RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases through the structural and functional characterization of disease-related proteins. By combining structural biology, computational methods, and protein biochemistry, I study key processes involved in cancer, neurodegeneration, viral infections, and rare diseases, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic strategies.
In parallel, I am involved in enzyme engineering and sustainable biocatalysis studies, developing and optimizing biocatalysts for environmentally friendly applications in synthesis and pharmaceuticals.
Alongside research, I am actively involved in teaching and training activities, mentoring undergraduate, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers, and serving on the PhD program faculty. I also participate in science communication and public engagement initiatives through conferences, scientific exhibitions, and outreach activities aimed at increasing awareness of biomedical research and its impact on society
SCIENTIFIC CAREER
I obtained my degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Between 2000 and 2003, I worked in both academic and industrial research environments, collaborating with Società Prodotti Antibiotici at the University of Florence and participating in the National Program of Oncology Research, where I also gained early experience in pharmaceutical research at Alfa Wassermann (Bologna).
From 2003 to 2005, I was a scientist at SienaBiotech S.p.A. (Siena), working on Alzheimer’s disease and structure-based drug discovery programs.
Since June 2005, I have been a research scientist at the Institute of Biophysics of the National Research Council (CNR-IBF) in Milan, where I currently lead a research group focused on structural biology and molecular mechanisms of human diseases. Since 2018, I have also served as Head of the Milan Unit of CNR-IBF.
My scientific career has been enriched by collaborations and research experiences in several leading European laboratories, including Université Paris-Sud and the SOLEIL Synchrotron (P. Vachette lab, Paris), the Structural Biology Unit at EMBL Hamburg, the Molecular Virology laboratory at Leiden University Medical Center (E. Snijder lab), and as a visiting scientist at the Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques laboratory in Marseille (B. Canard lab).
PROJECTS
- Structural Virology and Antiviral Drug Discovery
- Structural Basis of Cancer Signaling Networks and Therapeutic Targeting
- Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Green Biocatalysis for Sustainable Pharmaceutical Synthesis
FUNDINGS
- Principal Investigator / Unit Leader
Regione Lombardia (2025–2027) – “BRAVE” Enzyme engineering for sustainable biocatalysis. CNR-IBF Unit Leader.
PRIN MUR (2023–2026) – “S.T.I.T.CH”. Structural TRAF2 Interactions and Therapeutic Chances in Cancer. CNR-IBF Unit Leader.
PNRR PE13 “INF-ACT” (2022–2026). Infectious disease research and antiviral strategies. CNR-IBF Unit Leader.
PNRR Infrastructure “EBRAINS-ITALY” (2022–2026) Neurodegenerative diseases and research infrastructures. CNR-IBFb Unit Leader.
AIRC-MFAG (2016–2020) Cancer research project. PI.
SIR-MIUR (2015–2018) Structural virology and antiviral drug discovery. PI. - Team Member
FOE “INV-ACT” (2023–2025) – Neurodegenerative diseases
ARISLA (2020–2023) – ALS therapeutic strategies
Telethon (2017–2021) – Rare diseases
FIRB-MIUR (2014–2017) – Virology
FP7 “SILVER” (2010–2014) – Viral diseases
FP6 “VIZIER” (2005–2009) – Structural virology