Ricerc@Sapienza

Throughout my career, I have supervised and mentored graduate students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers. My research activity is dedicated to translational medicine, with a primary focus on oncology and regenerative medicine. Over the last 12 years, I have concentrated my efforts on molecular targeted therapies for solid tumors. My research has significantly contributed to understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms of therapy resistance, aiming to identify novel combinatorial therapeutic protocols tailored to the molecular profiles of patients.

My investigations have included studies on rhabdomyosarcoma and ovarian cancer, focusing on the role of epigenetic modifications and microRNAs in cancer pathogenesis. My work has led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and pharmacological approaches involving selected drugs and inhibitors to optimize therapeutic protocols through targeted therapy and differentiation-based treatments. One of my key contributions has been elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying rhabdomyosarcoma, one of the most treatment-resistant childhood tumors. I was the first to demonstrate that DNMT3B, an enzyme responsible for gene silencing, is highly upregulated in rhabdomyosarcoma biopsies. My research showed that DNMT3B knockdown reduces tumor growth, motility, and metastatic potential, opening promising avenues for therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring DNMT3B’s normal function.

In the field of regenerative medicine, I am deeply involved in studies on bone regeneration using adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and biomimetic scaffolds, with the goal of enhancing osteogenic differentiation through the modulation of epigenetic regulators and the use of bioactive compounds. These studies aim to develop advanced strategies for tissue engineering and regenerative therapies that bridge basic science and clinical application.

My group employs advanced molecular techniques, including Next-Generation Sequencing, Digital PCR, and Nanostring nCounter, to analyze the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular mechanisms driving solid tumor progression and resistance to therapy as well as the effects of nano/microplastics on human cells. I have extensive expertise in mammalian cell culture, working with primary cells, adult stem cells, and a diverse range of cell lines. Recently, I have been pioneering research on 3D cell cultures and organoids, through the BIOX6 3D Bioprinting platform, as functional models that more accurately replicate tumor biology and its microenvironment as well as the use of ASCs in the field of osteogenic regeneration, myocardial infarction and inflammatory bowel diseases.

I actively collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to develop effective anticancer therapies, including partnerships with Galapagos NV Pharma and Evgen Pharma PLC. I also maintain active collaborations with esteemed researchers, including Prof. Roberto Rizzi, Prof. Francesco Marampon, Prof. Irene Bozzoni, and Prof. Giorgia Perniola at Sapienza University of Rome; Dr. Rossella Rota at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome; Prof. Alessandro Fanzani at the University of Brescia; Dr. Claudia Bearzi at the CNR of Milan; Dr. Barbara Cortese at the CNR of Rome; Prof. Barry Pizer at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool, UK.