Ricerc@Sapienza

Our research investigates the mechanisms underlying cellular recovery, with a particular emphasis on the role of nutrients as active modulators of repair and adaptation processes, especially in neural models exposed to oxidative stress or harboring rare metabolic mutations. We study how micronutrients—at both physiological and pharmacological doses—affect neural-like cells, focusing on metabolism as a potential upstream modulator rather than a downstream consequence.

We study a group of protein conformational diseases caused by polymerisation of mutant serpins (serin proteinase inhibitors), specifically the neuronal protein neuroserpin and the hepatic serpin alpha-1 antitrypsin. The mechanism of inhibition of serpins requires a high molecular flexibility that renders them very sensitive to destabilising mutations.

Our laboratory is dedicated to understanding how RNA modifications influence cancer and to developing novel therapies. 

<p>We are&nbsp;molecular biologists investigating RNA biology and gene regulation in physiological and pathological contexts. The group is led by&nbsp;Prof. Monica Ballarino&nbsp;and includes&nbsp;Dr. Giulia Buonaiuto, postdoctoral researcher;&nbsp;Sara Capurso, Master’s student in Genetics and Molecular Biology; and Dr.&nbsp;Marco Simula&nbsp;and Dr.&nbsp;Daniele Durante, PhD students in Genetics and Molecular Biology.

L'obiettivo di questo progetto è acquisire nuove conoscenze sui meccanismi epigenetici che potrebbero determinare il comportamento di germinazione indipendente dalla luce. Lo studio si concentra sul ruolo consolidato di PRC2 durante la fase iniziale di germinazione, valutando anche nuovi indizi sul panorama epigenetico che si stabilisce durante le prime fasi di sviluppo dei semi.

The research group led by Dr. Daniela Pontiggia investigates the plant cell wall as a dynamic platform for development, immunity, and environmental interaction. The team focuses on Cell Wall–Derived Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (CW-DAMPs) — endogenous molecules released upon stress or infection that act as danger signals to modulate plant defense responses and growth.

Il laboratorio ECAS (www.ecaslab.com) è diretto da Luca Santini e ha sede presso il Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie dell'Università Sapienza di Roma. Il gruppo di ricerca si concentra sui pattern ecologici e i processi che agiscono a diverse scale spaziali, temporali e tassonomiche e a diversi livelli di organizzazione biologica. In particolare, la ricerca cerca di comprendere come tali processi e pattern ecologici siano oggi alterati dall'azione umana.

The Biodiversity & Global Change Lab (BGC), led by Moreno Di Marco at the Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin” of Sapienza University of Rome, focuses on understanding how global environmental changes affect biodiversity and human well-being. The lab’s research explores the impacts of global drivers such as climate change, land-use alteration, and human pressure on ecosystems, aiming to develop effective strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss and promote sustainability.

The Integrative Systematics Lab investigates insect diversity through a combination of traditional and modern approaches. Our research spans from morphology-based taxonomy and DNA-taxonomy, supported by digital imaging and machine learning tools, to phylogenetic and genomic studies addressing evolutionary relationships and diversification patterns. Biodiversity assessment projects are integrated with studies in functional ecology, linking species diversity and traits to ecosystem processes and conservation priorities.