Dipartimento di Chirurgia

VALDONI-LAB

The Valdoni-Lab is located in the Castro Laurenziano complex (via Antonio Scarpa, 14-16; building 39, building RM008). The research activity, which reflects the different missions of our Department, is aimed at the study of oncological surgical pathologies, pathologies pertaining to emergency surgery and trauma, and vascular surgical pathologies. In this laboratory also belong Professors of other Departments who carry out their research activity on neoplastic pathologies of the lung, melanoma, neurodegenerative pathologies and spatial biomedicine. The laboratory is made up of numerous research rooms, a meeting room and a management room. The premises are used indifferently both by the personnel of the Surgery Department and by personnel belonging to other Departments. Dr. Rosaria Cavallaro is part of the staff belonging to the Department of Surgery and is permanently present in the Laboratory coordinating the scientific and research activities of the Department of Surgery. In particular, it deals with the study of the metabolic and molecular mechanisms mainly involved in neurodegenerative pathologies, with the development of analytical biochemical methods also suitable for studying the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of some natural substances, in vitro and in vivo, and evaluating their effect on neuro-degeneration (on cell cultures and on animal models) and cellular models of some tumors. In particular, the processes related to "one-carbon metabolism" and oxidative stress are studied, paying attention to the connection with epigenetic processes, which are also useful for highlighting new possible biomarkers and therapeutic approaches.

The laboratory also hosts Prof. Andrea Fuso belonging to the Department of Experimental Medicine with his research group made up of doctoral and graduate students. The group carries out research activities in the field of epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation and the role of microRNAs. A part of the research concerns the study of the biochemical and biomolecular mechanisms that regulate these epigenetic factors, with particular attention to the dynamics of CpG and non-CpG methylation and demethylation, through the use of substances capable of modulating the metabolism of methylation. At the application level, the effects of epigenetic modulation are mainly studied in cellular and mouse models and in autoptic findings of neurodegeneration, in order to verify the role of these factors in the onset and development of neurodegenerative pathologies and to identify any epigenetic traits that may work from biomarkers. The epigenetic study is also carried out in models of neurological, tumoral and respiratory diseases (cystic fibrosis) thanks to various scientific collaborations with researchers from Sapienza and other Italian and foreign universities.

Furthermore, Prof. Mariano Bizzarri belonging to the Department of Experimental Medicine is hosted with his team made up of doctoral students and theses. The group carries out research activity articulated on the following topics: 1) Interaction between cells and microenvironment during the processes of differentiation and neoplastic transformation. In particular, the three-dimensional models characterized by phenotypic transition and how this can be modulated to favor tumor reversion are studied. These studies have led to the achievement of a patent and another one is currently being perfected. 2) Modulation of steroidogenesis with inositol and derived metabolites. The study focuses on the epigenetic and enzymatic modulation of some critical steps of steroidogenesis and has made it possible to develop a therapy protocol for polycystic ovary syndrome. The ability of inositol to modulate the activity of aromatase has also been highlighted. Studies are underway for the creation of 3D models of the theca/granulosa complex and of the endometrium. 3) Space biomedicine. The entire group has acquired - for many years - a role of national pre-eminence for studies conducted in microgravity. He has a Random positioning machine - through which he carries out experiments in microgravity - and has participated/is participating in space missions on the International Space Station. The main focus is on functional behavior, morphological characterization and gene/protein expression during microgravity. A patent on space applications has just been obtained. 4) Clinical analytical chemistry studies are underway for the evaluation of new analytes and the construction of sensors for the evaluation – on blood/saliva – of markers of interest. These studies have already allowed the creation of a sensor for the diagnosis of lung tumors and are currently aimed at use in space.

Prof. Rita Mancini belonging to the Department of Medicine Clinical and Molecular is also hosted with its team composed of Drs. Claudia De Vitis, Sara Bruschini and Francesca Ascenzi, together with PhD students and students. The laboratory coordinated by Prof. Mancini focuses its scientific research program on two main areas: - the study of cancer stem cells in lung adenocarcinoma (Lung Group) - the study of mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies in metastatic melanoma (Melanoma Group) In the first case, cell cultures obtained from pleural effusions of patients affected by lung adenocarcinoma, subsequently enriched in vitro in stem cells, are used as a study model. This biological system is used to define the molecular mechanisms underlying the intrinsic resistance of neoplastic stem cells to oncological therapies, with particular attention to the role of lipid metabolism. In the second area of research, the role of microRNAs in resistance to targeted therapies is mainly investigated. The hypothesis is that melanoma, in order to become resistant, must evolve by getting rid of certain microRNAs and enriching itself with others; therefore restoring microRNAs to normal levels would allow resistant melanoma cells to regain sensitivity to drugs. Furthermore, microRNAs produced by cancer cells can be detected in human blood as liquid biopsy biomarkers in a simple and cost-effective manner. In both project areas, in vitro and/or in vivo models are developed for the functional validation of possible new diagnostic and predictive tools.

Typology

Biochemist, Cell cultures, Use of animals, Use of samples from animals

Activity

Education : 30%

Research : 70%

Services : 0%

Regolamento del laboratorio:

REG_LABORATORI_DidatticaRicerca_DMM2021approvato.pdf