Biophysics
The Biophysics group studies biological phenomena in their variety and complexity by integrating physical and biological extraction instruments and methodologies. Their approach is translational and multidisciplinary, spanning from the atomic scale to the whole organism, with the aim of advancing biomedical research in synergy with collaborators from various fields: chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, doctors, and engineers.
Staff
Full Professors: Fabio Mammano
Associate Professors: Mario Bortolozzi
Assistant Professorsi: Filippo Pisano, Annamaria Zaltron
Post-doc
Rafael Balada, Erva Bayraktar, Ana Gabriela De Oliveira Do Rego, Diego Lopez-Pigozzi, Mariateresa Panarelli.
PhD students
Maddalena De Ros, Viola Donati, Maria Vittoria Fornaini, Saralea Marino, Barbara Rijitano
Research activities
Connexins as possible therapeutic targets for human diseases
Professor Fabio Mammano uses biophysical and optical techniques, computational methods, cellular models, and animal models to analyze the structure and function of membrane proteins called connexins, which are implicated in various human diseases, both hereditary and non-hereditary, including cancer. He is actively involved in the development of new therapeutic approaches based on photodynamic therapy, viral vectors, and monoclonal antibodies.
Contacts: Fabio Mammano
Website:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3751-1691
https://www.airc.it/ricercatori/i-nostri-ricercatori/fabio-mammano
https://www.telethon.it/cosa-facciamo/ricerca/ricercatori/fabio-mammano
Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration
Professor Mario Bortolozzi uses an approach based on electrophysiology techniques, fluorescence optical microscopy, and computational models to address questions of significant biomedical interest, particularly regarding the mechanisms of neurodegeneration dependent on genetic and environmental factors. This study primarily relies on 2D and 3D human cellular models in vitro, including patient-derived models.
Contacts: Mario Bortolozzi
Website: http://www.vimm.it/scientific-board/mario-bortolozzi/
Single-molecule experiments with optical tweezers
Dr. Annamaria Zaltron uses optical tweezer techniques to conduct force spectroscopy experiments on single biological molecules. Her research topics include protein folding, the elastic and energetic properties of DNA, and the mechanisms of interaction between enzymes and nucleic acids, with applications in pharmacology and oncology.
Contacts: Annamaria Zaltron
Website: https://www.lafsi-unipd.it/mechanical/
Optical interfaces with the central nervous system
The research activity aims at investigating and exploiting the interaction of light with the central nervous system control and monitor brain mechanisms, developing neuro-photonic tools and methods for neuroscience research and potential medical applications, using techniques such as fiber photometry, microscopy and spectroscopy, combined with micro and nano-fabrications and data analysis.
Contacts: Filippo Pisano
Utilizing Plasma at Atmospheric Pressure for Nano- and Micro-Structures
Plasma at room temperature and atmospheric pressure provides a unique environment rich in ions, electrons, electric fields, and radicals. Our research endeavors focus on harnessing these components to direct the growth of nano- and micro-structures, both on surfaces and within liquid synthesis.
This research initiative stems from the development of an innovative, internationally unparalleled system utilizing dual-frequency power supplies. While the propagation of plasmas at atmospheric pressure is typically governed by instability, our devised solution enables precise control over propagation, species generation, and plasma interaction with surfaces.
These distinctive characteristics offer avenues for synthesizing both organic and inorganic materials, even on thermally sensitive substrates. Moreover, they facilitate control over orientation and aggregation, with applications ranging from controlling the alignment of 1D or 2D materials within hydrogels to influencing the aggregation of macromolecules such as peptides. These applications span diverse fields, including water purification, hydrogen synthesis, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.
Our research encompasses several key areas:
> Investigating the controlled aggregation of macromolecules.
> Synthesizing materials with different degree of order/disorder.
Exploring surface treatments to modify chemical and morphologica
Contacts: Alessandro Patelli
