Ricerc@Sapienza

Kynurenine (kyn) and kynurenic acid (kyna) are well-defined metabolites of tryptophan catabolism collectively known as “kynurenines”, which exert regulatory functions in host-microbiome signaling, immune cell response, and neuronal excitability.

Accumulation of oxidative insults on molecular and supramolecular levels could compromise renewal potency and architecture in the aging skin.

Nowadays, there is an increasing attention for nutraceuticals and, in general, bioactive compounds naturally present in food. Indeed, the possibility of preserving human health and preventing disease (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, cancer etc.) by the intake of healthy food is attractive for both consumers and food industries. In turn, research in this field was also prompted significantly, with the aim of characterizing these bioactive compounds and ascribe to them a specific activity. The bioactive compounds can belong to several chemical classes.

The large amount of cauliflower industry waste represents an unexplored source of bioactive compounds. In this work, peptide hydrolysates from cauliflower leaves were characterized by combined bioanalytical approaches. Twelve peptide fractions were studied to evaluate unexplored biological activities by effect-based cellular bioassays. A potent inhibition of intracellular xanthine oxidase activity was observed in human vascular endothelial cells treated with one fraction, with an IC50 = 8.3 ± 0.6 μg/ml.

Within the homologous series of amphiphilic peptides AnK, both A8K and A10K self-assemble in water to form twisted-ribbon fibrils with lengths around 100 nm [1]. The structure of the fibrils can be described in terms of twisted -sheets extending in the direction of the fibril, laminated to give a constant cross section of 4 nm by 8 nm.

Mutations in CDCA7, the SNF2 family protein HELLS (LSH), or the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3b cause immunodeficiency–centro-meric instability–facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome. While it has been speculated that DNA methylation defects cause this disease, little is known about the molecular function of CDCA7 and its functional relationship to HELLS and DNMT3b.

In recent years, the multi-drug resistance of bacteria and fungi strains has become a worldwide problem. The incidence of fungal and bacterial infections is experiencing a serious growth and the microorganisms have developed several new mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute one of the well-known barrier defense systems of plants. They have been isolated from roots, seeds, flowers, stems and leaves of a wide variety of species and have activities towards phytopathogens, as well as against human pathogens.

The aim of this study is to prompt the recovery of industrial byproducts through the production of new functional foods; it takes advantage from new throughput technologies with low environmental impact and high economic sustainability. In the field of fish processing, in order to recover the worthy protein-rich fish waste, residues from the production of Anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) have been converted into hydrolysate through

Injectable biopolymer hydrogels have gained attention for use as scaffolds to promote cardiac function and prevent negative left ventricular (LV) remodeling post-myocardial infarction (MI). However, most hydrogels tested in preclinical studies are not candidates for minimally invasive catheter delivery due to excess material viscosity, rapid gelation times, and/or concerns regarding hemocompatibility and potential for embolism.