Position
Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry, University of Bologna
Participant to the Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research "Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy" (CIRI-FRAME) and to Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research "Aerospace" (CIRI-AERO)
Education and Training
DSc Degree in Chemistry, University of Bologna: Magna Cum Laude
(1989)
PhD Degree in Chemistry, University of Bologna (1994)
Scolarship, FRAE Institute, CNR, Bologna (1994-1995)
Post-doc grant, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry,
University of Lausanne, Switzerland (1996)
University activity
Researcher of Analytical Chemistry, University of Bologna (1998-2001)
Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry, University of Bologna (2001-)
Teaching activity
Analytical Chemistry teaching in graduate courses (Chemistry and
Pharmaceutical Technologies, Applied Pharamaceutical Sciences
(curriculum Environmental toxicology), Chemical Methodologies for Products and Processes, Biotechnology.
Scientific Activity
Study of the photophysical properties of metal complexes, in
particular of luminescent lanthanide and transition metal
complexes. Conjugation of lanthanide complexes to biospecific
reagents (e.g., antibodies) and their use as probes in
bioanalytical methods based on time-resolved luminescence
measurements.
Development of ultrasensitive luminescence analytical methods
for the detection of enzymes, substrates and metabolites.
Application to the screening of enzyme inhibitors (e.g.,
acetylcholinesterase, COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors) and the
measurement of antioxidant activity of biological samples.
Development of ultrasensitive immunoassays based on luminescence
detection. Application for the analysis of environmental,
biological and clinical samples and for the detection and
localization of organic binders in cultural heritages by
luminescence imaging microscopy.
Development of luminescence immunohistochemistry and in situ
hybridization techniques for the localization of antigens and gene
sequences in tissue sections and single cells. Quantitative
measurement on target analytes in tissue sections by imaging
microscopy.
On-line and off-line coupling of luminescence detection with
separative systems, such as Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) devices,
for the study of the fractionation process and the development of
new analytical techniques.
Quantitative analysis of drugs and metabolites in biological
samples by HPLC with mass spectrometry detection. Application to
pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence studies.
Development of analytical systems based on optical techniques (spectrophotometry, fluorescence, bio-chemiluminescence, electrochemiluminescence), fluidics and microfluidics (microfluidic devices, lateral flow immunoassay paper-based), and portable detectors (CCD and CMOS cameras, thin-film solid-state light sensors, smartphones) with applications in clinical, environmental and food analysis.
Personal skills and expertise
Mother tongue: Italian
Reading skills: English (good)
Writing skills: English (good)
Verbal skills: English (fair)
Technical skills and expertise
Photophysical characterization of luminescent species using
steady-state and time-resolved absorption and emission
spectroscopic techniques. Development and/or optimization of
analytical and bioanalytical methods based on single and coupled
enzyme reactions with luminescence detection. Ultrasensitive
luminescence imaging techniques applied for the localization of
target analytes on macro- and microsamples. Development of portable analytical and bioanalytical devices based on optical detection techniques.
Scientific publications
Author of more than 100 papers on referred journals in the fields
of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic
Chemistry.
