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University of Palermo
The University of Palermo (UniPA) is a public university located in Palermo, Sicily, Italy. Founded in 1806, it is one of Italy’s long-established higher education institutions and an important centre for education, research and innovation in the Mediterranean area. UniPA is a multidisciplinary institution covering a broad range of scientific fields, including life sciences, biotechnology, agricultural and food sciences, and environmental sciences. The university maintains strong collaborations with public authorities, research organisations, industry and agricultural stakeholders at regional, national and international levels, actively participating in European research and innovation programmes.
The UniPA team participating in SALSA brings together researchers from two departments with complementary expertise. The Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF) contributes expertise in biochemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, comparative anatomy and toxicology, while the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences (SAAF) provides expertise in agricultural and food microbiology, entomology and plant protection. This interdisciplinary combination enables the team to address different aspects of the project, from the development and characterization of bioactive ingredients derived from tomato agro-food by-products to the assessment of their effects on human health and the environment. The team can also benefit from the facilities of the ATeN Center, a multidisciplinary research infrastructure of the University of Palermo providing advanced platforms for molecular and cellular studies, omics analyses and analytical characterization.
Prof. Carla Gentile (PhD)
Prof. Carla Gentile (PhD)
Carla Gentile is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo (Italy). Her research focuses on the biochemical and biological characterization of phytochemicals and plant-derived extracts, with particular interest in the valorization of agro-food by-products as sources of bioactive compounds. Her expertise includes redox biology, cellular antioxidant responses, and inflammatory signaling. Prof. Gentile has extensive experience in national and international research projects, including scientific coordination roles, in the fields of plant bioactive compounds, agro-food by-product valorization, and their potential applications in human health and sustainable food systems.
The UniPA Team
Prof. Carla Gentile (Team Leader&WP Leader)
Prof. Gabriella Schiera
Gabriella Schiera is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo (Italy). Her research focuses on cell and molecular biology, with particular expertise in neurobiology, extracellular vesicles, and blood–brain barrier physiology. She has extensive experience in the development of 2D and 3D cellular models and in the study of molecular mechanisms involved in cellular responses under physiological and pathological conditions. Within the SALSA project, her expertise will contribute to the assessment of the biological effects of the developed formulations using cellular and molecular approaches.
Prof. Paola Poma
Paola Poma is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo (Italy). Her research focuses on the antitumor activity of natural and synthetic compounds and on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression and drug resistance. Her expertise includes cell viability and cell death assays, cancer molecular biology, extracellular vesicles, and the development of 2D and 3D experimental models. Within the SALSA project, her expertise will contribute to the evaluation of the biological effects and safety of the developed formulations in human cellular models.
Prof. Roberto Chiarelli
Roberto Chiarelli is an Associate Professor of Comparative Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Developmental Biology at the Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo (Italy). His research focuses on embryo-cytotoxicity and environmental toxicology, using sea urchin embryos as experimental models to investigate the biological effects of environmental contaminants. His expertise includes the assessment of cytotoxicity, developmental toxicity, cellular stress responses, and mechanisms of cell death. Within the SALSA project, he will contribute to Environmental Risk Assessment by evaluating the potential effects of the developed formulations on non-target organisms.
Prof. Ezio Peri
Ezio Peri is a full professor of Agricultural Entomology (AGRI-05/A) at the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo. His principal research interests focus on the biology, ecology, and control of phytophagous and xylophagous insects and stored-product pests. His expertise includes the role of semiochemicals in plant-insect herbivore-parasitoid interactions in multitrophic contexts and the development of sustainable strategies for controlling herbivorous and stored-product pests. Within the SALSA project, he will help evaluate the lethal and sublethal effects of biobased formulations on beneficial insects.
Prof. Luca Settanni
Prof. Luca Settanni is Full Professor of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Microbiology at the University of Palermo (Italy). His research focuses on food and agricultural microbiology, particularly lactic acid bacteria, microbial ecology, and biotechnological applications in fermented foods. His work mainly covers dairy science and sourdough technology, along with wine, table olives, and functional foods. Previously Associate Professor and Researcher at the same university, he has also conducted research at Fondazione Edmund Mach and the Universities of Teramo and Perugia, with international experience in Ireland. Within SALSA project, his expertise will be focused on agricultural microbiology aspects.
Other team members
Dr. Graziella Serio
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