Education:
Degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical
Technologies 1994 University of Bologna
PhD (Pharmaceutical
Sciences) 1998 University of Bologna
Research fellow 1996 LACDR-Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Post-doctoral grant for abroad training period 1998-1999 Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Professional Experience:
Assistant Professor, Medicinal Chemistry
1999-2014
University of Bologna
Associate Professor, Medicinal Chemistry 2014-present University of Bologna
Research Interests:
Design and synthesis of small bioactive molecules, mainly oxygenated heterocycles related to flavonoids, as drug candidates for the treatment of tumours (flavone-8-acetic acid derivatives, MDR modulators, aromatase inhibitors), cardiovascular (DHPs, aldosterone synthase inhibitors) and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s Disease). These natural products related scaffolds, in particular flavone and xanthone, can be considered as privileged structures on which to introduce appropriate patterns of substitutions in order to reach diverse biological targets. With the aim of tackling the complex nature of multifactorial diseases with molecules that can simultaneously interact with different biological counterparts, the multitarget approach is also applied.
Research projects:
PRIN 1997 – Synthesis and antitumor activity of imidazole and indole derivatives and tamoxifene analogues. Area 03 – Chemical Sciences. Duration 24 months.
PRIN 2002 – Apoptosis, flavonoids and CDK: design, synthesis end biological evaluation of novel antitumor agents. Area 03 - Chemical Sciences. Duration 24 months.
PRIN 2004 – Novel antiproliferative agents related to natural and synthetic prototypes. Area 03 - Chemical Sciences. Duration 24 months.
PRIN 2006 – Novel molecules and computational studies for the discovery of antitumor agents interfering with cell cycle control. Area 03 - Chemical Sciences. Duration 24 months.
PRIN 2009 – Ligand-based design and synthesis of novel molecules for the discovery of antitumor agents active as cell cycle modulators. Area 03 - Chemical Sciences. Duration 24 months.
PRIN 2022 - Development of HYbrid and Multifunctional Bio-conjugates against Alzheimer’s Disease (HYMBAD). Area 03 - Chemical Sciences. Duration 24 months.
Professional Society Memberships:
Società Chimica Italiana, SCI - Division of Medicinal
Chemistry
Service Activities:
2003-2009 Secretariat for the Course of Quality control for health products –
Rimini Campus
2013-2016 Secretariat for the Course of Pharmacy - Rimini Campus
2012-2022 Member of the Web Site Committee of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology
2019-present Member of the Teachers-students joint commission of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology
2013-present Secretariat for the Course of Pharmaceutical Chemistry And Technology
Teaching Activities
Present:
From 2018/19 Drug Analysis II (Pharmacy)
From 2014/15 Drug Analisis I (CTF)
Past:
2001/02
Laboratory Course of Drug Extraction and Synthesis (CTF)
2002/03
Drug Analysis I (CTF)
2003/04-2007/08 Pharmaceutical Analysis I (Rimini Campus)
2005/06-2008/09 seminars for the course of Pharmaceutical chemistry and toxicology I for the Specialisation school in hospital pharmacy
2008/09-2019-20 Drug
Analysis II (Pharmacy, Rimini Campus)
2014/15-2017/18 Drug Analisis I-qualitative analysis (Pharmacy, Rimini Campus)
Tutoring activities
Since 1999 tutor or co-tutor of several degree thesis for students of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies and Pharmacy.
2017-2020 tutor of PhD student in 'Scienze biotecnologiche, biocomputazionali, farmaceutiche e farmacologiche' (XXXIII ciclo), University of Bologna.
Editorial, Refereeing and Reviewing Activities:
Referee for several international scientific journals, among which Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Bioorganic Medicinal Chemistry.
