CURRENT POSITION:
Associate professor in Analytical Chemistry (University of Bologna)
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
DSc Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Bologna: Cum Laude (2001)
PhD Degree in Medical Biotechnology, University of Bologna (2005)
WORK EXPERIENCE AND UNIVERSITY ACTIVITY
-Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” University of Bologna (2017-now)
- Researcher in Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, University of Bologna (2006-2017)
- Post-Doc position at the University of Bologna, Dept. of pharmaceutical Sciences, (2005-06)
- Research scholar at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA (May 2004)
- Fellowship at the Chemistry Department, Connecticut College, New London, CT, USA (2004)
- Research period at the Department of Biotechnology of the University of Turku, Finland (2002)
- Research period at the Chemistry Department of the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA (Nov/Dec 2000)
TEACHING ACTIVITY
Her teaching activity involves analytical and clinical chemistry, forensic chemistry and proteomics in graduate and post-graduated courses for European Bachelor in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics.
MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
2012-Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the "International Society for Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence" (ISBC)
2015- Secretary of the ISBC
REVIEWER ACTIVITY
-Expert of European Commission for nanobiotechnology (Evaluator of FP7 and H2020 Proposals).
- Reviewer for French National Research Agency (ANR) ( Biomedical Innovation program) and São Paulo State Science Foundation.
- Member of the International expert panel for Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) project evaluation in Singapore.
- 2014-Reviewer for Tuscany Regional Health Research Programs
- Reviewer for Trends in Biotechnology, Sci Rep, Anal Chem, Biosens & Bioelectron, Clin Chem, Anal Bioanal Chem , Photochem Photobiol Sci , Luminescence, J Agric Food Chem , Food Chem Toxicol, Frontiers in Microbiology, Plasmid.
SCIENTIFIC AND RESEARCH ACTIVITY:
- Development of biosensors for water and environmental monitoring (detection of pesticides, endocrine disrupting chemicals, heavy metals, microbial contamination etc.), drug screening and analysis of clinical samples (monitoring of bioactivites such as (anti)-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, estrogenic and andorgenic activities..)
- Development of smartphone-based analytical platforms and low-cost paper sensors for on-site multiplexed analysis
- Development of in vivo and in vitro Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) and Protein Complementation assays (PCA) for monitoring protein-protein interactions
- Cloning, random and site-directed mutagenesis of new bioluminescent proteins and photoproteins with improved emission properties and thermo- and pH-stability
- Development of bioluminescence imaging small animal models for in vivo non-invasive monitoring of pathophysiological processes
- Development ultrasensitive analytical methods with bio- and chemiluminescence detection applied to biomedical and pharmaceutical screening (HTS and HCS), environmental and food analysis
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Author of 91 papers, on refereed journals with high impact factor in the fields of Analytical Chemistry, Environmental and Food Chemistry, Clinical Chemistry and more than 100 oral and poster presentations in national and international congresses (of which 8 invited lectures). H-index: 35; Sum of the Times Cited: 4179 (Source: Scopus). Owner of two international patents (PCT/US2007/003546, PCT/IB2010/050625) on a new luciferase gene and on a new device for on site analysis.
AWARDS
- First prize at the International Expo-forum on Industrial Innovation - Research to Business R2B, Bologna 2009.
- Marlene DeLuca Prize (17th ISBC Symposium, 28 May-2nd June 2012, Guelph-Canada) for the talk "Whole-cell bioluminescence biosensor for on-site anti-doping screening"
- Genelux Award for the most innovative and highest quality scientific presentation for the communication "Bioluminescence helps malaria research: exploiting new luciferases to improve analytical performance of antimalarial drug screening assays"(18th ISBC Symposium, Uppsala, Sweden, 23-28 June 2014)
2013- National idoneity for full professorship in Analytical Chemistry
EDITORIAL ACTIVITY
-2021-now Associate Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology (IF 4.26)
-Since 2018 Editor for Sensors (IF- 3.27)
- 2014 Guest Editor for Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (IF: 3.3), Topic title: "Analytical Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence"
- 2015: Guest Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology (IF 4.26), Topic Title: "Genetically modified organisms: tricks or threats"
- 2010-2020 Review Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology (IF 4.26)
FUNDED PROJECTS
· PRIMA (2020-2023): FrEsh fooD sustainable pacKaging In The circular economy (FEDKITO) (Role: partner)
· NATO-SPS (2016-2019): “Cell Biosensors for Detection of Chemical and Biological Threats” (Role: Coordinator)
· MIUR-PRIN (2016): "Multifunctional nanotools for advanced cancer diagnostics" (Role: Responsible of UNIBO unit)
FP7-Capacities BIORICE (2013-2015)"BIOtechnology for the recovery of valuable peptides from industrial RICE by-products and production of added value ingredients for nutraceuticals, functional foods and cosmetics" (Role: partner)
· ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana) (2013): - “On ground microgravity cellular models and proteomic analysis for the identification of targets involved in gastroenterical motility - GUTBRAIN” (Role: participant)
· Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (2011): Gametocyte Assay for Malaria (GAM) for Novel Anti-Transmission Drugs (Role: participant)
· FIRB (2008): Development of bioremediation procedures and novel detection biotechnologies for Endocrine Disruptors (Role: Responsible of UNIBO unit)
· Prin (2009): Integration of biosensing and nanotechnology for medical diagnostics with high analytical performance (Role: participant)
