications and their involvement in the evolution.
	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.
	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).
	Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology (M4B)	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.
		Nicoletta Guaragnella
	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.
		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	We use electrophysiological and biophysical techniques to explore the physiology of excitable cells, primarily focusing on cardiomyocytes and neural cells. Our aim is to understand how a cell's biophysical profile can influence its behavior and fate.
	Intercellular Crosstalk and Molecular Physiology of the Central Nervous System	Francesco Pisani	The research activity focuses on characterizing the structure and function of Tunneling Nanotubes (TNTs) under physiological and pathological conditions. The studies primarily aim to analyze TNTs between cell types of the central nervous system, between human neural stem cells, and between cancer cells. The analyses are conducted using 2D and 3D cellular models that reconstruct specific physiological and tumor microenvironments, analyzed through microscopic and molecular techniques.
	Unveiling Bioactive Compounds from Animal and Plant Origins with In Vitro Biological Activities	Lorenzo Guerra
	Signal transduction in renal and cardiovascular system	Marianna Ranieri	My research is focused on the study of the signal transduction of the GPCRs: specifically Vasopressin type 2 Receptor (V2R) and extracellular Calcium Sensing Receptor (CaSR) and its pathophysiological role in hypertension and kidney disorders.
	Function, regulation and drug targeting of aquaporins in energy metabolism, male reproduction and immune system in health and disease.	Giuseppe Calamita	The experimental work is aimed at assessing the expression, cellular and subcellular localization transcriptional and post-translational regulation, transport properties and function of the Aquaporin membrane channels in the liver and adipose tissue, in male germinal cell and spermatozoa and in leukocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells both in health and disease (disorders of energy balance, male infertility and inflammatory diseases). The scientific research has both basic and translational purposes. Techniques of cellular and molecular physiology, biophysics of membrane transport, applied biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology are used on cellular and animal models (transgenic mice). Preclinical research is conducted to evaluate the relevance as drug targets of AQP9 and AQP3 with the use of small heterocyclic compounds that selectively inhibit one or the other AQP.
	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	The research activity is focused in characterizing how the different components of the tissue microenvironment, both biological (stromal cells, stem cells and the extracellular matrix components) and metabolic (hypoxia and acidosis) regulate the intra- and extracellular pH and the development of different cellular behaviours such as growth, apoptosis, migration, invasion, extracellular matrix degradation and angiogenesis in three dimensional (3D) human organotypic cultures of normal and tumor cells of both the pancreas and mammary gland
	Cellular and molecular physiological responses in neuronal cell models under heavy metal exposure stress	Rosanna Mallamaci	The research focuses on comprehensively investigating the mechanisms underlying heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity, including assessments of neuronal viability, proliferation, and differentiation; the role of oxidative stress and inflammation; the identification of molecular biomarkers; and the exploration of potential therapeutic strategies
	Molecular and Cellular Physiology of Kidney Function and Disease	Giovanna Valenti	The Valenti laboratory is working to understand the cellular mechanisms and physiological signals responsible for regulating the expression and function of physiologically important transporting proteins in plasma membranes of kidney epithelial cells. The research group is especially interested in the vasopressin Aquaporin-2 axis in normal function and in rare renal genetic disorder to understand the mechanisms responsible for these conditions and to identify targets for new therapies. In this context the laboratory also seeks to determine how renal function is altered in microgravity.
	Electrophysiology of epithelial cells	Rosa Caroppo	The objective of our research group is to gain insight into the influence of ion channels and transporters on the functional properties of epithelial cells. This is achieved by electrophysiological approaches, whereby the membrane potential is directly measured using conventional microelectrodes. Furthermore, selective double-barreled microelectrodes are employed to measure specific ion activity (e.g., H+, Ca2+, K+) both inside and outside the cell. Finally, the Ussing chamber allows for the monitoring of ion transport across entire epithelial tissues, thereby providing insights into transporter function, channel activity, and barrier properties.
	Renal Physiology and functional characterization of bioactive compounds	Grazia Tamma
Reproductive Biotechnology	REPRODUCTIVE BIOTECHNOLOGY: MEIOTIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE	Nicola Martino	Main Research Areas: - Physiology and pathology of gamete and embryo development in farm animals (horse, cow, sheep) - Reproductive biotechnologies in farm animals for the purposes of animal production industry and as models for human reproductive medicine - Reproductive toxicology in farm animal models as alternatives to laboratory animals
Reproductive Biotechnology		Maria Elena Dell'Aquila
Plant biology	Intra- and inter-specific plant-plant communication. Root behavior and growth dynamics in natural and artificial conditions	Mattia Terzaghi	The research conducted aims to understand the chemical and molecular mechanisms behind plant adaptive plasticity. A key area of study is plant-to-plant communication, particularly how plants perceive and communicate with their neighbors through their roots. Another key area of study is how plants respond to environmental changes, such as drought or soil amendments, through morphological and anatomical analyses.
	Biodiversity and ecophysiology of macroalgae	Antonella Bottalico	The research activity focuses on biodiversity and ecophysiology of marine macroalgae in coastal and transitional environments. Topics range from growth, differentiation and morphogenesis to phylogenetics and taxonomy.
	Historical Herbaria. Floristic analysis in the Apulian territory	Viviana Cavallaro	The study of historical herbaria can lead to a detailed picture of the floristic biodiversity of the period. Consequently, it can take us to an accurate diachronic analysis of floristic biodiversity. Moreover, the study of historical herbaria helps us to obtain accurate floristic, taxonomic and nomenclatural studies. Floristic studies for the Apulian territory play a crucial role in responding to biogeographical and ecological questions, concerning the analysed region.
	Vegetation analysis, habitat monitoring, and assessment of the plant landscape in Mediterranean environments through integrative approaches	Valeria Maria Federica Tomaselli	Main research areas are: analysis, characterization, mapping and monitoring of plant communities in Mediterranean environments; surveying, mapping and monitoring Annex I (Dir. 92/43 / EEC) habitat types and evaluation of their conservation status. Analysis of plant landscape through comparative evaluations by different land classification systems (vegetation, habitat, land cover/land use) and related attributes, also in support of remote sensing data analysis; plant phenology at species and community level.
	In situ and ex situ conservation of rare and threatened plant taxa	Luigi Forte	The research focuses on the study of the biology and ecology of plant taxa of conservation concern with particular regard to the fundamental aspects for in situ translocations and for the implementation of protocols for the ex situ conservation in germplasm bank of seeds of taxa of spermatophytic flora.
	Flora and vegetation surveys and monitoring in the Apulian territory	Luigi Forte	The research aims to fill the gaps of knowledge on the flora and vegetation still present in the regional territory and to monitoring the floristic and vegetational changes that have occurred in a recent past, or currently ongoing, determined by land use transformation processes. This research is also carried out in order to better define the state of biodiversity of species and communities present at regional level.
	Fungal sporocarps collection and identification. Phylogenetic analyzes. Isolation of endophytic fungi	Francesco Dovana	My research focuses on the taxonomy and phylogeny of different taxonomic groups of fungi, particularly the genus Laccaria. In my studies, I use traditional morpho-taxonomy and DNA-based phylogenetic analyses to propose modern classifications at different taxonomic levels or to describe new taxa. I am also interested in studying molecular phylogeny of plants and algae.
	Plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses	Franca Tommasi	The research aims to evaluate and characterize the potential toxicity of Rare Earth Elements in plant models and also the presence of Rare Earth Elements in apulian sites of environmental interest. Another key area of study is the interaction between plants and fungi of agronomical and environmental interest also in presence of Rare Earth Elements.
	Redox-dependent molecular mechanisms in plant stress response	Maria Concetta de Pinto	The main objective is to study, by functional and proteomic approaches, the relationships between different partners involved in the control of cellular redox homeostasis, to understand how different proteins and metabolites are regulated in response to endogenous stimuli. The final objective is the development of strategies aimed at improving resistance of plants to adverse environmental conditions.
	Biotic and abiotic stresses in plants	Costantino Paciolla	The research group is aimed on the study of the plant responses to the environment in natural and stress conditions. Innovative agronomic, molecular, biochemical, or technological approaches are utilized to improve the plant fitness. Research topics are mainly focused on: i) Antioxidant machinery in plant defense responses; ii) Redox and regulation systems in plant development; iii) LED lights on plant development and on shelf life in crops during pre- and post-harvest
	Role of priming agents in plant stress response. Plant microbiome interaction in resposne to biotic and abiotic stress	Federico Vita	Current research activities focus on studying the effect of various abiotic stress factors (such as salinity and drought) on the model and non-model plant species (Arabidopsis thaliana, wheat, olive tree), the study of priming in enhancing plant defence-acting, the study of the effect of elevated carbon dioxide in Arabidopsis and woody plant species as well as the study of the dynamics behind the plant-holobiont interaction under biotic and abiotic stress conditions.
		Nunzio di Pierro
Zoology	Structural and functional biodiversity of coastal and transitional marine environments	Giuseppe Corriero Carlotta Nonnis Marzano Tamara Lazic Caterina Longo Cataldo Pierri Maria Mercurio	The research group aims to study faunal biodiversity in marine, lagoon and terrestrial environments. It deals with the census, monitoring and conservation of species of conservation interest (in the marine environment: sponges, corals, seahorses, pipefish, etc.; in the terrestrial environment: hares, wolves, birds) and habitats. An important part of the activities is based on the study of bioconstructions from the intertidal to the mesophotic zone through an approach to biodiversity from a structural and functional point of view. The group also investigates the presence, distribution and interactions of alien species.
	Census and monitoring of alien species
	Conservation and management of Syngnathidae species
	Zooremediation in marine environments
	Taxonomy and biogeography of poriferans
	Phylum Porifera (distribution, ecology and reproductive biology, bioremediation activities and production of organic compounds);
	Marne bioconstructions monitorign and conservation: vermetid trottoirs, sabellaria reefs, coralligenous habitat and red coral population, mesophotic coral reefs, mesophotic oyster reefs
	census and monitoring of syngnathid populations in the Mediterranean
	Study of benthic communities in sites of possible installation of offshore wind turbine plants	Francesco Mastrototaro
	Integrated taxonomy of ascidiofauna and alien species in the Mediterranean	Francesco Mastrototaro
Ecology	vital strategies of deep marine species, with particular interest in reproduction and the trophic spectrum;	Gianfranco D'Onghia	The main research topics concern the vital strategies of species in the deep marine environment (reproduction, growth and trophic spectrum); the population dynamics of deep species; biodiversity in coastal (photic and mesophotic) and deep-sea (cold-water coral) marine ecosystems; the conservation of habitats and species (VME) and impacts on marine ecosystems; the evaluation and management of marine biological resources; environmental sustainability.
	population dynamics of deep species;	Porzia Maiorano
	cold-water corals and their associated magafauna;	Letizia Sion
	biodiversity and conservation of deep ecosystems;	Francesca Capezzuto
	evaluation and management of marine biological resources.	Giovanni Chimienti
		Roberto Carlucci
Comparative anatomy, cell biology and developmental biology	Comparative histology of the vertebrate digestive system: functional evolution and diversity	Giovanni Scillitani Maria Matrodonato
	Glycohistochemistry of gastrointestinal mucins
	Ultrastructural morphological study and chemical composition of amphibian ovular shells
	Evaluation of the effects of pollutants on embryonic development by optical and electronic microscopy (TEM, SEM).
	Evolutionary biology of amphibians, reptiles and bats, with applications in the morphofunctional, ecotoxicological and conservation fields;
	Mollusc ecotoxicology	Giovanni Scillitani
	Distribution and conservation of fauna
	Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry of aquaporins in the hepatogastric system in normal and pathological conditions;
	Liver regeneration: ultrastructural, histochemical and zonal aspects;	Maria Matrodonato
	Hepatic steatosis: qualitative and quantitative analysis in pathological and experimental conditions.	Maria Matrodonato
Scientific museology	Museology, teaching and dissemination	Giovanni Scillitani Giuseppe Corriero
Chemistry for the Environment	Monitoring of air quality in complex urban and industrial areas using conventional and innovative methodological approaches, chemical characterization of the air in terms of gaseous and particulate pollutants also at high temporal and spatial resolution, identification of emission sources (source apportionment), pollution olfactory;	Gianluigi de Gennaro Jolanda Palmisani Alessia di Gilio	The research team belonging to the Environmental Sustainability Laboratory (Scientific Manager Prof. Gianluigi de Gennaro – SSD: CHEM-01/B) of the Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment carries out research activities relating to the following thematic areas: outdoor pollution; b) Indoor pollution; c) development of innovative methodological approaches for monitoring pollutants, d) analysis of human breath
	Determination of concentrations of volatile organic compounds and particulate matter in indoor environments, study of emission sources, evaluation of emissions of volatile organic compounds and particles from construction, furnishing and finishing materials and from consumer products, evaluation of exposure scenarios;
	Development of innovative methodological approaches for monitoring outdoor/indoor pollutants at high spatial and temporal resolution, development of sensor networks;
	Breath analysis: broad-spectrum chemical characterization of human exhaled breath and/or single-target detection of gaseous metabolites for the development of predictive models for the early diagnosis of chronic and oncological pathologies, applications of breath analysis in exposome studies.
Environmental Health Engineering	Waste Water: characterization, monitoring and treatment of civil and industrial waste water. Innovative techniques for measuring greenhouse gases emitted by purification plants, natural treatment technologies and reuse of wastewater;	Ezio Ranieri	The research team belonging to the Environmental Health Engineering Laboratory (Scientific Manager Prof. Ezio Ranieri – SSD: CEAR-02/A) of the Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment carries out research activities in relation to the following thematic areas:
	Environmental Remediation: research, development and application of natural techniques for the remediation of contaminated sites. Phytoextraction and phytostabilization of organic and inorganic contaminants present in soils using macrophytes. Innovative techniques for measuring CO2 sequestered by macrophytes with sensors based on QEPAS technology.
	Environmental Health Risk Analysis as a tool for analysis, control and decision support for the measures to be adopted for the treatment of water, soil and atmospheric emissions, through a quantitative analysis of polluted matrices, operated using self-developed algorithms.
Human Anatomy	Neuroscience: Inflammatory processes and molecular mediators involved in cellular responses during neuroinflammation	Maria Antonietta Panaro	Our research topics are mainly focused on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration processes by evaluating inflammatory mediators involved in inflammatory based diseases. We study the neuroprotective effect of bioactive molecules with anti-inflammatory functions on the modulation of the neuro-inflammatory activity by redriving microglial and astrocytic cells responses both in in vivo and in in vitro models. We also study the potential therapeutic applications of bioactive molecules in chronic inflammatory diseases aimed at developing multitarget approaches, useful for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases or to increase the effectiveness of traditional treatments.
		Rosa Calvello
		Antonia Cianciulli
Bioingegneria	Main Research Area: Nanomaterials, scaffolds, tissue engineering, space biology.	Giada Genchi	At the Regenerative Devices Laboratory, Dr. Genchi conducts research on smart materials, micro- and nanofabrication, tissue engineering based on biomimetic scaffolds and recombinant DNA, and space biology. Her research is currently focused on the fabrication of innovative physiopathological models of retina and cartilage /in vitro/, and on the development of translational solutions to problems inherent to spaceflight and aging on Earth.