Assistant professor at the University of Bologna since 1998, she carries out her research in the field of clinical microbiology, at S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital. Her research interests are in the area of mycobacterial infections, in particular those supported by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Currently she has been focused on the development of molecular and immunological techniques for the diagnosis of infection.
EDUCATION
1989: Graduated in Biological Science "cum laude"
at the University of Bologna, Italy,under the direction of Prof. M.
La Placa. Dissertation topic: Identification and diagnostic use
of recombinant proteins of Human Cytomegalovirus.
1989-1990: Stage of one year at the Codivilla Putti
Research Institut , in the Laboratory of Genetic and Immunology
Bologna , Italy directed by Prof. A. Facchini.
1992-1995: Post-Doctoral fellow at the Pasteur Institut,
Paris, France in the Laboratory of Immunology and Virology directed
by Prof. J.L. Virilizier, supervised by Dott. S. Michelson.
1995: Specialization Degree in Microbiology and Virology
"cum laude" at the University of Bologna, Italy, under the
direction of Prof. M.P. Landini Dissertation topic: Cloning of
human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL83 and study of the function of its
product.
PRESENT POSITION
Since 1998: Assistant Professor in Microbiology and
Clinical Microbiology (MED/07), Faculty of Medicine,
University of Bologna, Italy.
Since 1999: Biologist of the Service of Microbiology and
Virology, S. Orsola General Hospital, Bologna taly
Fellowships and Awards: Italian Ministry of
Health (1992-1994), CIB (1995); First Prize funded by ABT (Advanced
BioTechnology): VI European Edition of the OAK-RIDGE conference on
advanced technology for the clinical laboratory and biotechnology
(1990).
Fundings obtained: As partecipant: since 1991: AIDS
prjects, Istituto Superiore di Sanità; BIOMED II, CEE; MURST (ex
40%), University of Bologna (ex 60%). As leader: Progetto Giovani
RicercatoriUniversity of Bologna (1999); progetto di Ricerca
Fondamentale Orientata (RFO - ex 60%) since 2002
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY
1989-90: at the Research Institut Codivilla Putti,
Bologna, in the Laboratory of Genetic and Immunology.
Main topics:
- Humoral response anti-HBs following vaccination with cDNA
HBsAg.
- Evaluation of intracellular nucleotides in lymphocytes and
granulocytes from normal ageing subjects.
1990: First prize at the "ATB'90, IV European Edition of
the OAK RIDGE conference on advanced Technology for the Clinical
laboratory and Biotechnology" with the subject:
-
"Human cytomegalovirus recombinant antigens: production,
characterization and use as a diagnostic tool."
1990-92: at the Institut of Microbiology of
Bologna. Main topics:
- Study
of the humoral response against sintetic peptides of structural and
non structural antigens of Human Cytomegalovirus
- Study of the correlation between virus detection and serology
for the diagnosis of active Cytomegalovirus infection in AIDS
patients.
1992-95: at the Pasteur Institut, Paris, France in the
Laboratory of Immunology and Virology:
Grants: from the Italian Institut of Health, AIDS
project and from the European Community, Biomed projecrt
Main topics: Study of the role of Human Cytomegalovirus
structural antigens in the initiation of viral replicative cycle
and regulation of the host cell metabolism in relation to
HIV-1.
Modulation of chemochines production during HCMV
infection
1995-2010 at the Department of Clinical and Experimental
Medicine, Division of Microbiology,University of Bologna,
Italy. Main topics:
- Expression and characterization of HCMV UL83,
UL53 and UL73 gene products
- Study of gpUL73 (gN)polymorphisms and use of gN as
possible virulence markers of clinical HCMV isolates
- Sepsis in immunocompromised patients
Since 2010 up to date the focus of the research activity regarded Mycobacteria infection, with particular attention to Mycobacterium tuberculosis; the main research topics:
1) Epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB);
3) Study of the immune response in patients with tuberculosis, with a focus on immunocompromised patients, pediatric and immigrant populations;
4) Evaluation of new tests for the diagnosis of infection and TB disease;
5) New molecular markers for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
6) Anti-mycobacterial activities of new Monocyclic β-lactams
7) Environmental surveillance for Mycobacterium chimaera and Legionella spp in healthcare facilities: innovative methods for risk management and early diagnosis.
Results of the researches have been published in more than 70 scientific international papers (H index calculated with Scopus: 17) and have been presented in several National and International Congresses.
Funding obtained:
1999: Young Researchers Project, University of Bologna, Italy
Since 2002 up to date: Ricerca Fondamentale Orientata (RFO), University of Bologna, Italy
2009: Foundation “Del Monte di Bologna e di Ravenna”
2010: Foundation “Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna”,
2013 and 2017 Foundation “Del Monte di Bologna e di Ravenna”
Teaching activity (aa 2021-2022):
• Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology for the Degree in Podology, University of Bologna
• Professor of Microbiology for the Degree in Orthopaedics Techniques, University of Bologna
Professor of Bacteriology for the degree in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, University of Bologna
