Education and training
July 19th 1996: Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy. Final grade: 110/110 cum laude;
1996-2000: PhD student at Dept. of Biology, Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, University of Bologna;
2001: PhD in Biology and Physiology of the Cell, Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Italy;
2001-2003: Post-doc position at the Dept. of Biology, University of Bologna;
Mar 2003 - Dec 2003: Post-doc position at the Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology MUSC (Charleston, USA);
Jan 2004 - Oct 2008: Post-doc position at the Dept. of Biology, University of Bologna, Italy;
Academic activity
From Nov 2008: Permanent Position as Assistant Professor in Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bologna.
From May 2012: Member of the Italian Interuniversity Consortium on Materials Science and Technology, University of Bologna.
Oct 2012- Sept 2015: Permanent Position as Assistant Professor in Biochemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Sport Sciences, University of Bologna.
From October 2015: Associate Professor in Biochemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Sport Sciences, University of Bologna.
From October 2016: Founding Partner of the Spin-Off “BROWSer – Bioinformatics Resource for Omics-Wide Services”, University of Bari.
Awards
“Assunta Baccarini-Melandri” award for a training period (3 months) to be spent abroad on“Role of mitochondria in the regulation of ceramide levels in apoptotic death triggered by metabolic stress in LHON cybrids” at Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MUSC (Charleston, USA);
“Marco Polo” award for a training period (3 months) to be spent abroad assigned by the University of Bologna on “Role of mitochondrial ceramidase in the proliferation and cell death” at Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MUSC (Charleston, USA);
“L'Oreal Italia per le Donne e la Scienza” by L'Oreal Italia and the Italian National Committee for UNESCO for a project on “mtDNA mutations in the tumorigenicity of thyroid oncocytoma”.
Teaching activities
2018-2019: Course of Biochemistry of Cellular Complex Systems with practical laboratory and network of protein-protein interactions, Master Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2018-2019: Course of Cellular and Structural Biochemistry, Master Degree in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2018-2019: Pratical laboratory in Biochemistry, Master Degree in Biological Science, University of Bologna.
2017-2018: Pratical laboratory in Biochemistry, Master Degree in Biological Science, University of Bologna.
2017-2018: Course of Biochemistry of Cellular Complex Systems with practical laboratory and network of protein-protein interactions, Master Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2017-2018: Course of Cellular and Structural Biochemistry, Master Degree in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2016-2017: Course of Cellular and Structural Biochemistry, Master Degree in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2016-2017: Course of Biochemistry of Cellular Complex Systems with practical laboratory and network of protein-protein interactions, Master Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2015-2016: Course of Cellular and Structural Biochemistry, Master Degree in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2015-2016: Course of Biochemistry of Cellular Complex Systems with practical laboratory and network of protein-protein interactions, Master Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2014-2015: Course of Cellular and Structural Biochemistry, Master Degree in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2013-2014: Course of Cellular and Structural Biochemistry, Master Degree in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, University of Bologna;
2012-2013: Course of Cellular and Structural Biochemistry, Master Degree in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2011-2012: Course of Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry, Master Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Bologna.
2010-2011: Course of Biochemical Methodologies, Master Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Bologna.
2009-2010: Course of Biochemical Methodologies, Master Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Bologna.
2008-2009: Course of Biochemical Methodologies, Master Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Bologna.
From 2001 at 2007: Basic techniques for mammalian cell propagation and methods for cellular biochemistry, Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Master Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Bologna.
Research activity
The research activity was initially focused on the mechanisms of ionic transport and the regulation of intracellular pH in various cellular models with increased expression of proteins, such as CFTR, glycoprotein-P and Nef, involved in various pathologies. Then, the interest has shifted in the field of cellular biochemistry, characterizing the molecular mechanisms activated by some sphingolipid derivatives in the modulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. In particular, we have investigated the role of mitochondria in the process of apoptosis in cells bearing mutations in the mitochondrial genome or nuclear degenerative diseases that cause hereditary mitochondrial pathogenesis (Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy and dominant optic atrophy). Over the past 10 years, research has focused mainly on functional analysis and characterization of the biochemical phenotype of some mutations in the mitochondrial genome during tumor progression. In particular, we are analyzing the molecular and biochemical mechanisms that regulate the metabolic and hypoxic adaptation of cancer cells bearing mitochondrial mutations that alter the function/assembly of respiratory complex I and the function of oxidative phosphorylation.
Research support
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks (H2020-MSCA-ITN) 2017-2020 “TRANSMIT-TRANSlating the role of MItochondrial metabolism in Tumorigenesis”. Role on project: Coordinator.
Investigator Grant-AIRC 2015 “TOUChMe - Taxane Resistance in Ovarian Cancer: Understanding the Contribution of Mitochondrial Metabolism Defects” (2016-2019). Role on project: Principal Investigator.
Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (ITN) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN “MEET- Mitochondrial European Educational Training 2013-2017; Role on project: PI and Workpackage Leader of University of Bologna.
Progetto di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) 2008-2010 “Role of mitochondria in the regulation of apoptosis and autophagy: molecular mechanisms and effects of pathogenic mutations”. Role on project: PI of Unit (National Coordinator Prof. P. Pinton).
Participation to/management of research projects
Worldwide Cancer Research-AICR grant 2014 “DHoMOs - Understanding the determinants of the homoplasmic shift of mitochondrial DNA mutations in families with recurrent oncocytomas” Ruolo nel progetto: Co-Applicant; PI Dr. G. Gasparre
Investigator Grant-AIRC 2013 “JANEUTICS - From the oncojanus function of mitochondrial genes to anti-cancer therapeutic strategies”; PI Dr G. Gasparre
Fondazione Veronesi 2011-2013 “Disrupting mitochondrial complex I to trigger pseudonormoxia: an anticancer strategy” Role on project: Investigator (PI Dr G. Gasparre)
Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative 2011-2013 “CD99 engagement and apoptosis in Ewing's sarcoma: role of mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA mutations”. Role on project: Investigator (PI Prof. M. Rugolo)
Progetto Futuro in Ricerca (FIRB): 2010-2013 “Significato funzionale delle mutazioni del DNA mitocondriale nei tumori”. Role on project: Investigator (PI Dr. G. Gasparre)
Progetto Nazionale AIRC 2009-2011 “TRANSMIT - Translational significance of mitochondrial mutations in tumors.” Role on project: Investigator (PI Prof. G. Romeo)
Telethon project GGP06233B 2007-2011 “Pathogenic mechanisms for degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in mitochondrial optic neuropathies." Role on project: Investigator (PI Dr. V. Carelli)
Progetto di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) 2006-2008 “Variability and function of mitochondrial mutations in physiological and pathological conditions.” Role on project: Investigator (PI Prof. G. Romeo)
Progetto Regionale AIRC 2005-2007 “Functional genomics of thyroid oncocytoma.” Role on project: Investigator (PI Prof. G. Tallini).
Committes
- Member of Academic Board of "Biologia Cellulare e Molecolare" PhD program (2017-2018)
- Member of the committee for the admission to PhD ‘Biologia Cellulare e Molecolare' (2010-2011 and 2011-2012;
- Member of the committee for the admission to the degree program ‘Biologia Molecolare e Cellulare. (2010-2011 and 2011-2012).
Tutorship
Supervisor of 12 master degree theses, co-supevisor of 1 master degree thesis and co-supervisor of 12 master degree theses. Co-supervisor of 1 PhD thesis in the Cellular and Molecular Biology PhD program, University of Bologna. Supervisor of 2 Post-doc fellows (2012-2013); Supervisor of 1 PhD thesis in the Cellular and Molecular Biology PhD program (2014-2017), University of Bologna; From 2012 to 2015, External Reviewer for the PhD program in Biomedical Science and Biotechnology at the University of Udine. From February 2015 to April 2015, External Reviewer for Austrian Science Fund (FWF).
Conference organization
4nd Annual Meeting of the International Society of Cancer Metabolism, Bertinoro (Forlì), Italia (October 2017)
4th International Meeting of the Sphingolipid Club, Bertinoro, Italy (June 2005)
Annual meeting of Biomembranes and Bionergetics Italian Group (GIBB), Bertinoro, Italy (June 2006)
Annual meeting of Biomembranes and Bionergetics Italian Group (GIBB), Bertinoro, Italy (June 2010)
Course director of 2nd Course in Mitochondrial Medicine, Bertinoro-Forlì, Italia (December 2014).
Editorial Board Member
ISRN-Cell Biology
Frontiers in Molecular and Cellular Oncology
