The Functional Genetics and Mitochondrial Metabolism of Solid Tumours Group is a multidisciplinary team that combines expertise in genetics, biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology to study the role of mitochondria and their DNA in the progression of solid neoplasms, with a particular focus on ovarian cancer, in collaboration with the gynaecological cancer surgery, physical chemistry and plasma engineering groups.
The research activities focus on the analysis of the molecular mechanisms contributing to the onset of indolent tumour phenotypes, with a non-conventional approach that stems from the Group's previous studies on the modifying role of mitochondrial mutations and the lack of Complex I in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The results obtained led to the definition of oncogene as a gene that, when mutated, reduces tumour progression. Furthermore, these results led to the development of lines of research concerning the use of Complex I inhibitors as adjuvants in therapeutic protocols.
Through studies on animal models and on 3D human models in bioreactors and using techniques ranging from molecular genetics to biochemistry, from cell biology to mass spectrometry, the group is focused on identifying adaptive mechanisms, both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous, following treatment with conventional chemotherapeutics at various stages of tumorigenesis. In particular, hypoxia response, metabolic adaptation, tumour neo-angiogenesis and tumour-microenvironment cross-talk are the main topics of interest of the group.
Full Professor
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology
+39 051 20 9 1282
Full Professor
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - via Massarenti 11, Bologna
+39 051 20 9 4747
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, via Belmeloro 6, Bologna
+39 051 20 9 4038
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, via Belmeloro 6, Bologna
+39 051 20 9 4045
Fixed-term Researcher b) (senior)
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - via Massarenti 9, Bologna
+39 051 2088420
Fixed-term researcher a) (junior)
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - via Massarenti 9, Bologna
+39 051 2088418
Research fellow
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, via Selmi 3, Bologna
Research fellow
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - via Massarenti 9, Bologna
Research fellow
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, via Selmi 3, Bologna
Research fellow
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, via Selmi 3, Bologna
+39 051 20 9 4038
Fellow researcher
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, via Selmi 3, Bologna
PhD Student
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, via Belmeloro 6, Bologna
PhD student
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - via Massarenti 9, Bologna
PhD Student
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - via Massarenti 9, Bologna
PhD Student
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, via Zamboni 33, Bologna
PhD Student
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, Bologna
PhD Student
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, Bologna
+390512094722
+39 051 2088416