Recent research interests are focused on the control of nucleotide sensing and metabolism. The group studies various processes in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including biofilm formation, host-pathogen interactions and metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells. These processes are investigated in hypoxia and normoxia, to unravel the contribution of oxygen and other gaseous molecules to cellular behavior. A multidisciplinary approach encompassing Molecular and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Structural Biology is employed. Latest advancements move one step ahead, trying to couple basic research to translational studies, in order to identify inhibitors of selected protein targets.
The current major research interests are in the field of metabolic reprogramming in cancer and other pathological states. We are studying one-carbon metabolism, a complex network of reactions yielding nucleotides, NADPH and methyl groups. Several papers have been published in this area on serine metabolism and on the role and inhibition of human serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), the key enzyme controlling metabolites fluxes in one carbon metabolism. Recent results include the riboregulation of metabolic enzymes activity to be exploited to control cellular metabolism, aiming at designing RNA-based inhibitors (see also 2024 PRESS RELEASE).
RECENT GRANTS (SELECTION last 10 years)
2023-2025: PRIN 2022 - MUR Italy
2022-2025: Progetto CN3- Centro Nazionale RNA PNRR
2021-2023: Regional Funding from Regione Lazio Project "APTASER" FESR Fondo Europeo di Sviluppo Regionale Project Abstract
2021-2025: Horizon-2020 European Infrastructures Project "Molecular Scale Biophysics Research Infrastructure", MOSBRI Project website
2021-2024: Ministero Salute Finalizzata 2019 - PI Unità Operativa Sapienza
2021: Banca d'Italia- research support for excellent projects
2020-24 Investigator Grant, AIRC (Assoc. Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro)
2019: Joint Project "Molecular Biophysics in Europe Research Infrastructure", MRSEI-ANR.
2016-2018: Investigator Grant, AIRC (Assoc. Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro)
2015-2017: Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti.
Patents
WO1997035011A1 Recombinant process for the production in pseudomonas putida of the cytochrome c551 of pseudomonas aeruginosa