Personal Information:
I was born in Brisighella (RA, Italy) on July 2nd 1972, I am
italian.
Current address: Via 2 agosto 9, 47822 S. Arcangelo di Romagna (RN,
Italy).
I am married and have two children.
Present Status:
Since April 1st 2005: Full Time University Researcher (Assistant
Professor), permanent since 2008, (Sector BIO- 13) in the
Department of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology (DIEBA) of
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna
From 16 October 2012 enrolled in the Department for Life Quality
Studies (Rimini Campus).
Studies:
1990-1991: High School, Liceo Scientifico “Alessandro Serpieri”
Rimini.
1999: Degree in Biological Sciences 100/110, Alma Mater
Studiorum –University of Bologna.
2003: Ph.D in Molecular Cytodifferentiation (3 years, tutor:
Prof. Paolo Carinci) Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
Title of the thesis: “Genomic and post-genomic analysis of human
chromosome 21 genes”.
Teaching Activity:
Since 2002: responsible of several courses of Biology and
Genetics in Medical School of University of Bologna. In
particular:
2002: Molecular Biology course for Technicians (Histology and
General Embryology Institute – UNIBO
2005-2008: Biology for Professional Education First Level Degree
(Imola Capus – UNIBO)
2005-2012: Biology for Orthopedic, Podiatrist and Orthoptist
Technician First Level Degree (UNIBO)
2007-2015: Biology for Midwife First Level Degree (Rimini
Campus, UNIBO)
2013-2015: Biology for Motor Science First Level Degree (Rimini
Campus, UNIBO)
Seminars and Congress:
2000: “Transcriptome, from functional genomic to biological
systems”; Paris, Pasteur Institute.
2001: “I and II Workshop of genome computational analysis”;
Bologna, Cineca.
2001: “Seminars of Informatics”; Bologna, Histology and General
Embryology Institute.
2006: “The RNA Symposia Series: messenger, micro and
interfering”; Milano, Pharmacology Department.
2008: “6th Annual Seminar for Researchers”; Bologna, S. Orsola
Hospital.
2009: “MACS Symposia: microRNA in physioly and disease”;
Bologna, I Portici Hotel. 2
2004-2014: Annual Italian Congress of Biology and Genetics; in
2004 I was speaker of the seminar entitled “Alternative
splicing as source of mRNA isoforms differing for one triplet CAG:
systematic analysis in human genome”.
Main Scientific Activity:
Expression and functional analysis of human genes associated to
complex diseases (ex: Parkinson disease,
cancer...). Functional analysis is made using the vertebrate
animal model zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Molecular Genomics analysis of human chromosome 21 genes.
From 2000 to present I was a member of research projects granted
by M.U.R.S.T. (Italian University Minister), Cassa di Risparmio in
Bologna Fondation, University of Bologna (Project “Young
Reserchers”), Jerome Lejeune Fondation, Dal Monte Fondation. From
2005 to present I was funded by local base research funding (RFO).
In 2005-2008 I was responsible for the project “Analysis of human
chromosome 21 overlapped genes and the multi-transcript system
CYYR1”, granted for 2 years by University of Bologna - Strategic
Projects Grant and for 1 year by Dal Monte Fondation.
Other researches:
- preparation and test of bioinformatic softwares useful for
systematic analysis of human and other genomes.
- expression pattern and mutational analysis of other human
genes, like Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP) and their receptors
in osteosarcoma cells and beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) gene in
dialysis patients
- functional analysis of the human RCAN3 gene (previosly named
DSCR1L2) a member of the gene family “Down Syndrome critical
region-like” with Prof. Silvia Canaider's group.
- theoretical biology.
Methods:
Molecular Biology methods: DNA and RNA extraction, Northern
blot, PCR, RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Agarose gel electrophoresis,
quantification with spectrophotometer or NanoDrop, sequencing and
sequence analysis, vector cloning, yeast 2 hybrid system, zebrafish
embryo in situ hybridization, zebrafish knock-out with MO
injection.
Cellular Biology methods: in vitro cell cultures - cell media
and preparation of solutions.
Bioinformatics:
Gene expression analysis, alignment of nucleotide and amino acid
sequences, alternative splicing research, primer-probe design,
phylogenetic analysis.
Spoken Languages:
Italian (mother tongue)
English (First Certificate - Cambridge)
French (school knowledge)
Informatics skills:
Good knowledge and frequent use of the principal programs for
Macintosh OS and Windows (Microsoft Office, iWork, FileMaker Pro,
Adobe Reader, Adobe Illustrate). Good knowledge and use of
principal molecular biology informatic softwares and database
(Blast, Amplify, Primer3, ClustalW, DNAid, EditView, TreeView, UCSC
Genome Browser, Ensembl).
