Francesca patrignani is full professor.
Francesca Patrignani was born in Cesena (FC), on 12/13/1975 and is an Italian citizen. She graduated in 2000 in Food Science and Technology, University of Bologna, Faculty of Agriculture, with a thesis in Food Microbiology (graduation grade 110/110). In 2004 she obtained a PhD in Food Biotechnology. Subsequently, she was the winner of numerous research grants both within regional projects such as PRRIITT and TECAL and national and European projects. The research topics of the aforementioned grants concerned the use of innovative non-thermal technologies, such as high homogenization pressures, for the treatment of food fluid systems, the use of flavoring substances of vegetal origin for the improvement of microbiological quality of vegetable products, the evaluation of the effectiveness of innovative technologies such as plasma gas and high pressures homogenization for the deactivation of pathogenic and degrading microorganisms in foods of animal and vegetable origin, the use of innovative strategies for improving the quality of minimally vegetable products.
In the year 2010-2012 she was the winner, at the University of Bologna, of a position as a fixed-term cat D1 technician, in the Department of Food Sciences. In 2014 she started working at the DISTAL of the University of Bologna as a Fixed-Term Researcher (RTD) type A, Junior, while in 2015 you won a position as a RTD Researcher type B (senior), at the same Department . As part of DISTAL, for the courses on the Cesena Campus, you were delegated to outgoing orientation and responsible for relations between students and industrial reality. You took part in the organization of the 2019 Job day organized for Agriculture and Veterinary students with the aim of promoting their inclusion/hiring in companies of the food sector.
In 2018 she became Associate Professor at DISTAL where she still carries out teaching and research activities in the disciplinary scientific sector 07/I1 (Agricultural Microbiology ex AGR16). Since 2021, Francesca Patrignani has been Coordinator of the Master's Degree Course LM-70 Food Sciences and Technologies of the Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna. She is also the national task leader of task 8.1.3 Valorization of the waste to obtain biomaterials PNRR - Mission 4 - Component 2 Investment 1.4 "Strengthening research structures and creation of "national R&D champions" on some Key Enabling Technologies" D. D. 3138 of 12/16/2021 corrected with D.D. 3175 of 18/12/2021 - Agritech, Proposal Code CN00000022 - CUP J33C22001150008.
Her research activity mainly concerns:
1. The study of the physiology, metabolism and application opportunities of starter and non-starter microorganisms for the improvement and diversification of foods.
2. The study of the physiology, metabolism and application opportunities of probiotic microorganisms for the production of functional foods.
3. The study of the physiology, metabolism and application opportunities of non-conventional yeasts for the valorization of waste and by-products of the agri-food industry.
4. The study and application potential of innovative non-thermal technologies for improving food safety and shelf-life.
5. The study and application potential of innovative non-thermal technologies for the modulation of the fermentative and functional capacities of starter, co-starter and probiotic lactic acid bacteria.
6. The study of the response mechanisms of microorganisms of food interest to chemical-physical and process stress.
7. The study of the use of natural antimicrobial molecules and bio-control cultures to improve the safety, shelf-life and quality of foods.
8. The study of the effect of chemical-physical and compositional parameters of foods on the development dynamics of pathogenic and degrading microorganisms in foods.
9. The biotechnological valorisation of waste and by-products from the food industry into innovative ingredients for the food sector.
10. The microbiological characterization of food systems using traditional and molecular techniques.
TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Since the beginning of her career, Francesca Patrignani has participated in research and technology transfer activities within the “Technologies and systems laboratory for the food industry” - TECAL Hi-Mech District” and the “Research and transfer laboratories technological - Security Technologies Innovation Agri-food (SITEIA)”, promoting the dissemination of results among companies in the sector and/or within specialized conferences and fairs (CIBUS Parma, CIBUS TEH Parma, R2B). Francesca Patrignani is a member of CIRI-Agroalimentare (Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-food Research) where she was responsible for operational unit 1 "Safety and Authenticity" and is a member of the Council. As a member of CIRI-AGRO, you participated in the implementation of the POR-FESR 2014-2020 projects ECOPACKLAB, FOOD CROSSING DISTRICT, INNOFRUVE, MICROEMIRO, PARENT, SMARTHWEAT. Currently co-coordinator of the project "Biomolecules from the valorisation of agri-food by-products for sustainable, safe and active primary packaging (BIO4SUSPACK)" APPROVED TO BE VALID WITHIN THE "PR FESR 2021-2027 ACTION 1.1.2 NOTICE FOR STRATEGIC INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH PROJECTS AIMED AT THE SECTORS PRIORITIES OF THE INTELLIGENT SPECIALIZATION STRATEGY” APPROVED WITH DGR 2097/2022 AND SS.MM – CUP J47G22000740003. During her career, she has continuously carried out, as scientific manager or part of the research team, numerous activities aimed at technology transfer, process and product innovation and the development of innovative formulations and strategies for companies in the sector agri-food, plant engineering (Gea S.p.A.) and packaging, both national (Bestack) and international (FEFCO, The European Federation of Corrugated board Manufacturers). The main industries with which it has collaborated are Christian Hansen, Amadori, Gea S.p.A, C.O.O.P Italia, Conserve Italia, Terre Emerse, Agrifarm, CoopBox Europe, Biosphere, Rosso Vivo, Molini Pivetti, Macè, Caseificio Mambelli, Centrale del Latte, Granarolo, Barilla Group S.p.A, FEFCO, Bestack, Bioplanet, Pomel srl, Verbiba, Sapori del mio Orto, Agrosistemi srl, Distillerie Mazzari, Fruttagel, A&B. As regards the packaging industry, her innovation and technology transfer activity has also resulted in the production of a patent in collaboration with the Bestack consortium. This patent, recognized nationally as one of the major innovations for the fruit and vegetable sector, is aimed at the creation of active packaging, based on the application of natural antimicrobials, for the extension of the shelf-life and safety of fruit and vegetable products. Patent no. 102015000076561 and PCT/EP2016/078287, “PACKAGING FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTS TREATED WITH AN ANTIMICROBIAL SOLUTION” (WO2017089292A1, EP3380413A1, ITUB20155878A1, IL259511D0). This patent was presented by the candidate and the research group to the Chamber of Deputies in Rome on 12/13/2016. Furthermore, the patent was presented by the University of Bologna at the WINTER SCHOOL NETVAL event "Technological transfer in the agri-food sector. Innovation from research and experimentation” Casa delle Ursuline, Cortina (BL) (28 February - 2 March 2018). The patent was presented as part of the event INOVACION PARA LA AGRICULTURA, AGROINDUSTRIA Y ALAMENTOS-Tecnologias, equipamientos y materialis, Quito, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Ecuador (24-07-2018 - 25-07-2018). In 2019, the patent was the winner of the Comieco Factory Inventions Call and of the tenth edition of the Non Waste Award, announced by the Luiss Guido Carli University, at the forefront in the promotion of green oriented and sustainable activities and culture. In the field of sustainability, Francesca Patrignani has collaborated with various companies for the valorization of waste and by-products from the agri-food industry including Fruttagel and Distillerie Mazzari. Francesca Patrignani is also co-inventor in the patent application for industrial invention n. 102023000017907 filed on 08/31/2023 entitled "Sanitizing composition for the treatment of surfaces in the food sector and cleaning method that uses this sanitizing composition" in the name of AEB SpA and ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA.
TRAINING ACTIVITY
Shee has carried out training activities in the field of European planning and for bodies such as EFSO, IRECOOP, San Patrignano, ORMA, receiving assignments for teaching activities relating to various projects, including: A. 2000. Assignment for teaching activities relating to the project: “IFTS-QUALITY AND SAFETY SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN IN AGRI-FOOD COMPANIES”, at EFESO, Bologna, training body for the social economy.
A. 2001. Assignment for teaching activities at IRECOOP, Faenza. Competence relating to "ORGANOLEPTIC QUALITIES OF FOOD PRODUCTS."
A. 2006. Assignment for teaching activities relating to the project: “JOBTRAINIG: VALORIZATION ACTIONS IN ORMA” – ref. PA 2005-0183/Bologna.
A.2008: Training and Carrier Development (TCD). BERLIN: TCD Network-NovelQ-Berlin University of Technology. Berlin, Germany.
A. 2009. Assignment for teaching activities relating to the project "IFTS Higher Technical Course in the Transformation of Agro-industrial Products". At IRECOOP, Forlì.
A. 2011. Assignment for teaching activities relating to the project "IFTS Higher Technical Course on the Transformation of Agro-industrial Products". At IRECOOP, Forlì.
A 2019. Assignment for teaching activities relating to the “HACCP and safety in San Patrignano” project, San Patrignano, Rimini.
A 2019. Organization of the laboratory course “Other non-thermal technologies” as part of the PEF School 2019, Cesena.
To 2023-2024. Assignment for the training of A31 high school teachers in the discipline "Food Microbiology"
PRIZES ACHIEVED
Francesca Patrignani was also the winner of two Scientific Excellence Poster awards, one of which was awarded by INRA and financed by the industrial world during the "Fruit and Veg Processing" conference (Avignon, 2016) (poster title: Use of high pressure homogenization for the production of natural antimicrobial based nanoemulsions to prolong the safety and shelf-life of apple juice) and the other awarded by the Scientific Federation during the “Women Health” conference (Valencia, 2018) (poster title: Gender food as dietary strategy to increase woman well-being).
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Francesca Patrignani has actively collaborated in the implementation and drafting of regional, national, European, international and exchange research projects. As part of the POR-FESR 2014-2020 projects, you participated as a member of the laboratories of the High Technology network in ECOPACKLAB, FOOD CROSSING DISTRICT, INNOFRUVE, MICROEMIRO, PARENT, SMARTHWEAT. As regards national projects, you contributed significantly to the implementation of the following projects: PRIN 2005-Use of flavoring substances of vegetal origin for the improvement of the microbiological quality of food products; AGER (STAYFRESH)-Innovative strategies meeting the needs of companies in the fresh-cut fruit and vegetable sector - Novel strategies meeting the needs of the fresh-cut vegetable sector; ATENA Made in Italy. New technological approaches for increasing shelf-life and service content in products qualifying the Mediterranean food model (ATENA). As part of the European project, you contributed significantly to the implementation of the project activities of: HighQ-RTE (FP 6) - Innovative non-thermal processing technologies to improve the quality and safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) meals ; AgriFood AgriFoodResults (FP7) - European initiative for a better use of the results of agri-food research. Francesca Patrignani contributed to the dissemination and exploitation of the HighQ-RTE project results by taking part as an instructor in the Carrier Development (TCD) organized at the University of Berlin to encourage exchange between researchers and the industrial world. As a researcher and professor. As an associate you have been actively involved in Ecoberries ERA-Net CORE (FP7) -Ensuring quality and safety of organic food along the processing chain- and currently in NewTechAqua, (H2020)-New Technologies, Tools and Strategies for a Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative European Aquaculture. Francesca Patrignani was a member of the coordinating unit of the MILDSUSFRUIT project “Innovative Mild Processing Tailored to Ensure Sustainable and High Quality Organic Fruit Products”, ERANET SUSFOOD2 CORE ORGANIC COFUND NOTICE, Number 9386878 (2021-2023) As part of the BBI, she is involved in the DEMO INGREEN project (H2020-BBI-JTI-2018-DEMO, GA 838120, (2029-2022)- Production of functional innovative ingredients from paper and agro-food side-streams through sustainable and efficient tailor-made biotechnological processes for food, feed, pharma and cosmetics of which the University of Bologna is scientific coordinator. For this high TRL DEMO project, whose partnership was mainly represented by the industrial world, Francesca Patrignani was part of the technical steering committee (STC) aimed at directing project activities, disseminating project results and the Long Term dissemination and exploitation board to accelerate the market uptake of the resulting products. Francesca Patrignani is included in the DISTAL research team as part of the Horizon H2020 projects INTAQT “INnovative Tools for Assessment and Authentication of chicken meat, beef and dairy products' QualiTies” (01/06/2021 - 31/05/2026) and Horizon H2020 COFRESH “CO-creating sustainable and competitive FRuits and vEgetableS' value cHains in Europe” 01/10/2020-31/03/2024. Francesca Patrignani is national task leader in PNRR - Mission 4 – Component 2 Investment 1.4 “Strengthening research structures and creation of "national R&D champions" on some Key Enabling Technologies” D. D. 3138 of 12/16/2021 corrected with D.D. 3175 of 18/12/2021 – Agritech. Francesca Patrignani is responsible for the DISTAL of the project HORIZON-CL6-2023-CIRCBIO-02, RIA ONE EARTH Earth-to-marine-to-earth virtuous cycle: Harnessing residual biomass of animal origin for terrestrial-marine circular integrated economy (2024- 2027). She participated in the drafting and implementation of the joint international cooperation project between Italy (UNIBO) and Argentina (Instituto de Lactologia Industrial-Facultad Ing. Quimica-UNL) approved for the period 2006-2007 and took part in the project activities of the CUIA project Italy-Argentina (2013). Furthermore, in 2014 she was part of an Italian delegation at the EWA University, Seoul, South Korea. 2023- Francesca Patrignani participated, for the University of Bologna, in the drafting of the EXPO2020DUBAI FOCUSER project (funded and first in the ranking) "Inter-university campus for higher education and innovative research on food processing"
COORDINATION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS
✓Francesca Patrignani was coordinator for the Italian side of the Italy-Canada exchange project (2017-2020) project code QU17MO02 “Potential of milk bacteria and levures in so many bio-protective cultures for soft cheeses” (coordinator Canadian Prof. Ismail Fliss).
✓ Furthermore, she was coordinator of the alma idea junior project, within the University of Bologna, "Biotechnological approaches for the production of a gendered food" (01-01-2018 to 31-01-2020)
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AT FOREIGN INSTITUTES
Francesca Patrignani carried out part of her research activity at: - the Institute of “Hygiene and Toxicology” BFE (now Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food), Germany, in the period May-July 2003, dealing with the study of strains of lactic acid bacteria and their phenotypic, molecular and functional characterization having prof. as supervisor and scientific director. W. Holzapfel.
-As part of the joint research project between Italy and Argentina, in the period September-October 2006, she carried out your research activity at the Institute of Industrial Lactology, Univesidad del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina having as supervisor and scientific director Prof. J. Reinheimer.
- In 2014, Francesca Patrignani was part of an Italian delegation visiting the EWHA University institute, Seoul (Korea), participating in the Italy-Korea bilateral symposium (1 May 2014) organized by the Italian embassy in Seoul and sponsored by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On this occasion, Francesca Patrignani participated in numerous meetings with Korean delegates for the planning of future research and exchange activities.
In 2015, Francesca Patrignani carried out part of her research activity, concerning the use of natural antimicrobials for prolonging the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables, at Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB), Potsdam, Germany (collaboration with Prof. Oliver Schlüter).
- In the years 2017, 2018 and 2019, Francesca Patrignani carried out part of her research activity, as scientific director of the Italy-Canada project, at the Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation Université Laval, Quebec City, working on the selection of a microbial consortium as biocontrol agents for short-ripening cheeses collaborating with prof. Ismail Fliss.
CURRENT COLLABORATION ACTIVITIES
Francesca Patrignani also carries out her research activity in collaboration with foreign institutes such as:
- the Instituto de Lactologia Industrial (INLAIN, Santa Fe, Argentina (contact Dr. Reinheimer),
- School of Life Sciences, Handong Global University, South Korea (contact Prof. Holzapfel)
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Dept. of Biochemistry, Univ. of Yaounde Cameroon (contact Dr. Sado), Department of Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science,
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (contact Dr. Ndajigimana),
- Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik Potsdam-Bornim e.V. (ATB), Potsdam, Germany (contact Prof Oliver Schluter),
- Université Laval, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation Quebec City (contact Prof. Ismail Fliss).
- Department of Food Science (FOOD) · University of Copenhagen (Denmark). Prof. Lane Jespersen.
RESEARCH PRODUCTS, PARTICIPATION IN EDITORIAL BOARDING, PATENTS AND AWARDS Francesca Patrignani is co-author of 119 printed publications with international review committee (h index Scopus 37, total citations 3,712), 8 contributions in volume and over 250 printed presentations in conference proceedings, of which 12 as oral presentations in English in symposiums international presented by the candidate. Since 2017, Francesca Patrignani has also been Associate Editor of the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.
TEACHING ACTIVITY
2014-2015 Winner at the University of Bologna of a 20-hour teaching module for teaching oenological microbiology (exercise module).
From 2015-present
Francesca Patrignani teaches:
• APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY – (4 ETCS) at the Master's Degree course in Food Science and Technology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna.
• BIOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS (4 ETCS) at the three-year degree course in Food Technologies, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna.
• GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (2 ETCS) at the three-year degree course Viticulture and Oenology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna.
Francesca Patrignani has been co-supervisor of over 200 degree theses, supervisor of 56 theses, tutor of 3 doctoral students, co-supervisor of 3.
INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY
Francesca Patrignani has participated in the institutional life of the University since her appointment as RTD A/B, maintaining constant participation in the Councils of Master's and Bachelor's Degree Courses, Departments and CIRI-Agri-Food. As Coordinator of the LM-70 Food Science and Technology Course, she presides over all the Course Councils. The candidate was also appointed, for the 2018 researchers' night event, as contact person for the Insectando activity. In the academic years from 2016, Francesca Patrignani participated in the University activities organized within the framework of ALMAORIENTA and MAGISTRALLE to promote the orientation service for high school and three-year degree students. The candidate was also responsible for the school-work alternation activities in May 2019 held at the laboratories of the Food Science campus for high school students. As part of the organization of the PEF School 2019, she was responsible for organizing the laboratory course “Other non-thermal technologies”. Francesca Patrignani, within DISTAL, for the courses on the Cesena Campus, was delegated for outgoing orientation and responsible for student/industrial relations. She took part in the organization of the 2019 Job day organized for Agriculture and Veterinary students with the aim of promoting their inclusion/hiring in the company. Furthermore, she was president of the internship commission for students of the Master's Degree in Food Science and Technology and is a member of the Ciri Agroalimentare board and head of the operational unit.
