Descrizione

She did trainings at the Genetic Laboratory of University of Pisa and at the Biochemistry Laboratory of University of Genoa. She has worked under the supervision of Prof. M. De Luca from 1992 to 2002 at the National Cancer Institute (Genoa) and at IDI-IRCCS (Rome) on epithelial stem cells and ex-vivo gene therapy for patients suffering from genodermatoses. Then, she led projects focused on keratinocyte stem cell maintenance, skin aging and cancer. She developed protocols for 3D organotypic skin models for research and clinical purposes (e.g for chronic ulcers). To this end, she acquired specific competence in GMP field aimed at the production of autologous cell therapy products. Now, she is leading projects on the role of the skin microenvironment in aging and non-melanoma skin cancer pathogenesis and coordinating a clinical study aimed at investigating specific profiles predictive of nicotinamide chemopreventive efficacy.

Aree di ricerca

She has extensive experience in skin cell culture. She worked in projects focused on human epithelial stem cell biology, biochemistry and gene therapy in basic and translational research.

Current interests:

  • studying mechanisms involved in stem cell maintenance and skin aging
  • identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for non-melanoma skin cancers
  • developing 3D skin models

Biografia

Education:
2005 - Qualified Person (GMP) Certification, AIFA
1994-1999 - Ph.D in "Human Biology: cellular and molecular basis”, University of Turin
1987-1991 - Degree in Biological Sciences, 110/110 cum laude, University of Pisa

Training and work experience:
She did trainings at the Genetic Laboratory of University of Pisa and at the Biochemistry Laboratory of University of Genoa. She has worked under the supervision of Prof. M. De Luca from 1992 to 2002 at the National Cancer Institute (Genoa) and at IDI-IRCCS (Rome) on epithelial stem cells and ex-vivo gene therapy for patients suffering from genodermatoses. Then, she led projects focused on keratinocyte stem cell maintenance, skin aging and cancer. She developed protocols for 3D organotypic skin models for research and clinical purposes (e.g for chronic ulcers). To this end, she acquired specific competence in GMP field aimed at the production of autologous cell therapy products. Now, she is leading projects on the role of the skin microenvironment in aging and non-melanoma skin cancer pathogenesis and coordinating a clinical study aimed at investigating specific profiles predictive of nicotinamide chemopreventive efficacy.

Progetti di ricerca

  • Principal Investigator of Progetto Banca d’Italia - 3D bioprinting di cute umana quale modello per la validazione di nuove terapie in campo oncologico (2020-2022)
  • Principal Investigator of LILT - Investigator Grant "BDNF/TrkB axis as a source for squamous cell carcinoma prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets" (2020-2021)
  • Principal Investigator of the RF Grant 2016 (RF-2016-02362541) "Investigation of metabolic and genomic profiles predictive of nicotinamide efficacy in squamous-cell carcinoma prevention" (2019-2023)
  • Principal Investigator of RF Grant 2008 (RF-IDI-2008-1224652) “In vitro reconstituted fully functional skin equivalents based on epidermal and mesenchymal stem cells for autotransplantation to patients with deep non-healing skin defects: from the bench to bedside” (2011-2013)
  • UO leader of the European Project FP6-512102 “Gene transfer in Skin Equivalents and Stem Cells: Novel Strategies for Chronic Ulcer Repair and Tissue Regeneration” (2005-2008)

Riconoscimenti

  • National Scientific Qualification as Professor Associate in “Biochemistry” (Bando 2016, 05/E1 –D.D. 1532/2016) - MIUR - issued Mar. 2017, expires Mar. 2026
  • National Scientific Qualification as Professor Associate in “Biologia Applicata” (Bando 2013, 05/F1 – DD n.161/2013) - MIUR- issued Nov. 2014, expires Nov. 2023
  • National Scientific Qualification as Professor Associate in “Molecular Biology” (Bando 2012, 05/E2 – DD n.222/2012) - MIUR - issued Feb. 2014, expires Feb. 2023

Pubblicazioni