Qualification
2020. Full Professor, Academic discipline MED/07 – Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology of the University of Bologna. Appointment with effect from 21 December 2020.
2017. National Scientific Qualification (ASN) as Full Professor, sector 06/A3, Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology (SSD MED/07).
2004. Associate Professor, Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, then Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna. Appointment with effect from 7 January 2004. Confirmation in role with effect from 7 January 2007.
1999. Affiliation as Medical Staff at the Microbiology Unit, Hospital S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, in convention with the National Health System - Regione Emilia Romagna
1998. Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Bologna. Appointment with effect from 1 April 1998. Confirmation in role with effect from 9 April 2001.
Education
1994-1997. Medical Specialization Degree in Microbiology and Virology obtained from the University of Bologna, 70/70 cum laude, presenting a thesis entitled "Development and standardization of a competitive PCR assay for the detection of Human Parvovirus B19".
1992-1993. Scholarship conferred by the ISS (Rome). Scientific activity conducted for the period September 1992 - November 1993 at the Hematology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Bethesda MD USA, Director N.S. Young.
1989-1994. PhD Degree in Microbiological Sciences obtained from the University of Genova, presenting a dissertation entitled "Molecular biology in the study and diagnosis of Parvovirus B19".
1982-1989. Degree in Medicine and Surgery obtained from the University of Bologna, 110/110 cum Laude.
Teaching activity
Teaching in the following courses:
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY - Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Health Biology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology.
MICROBIOLOGY AND VACCINES - Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology.
Participation in the Academic Board of the PhD Degree Programs:
Biotechnological, Biocomputational, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (Cycles 34-…)
Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Cycles 30- 33)
Biochemical Sciences and Biotechnology (Cycles 26-29)
Scientific activity
The scientific research activity is addressed to the virology field, mainly devoted to the study of Parvovirus B19, a human pathogenic virus, as a model system.
In this context, the research has mainly focused on:
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the study of viral and biological characteristics of the virus-cell interactions
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the study of the pathogenesis, clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious processes
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the development of innovative methodologies and diagnostic assays
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the development of antiviral drugs
Top-ranking lab on the research topic Parvovirus B19: www.expertscape.com/ex/parvovirus+b19%2C+human
Within the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, he is coordinator of the Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology research group (SUA-RD Sheets 2011-2019).
Participation in funded Projects of National Interest Research (PRIN)
PRIN 2020 (202089LLEH_001) Transition from asymptomatic colonization to disease by human respiratory-tract bacteria as a target for vaccines and antimicrobial therapy: The CoDiCo (colonisation to disease concepts) project.
PRIN 2017 (20179JHAMZ_007) APPEALING: An integrated APProach focusEd on defining the moleculAr and biological mechanisms reguLatING viral reactivation and persistence.
PRIN 2015 (2015W729WH_006) Persistent and latent viral infections: mechanisms controlling viral reactivation/replication and chronic/degenerative damages.
PRIN 2010-2011 (20108ZSRTR_002) ARTEMIDE (Autonomous Real Time Embedded Multi-analyte Integrated Detection Environment): fully integrated lab-on-chip for the early detection of viral infections – Responsible of Scientific Research Unit.
PRIN 2006 (2006033944_003) Innovative methods for integrated top-down analysis of proteins in new generation proteomics and diagnostics.
PRIN 2004 (2004031137_002) Integrate Innovative Techniques for Identification, Selection and Characterization of Proteomics and Metabolomics of Microorganisms potentially pathogen for Man.
PRIN 1999 (9906105837_002) Study of RNA virus-specific messengers of parvovirus B19 in infection in vitro and in vivo.
Coordinator of scientific cooperation projects with commercial companies in the Biopharmaceutical Sector
2017. HuMabs (subsidiary of Vir Ltd). Investigation of the neutralizing activity of Human Monoclonal Antibodies against Parvovirus B19 (B19V).
2015. Chimerix Inc. Investigation of the antiviral activity of Brincidofovir (BCV) against Parvovirus B19 (B19V).
2013. Biotrin International Ltd. Experimentation of molecular diagnostic tests based on the LAMP technology.
2012. Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. Evaluation of Human Parvovirus B19 Inactivation by the Pasteurization Step in Human Fibrinogen Production.
2010. Biotrin International Ltd. Evaluation of the applicability of the LAMP technology to the development of molecular assays for the detection of DNA of Parvovirus B19 and BK virus.
2009. DiaSorin S.p.A. Comparative analysis of the new test DiaSorin LIAISON Parvovirus IgM.
2000. Farma Biagini - Kedrion S.p.A. Use of a competitive PCR method for the detection of DNA of Parvovirus B19 in human plasma samples.
Institutional and academic assignments activities
Since 2018: Coordinator of the International Master's Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
Since 2013: Representative of the University of Bologna on the Board of Directors of the ItalBiotec Consortium (https://www.italbiotec.it/)
2012 - 2015 and 2018-2021: Member of the Department Board, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna.
2013 - 2018: President of the Joint Commission of the School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Movement Sciences, University of Bologna.
2013 - 2018: Delegate for guidance for the School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Exercise Sciences, University of Bologna.
2012 - 2015: Member of the Board of the School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Movement Sciences, University of Bologna.
2009 - 2012: Member of the Presidency Council of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Bologna
2005 - 2007: Coordinator of the Degree Course in Scientific Information on Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Bologna
Editorial activity
Editorial Board Member for Journal ‘Viruses’ (MDPI); Guest Editor for the Special Issues:
Academic textbooks
Contributed to the compilation of the following academic textbooks:
Nicola Carlone. Microbiologia Farmaceutica, EdiSes, Napoli (3rd edition)
Michele La Placa. Principi di Microbiologia Medica; Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna, (8
-13th edition) e EdiSes, Napoli (14th edition)
Prizes and Awards
2000. Abbott Murex Award, conferred by the European Society for Clinical Virology, for the original contribution in the field of virological diagnosis.
1996. C.I.B. Diploma - Conferred by the Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology, Biomedical sector, for originality and quality of scientific activities in the field of biotechnology.
