My research activity focuses on the study of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in degenerative processes, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic targets and developing innovative strategies. Specifically, I work on:
1. Non-coding RNA and Post-transcriptional Regulation
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Investigation of the role of non-coding RNAs (miRNAs, tRFs, isomiRs, etc.) in the modulation of mRNA stability and translation
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RNA editing
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Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and subcellular localization
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Epigenetic, mitochondrial, and cellular stress-related implications
2. Protein Quality Control and Cellular Stress
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Mechanisms of proteostasis and protein quality control
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Signal transduction under stress conditions
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Analysis of protein aggregation and cellular detoxification systems
3. Metabolism and Cellular Aging
4. Autophagic Dynamics
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Studies on regulatory mechanisms of autophagy
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Dynamics of autophagic flux
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Role of autophagy in apoptosis, cellular senescence, and disassembly of ribonucleoprotein granules
5. Diseases of Interest
Investigation of cellular and molecular mechanisms in:
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Osteoarthritis
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Cardiovascular diseases
Biological Models Used
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Organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
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Primary cell cultures from patients
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Human and animal cell lines
Technologies and Experimental Approaches
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Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), RNA-seq and small RNA-seq
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Bioinformatic analysis: pathway enrichment, target prediction, RNA–protein and RNA–RNA interaction studies
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Differentiation of iPSCs into cardiomyocyte-like cells
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Gene modulation (silencing/overexpression using ASOs, siRNAs, plasmids, mimics)
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Polysome profiling and RNA/protein co-immunoprecipitation
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Gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR, Western blot)
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Enzymatic assays and protein aggregation assessment
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Fluorescence and 3D confocal microscopy, single-cell analysis in vivo
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Real-time analysis of cellular metabolism using Seahorse XF and IncuCyte platforms
