Researchers and technologists

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

Margherita Gavagnin Capoggiani received her doctoral degree in organic chemistry in 1983 from University of Naples. After spending a postdoctoral year at the Institute of Organic Chemistry of Naples, in 1985 she moved, as researcher of the Italian National Council of Research, to the Institute of Chemistry of Molecules of Biological Interest (ICMIB), now ICB, where she has been First Researcher (2001-2006) and subsequently Research Director (from 2006 up to now).
The scientific activity during her entire career has been mainly oriented to the structure elucidation of new natural products from marine invertebrates, in particular heterobranch molluscs. In recent years, the research interest has been mainly focused to the discovery of new antitumor molecules from molluscs, sponges and marine plants and to the investigation of terrestrial plants used In traditional medicine from desert regions of North Africa.
She has been in charge of research project management in CNR, responsible of several national research projects and bilateral co-operation programmes, and coordinator of the EU project, FP7-People-2013 Intra-European-Fellowship “Chimica Marina a Napoli” (2014-2016). She has been member of Scientific Council of ICMIB (1993-2001) and member of ICB Committee (2009-2015). From 2017 she is member of the steering committee of the Bachelor’s degree course in chemistry of University of Naples.

Skills

Isolation and structural characterization of small natural organic molecules

Marine chemical ecology

Mechanisms of chemical communication in marine benthic invertebrates


Spectroscopic analysis

NMR

Publications

1. M. Carbone, Y. Li, C. Irace, E. Mollo, F. Castelluccio, A. Di Pascale, G. Cimino, R. Santamaria, Y.-W. Guo and M. Gavagnin. Structure and cytotoxicity of phidianidines A and B: first finding of 1,2,4-oxadiazole system in a marine natural product. Org. Lett., 13, 2516-2519, 2011.
   doi: 10.1021/ol200234r.
2.  J.-R. Wang, M. Carbone, M. Gavagnin, A. Mándi, S. Antus, L.-G. Yao, G. Cimino, T. Kurtán and Y.-W. Guo. Assignment of absolute configuration of bis-γ-pyrone polypropionates from marine pulmonate molluscs. Eur. J. Org. Chem., 1107-1111, 2012.
   doi:10.1002/ejoc.201101587.
3. M. Boumaraf, M. Carbone, M. L. Ciavatta, S. Benyahia, S. Ameddah, A. Menad, S. Benayache, F. Benayache and M. Gavagnin. Exploring the bioactive terpenoid content of an Algerian plant of genus Pulicaria: the ent-series of asteriscunolides. J. Nat. Prod., 80, 82–89, 2017. — doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00717.
4. M. Carbone, M. L. Ciavatta, V. Mathieu, A. Ingels, R. Kiss, P. Pascale, E. Mollo, N. Ungur, Y.-W. Guo, and M. Gavagnin. Marine terpenoid diacylguanidines: structure, synthesis and biological evaluation of naturally occurring actinofide and synthetic analogs. J. Nat. Prod., 80, 1339–1346, 2017.
   doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00941.
5. S. Kebbi, M.L. Ciavatta, A.M. Mahmoud, M. Carbone, A. Ligresti, R. Seghiri, and M. Gavagnin.
   Sesquiterpene lactones with the 12,8-guaianolide skeleton from Algerian Centaurea omphalotricha. Biomolecules, 11, e1053, 2021.
   doi:10.3390/biom11071053.

Contacts

  MAIN RESEARCH SITE, POZZUOLI (NA)

   margherita.gavagnincapoggiani@cnr.it

   PEC:gavagnin59@pec.it

   (+39) 081867 5094

ORCID: 0000-0002-9532-4555

Researcher-id B-4584-2012

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

• 1995 Degree in Chemistry at the University of Salerno. Vote 110/110 cum laude.

• Qualification to practice as a freelance chemist ( 1995).

• 1999: PhD in Chemistry at the University of Salerno with the thesis “Structural and synthetic studies on janulosimide, a marine peptidic toxin”.

• 1/11/1999 – 31/10/2001 Post-doctoral research fellowship position on: “Synthesis of biologically active natural producs” at the Department of Organic Chemistry-University of Salerno.

• 27/12/2001 to date: researcher at the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB) of the Italian National Research Council (CNR), Pozzuoli (NA), Italy

• 10/2006-03/2007 Visiting Researcher at the Division of Molecular Biosciences- Faculty of Natural Sciences- Imperial College London (UK) in the laboratory of prof. Ann Dell

• Qualification as Associate Professor in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical, Toxicological and Nutraceutical Technologies (2014)

Skills

Organic synthesis


Drug discovery

Anticancer agents

Anti-inflammatory drugs,

Biocatalysis

Publications

1. Identification and Development of BRD9 Chemical Probes.
   Colarusso E.; Chini M.G; Bifulco G.; Lauro G.; Giordano A.
   Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17, 392. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17030392
2. Identification of the 2-benzoxazol-2-yl-phenol scaffold as new hit for JMJD3 inhibition.
   Giordano A., Forte G., Terracciano S., Russo A., Sala M., Scala M. C., Johansson C., Oppermann U., Riccio, R., Bruno I., Di Micco S.
   ACS Med Chem Lett 2019, 10, 601-605. DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00589
3. Discovery of new erbB4 inhibitors: repositioning an orphan chemical library by inverse virtual screening.
   Giordano A., Forte G., Massimo L., Riccio R., Bifulco G., Di Micco S.
   Eur J Med Chem 2018, 152, 253-263. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.04.018
4. Abu-Qarn; Y. Sophie; A. Giordano; A. Trauner; H.R. Morris; P. Hitchen; O. Medalia; A. Dell; J. Eichler. Haloferax volcanii AglB and AglD are involved in N-glycosylation of the S-layer glycoprotein and proper assembly of the surface layer. Journal of Molecular Biology 2007, 374, 1224-1236. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2007.10.042
5. Giordano A., Vella F.M., Romano I., Gambacorta A. Structural elucidation of a novel phosphoglycolipid isolated from six species of Halomonas genus. J. Lip. Res. 2007, 48 (8), 1825-1831. DOI: 10.1194/jlr.M700152-JLR200.

Contacts

   MAIN RESEARCH SITE, POZZUOLI (NA)

   assunta.giordano@cnr.it

   agiordano@icmib.na.cnr.it

  (+39) 0818675309

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8139-407X

Author ID: 35617957500

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

Daniela Giunta was born in Sassari in 1975. Daniela got her Chemistry degree in 2000 at the University of Sassari (110/110). Working since November 2000 in Germany, at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim/Ruhr first and at the ITMC in Aachen successively, she got her PhD in 2004.

Successively she moves to the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, where she works as postdoctoral fellow till December 2006.

Back in Italy, till February 2009, she works as principal investigator of a research project founded by the Sardinian Autonomous Region (Master and Back Program) at the ICB UOS Sassari.

Successively she moves to Porto Conte Ricerche (Alghero, Sassari) where, within three years, she works as research fellow (European Grant WHETLAC) and as principal investigator of a research project funded by the Sardinian Autonomous Region (L. R. 7 for young researchers).

Till 2017 Daniela Giunta works as researcher at the ICB UOS Sassari (project n. 25257 funded by RAS and BIT3G project, Cluster Green Chemistry).

Since November 2018 Daniela Giunta holds a permanent position as researcher at the Institute for Biomolecular Chemistry (National Research Council of Italy) in Sassari.

Skills

Organicsynthesis


Organometallic chemistry


Catalysis


Medicinal chemistry


Green chemistry

Publications

Giunta, D., Arras, A., Peluso, P., Solinas, M.

Synthesis of “Click BOX” ligands and preliminary results on their application in the asymmetric copper catalysed Henry reaction of o-methoxybenzaldehyde. Results in Chemistry, 2021, 3, 100-122.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2021.100122

Giunta, D., Sechi, B., Solinas, M.

Novozym-435 as efficient catalyst for the synthesis of benzoic and (hetero)aromatic carboxylic acid esters. Tetrahedron, 2015, 71, 18, 2692-2697.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2015.03.036

Mugnaini, C., Pedani, V., Giunta, D., Sechi, B., Solinas, M., Casti, A., Castelli, M.P., Giorgi, G., Corelli, F.

Synthesis, structural properties, and pharmacological evaluation of 2-(acylamino)thiophene-3-carboxamides and analogues thereof (2014) RSC Advances, 2014, 4, 4, 1782-1793.

https://doi.org/10.1039/C3RA45546G

Mugnaini, C., Pedani, V., Casu, A., Lobina, C., Casti, A., MacCioni, P., Porcu, A., Giunta, D., Lamponi, S., Solinas, M., Dragoni, S., Valoti, M., Colombo, G., Castelli, M.P., Gessa, G.L., Corelli, F.

Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of 2-(acylamino)thiophene derivatives as metabolically stable, orally effective, positive allosteric modulators of the GABAB receptor. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2013, 56, 9, 3620-3635.

https://doi.org/10.1021/jm400144w

Giunta, D., Solinas, M.

Beneficial combination of ionic liquids and carbon dioxide in transition metal catalysed reactions. Current Organic Chemistry, 2009, 13, 13, 1300-1321.

https://doi.org/10.2174/138527209789055162

Contacts

  RESEARCH SITE OF SASSARI

   daniela.giunta@cnr.it

  (+39) 079 2841208

   PEC: daniela.giunta@pec.it

   (+39) 079 2841208

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5042-3525

Scopus AuthorID: 6602213324

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences on 04/03/2005 at the University of Catania.

Degree in Chemistry (specialization in Biomolecular Chemistry) on 07/12/2000 at the University of Catania.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

• May 2014 – currently Researcher at C.N.R. – Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry – branch of Catania (Permanent Researcher since 30 November 2018).

His research is mainly focused on the field of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry and Supramolecular Chemistry:

• Design and preparation of calixarene derivatives, their characterization and molecular properties, study of their assembling and biomolecular recognition capabilities.

• Design and preparation of biocompatible and amphiphilic constructs based on calixarene macrocycles, development of physico-chemical protocols for the aggregation of these constructs in nanostructured systems (such as drug nanocontainers, nanocarriers, etc.) and characterization of the nanosystems (size, Z potential, drug loading, etc.).

And in the Agri-Food sector:

• Realization and characterization of nanostructured systems (biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles) containing active ingredients of nutritional and biological interest.

• Analytical studies, such as the determination of antioxidant activity, total amount of polyphenols, and individual components.

Skills

Supramolecular Chemistry


Calixarene derivatives


Bioorganic Chemistry


Organic Synthesis


Nano-aggregates


Nanocarriers


Drug Loading


Biocompatible and eco-friendly Nanocapsules


Antioxidant Activity


Food Chemistry

Publications

1. G. Granata, S. Petralia, G. Forte, S. Conoci, G. M. L. Consoli. “Injectable supramolecular nanohydrogel from a micellar self-assembling calix[4]arene derivative and curcumin for a sustained drug release”. Materials Science and Engineering C, 2020, 111, 110842.

2. G. Granata, S. Stracquadanio, M. Leonardi, E. Napoli, G. M. L. Consoli, V. Cafiso, S. Stefani, C. Geraci “Essential oils encapsulated in polymer–based nanocapsules as potential candidates for application in food preservation”. Food Chemistry 2018, 269, 286–292.

3. G. Granata, G. M. L. Consoli, R. Lo Nigro, C. Geraci. “Hydroxycinnamic acids loaded in lipid-core nanocapsules”. Food Chemistry 2018, 245, 551–556.

4. G. Granata, I. Paterniti, C. Geraci, F. Cunsolo, E. Esposito, M. Cordaro, A. R. Blanco, S. Cuzzocrea, G. M. L. Consoli. “Potential eye drop based on a calix[4]arene nanoassembly for curcumin delivery: enhanced drug solubility, stability, and antiinflammatory effect”. Mol. Pharmaceutics 2017, 14, 1610−1622.

5. G. M. L. Consoli, G. Granata, G. Fragassi, M. Grossi, M. Sallese, C. Geraci. “Design and synthesis of a multivalent fluorescent folate-calix[4]arene conjugate: cancer cell penetration and intracellular localization”. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2015, 13, 3298–3307.

Contacts

   RESEARCH SITE OF CATANIA

   giuseppe.granata@cnr.it

   PEC: giuseppe.granata-8271@pec.it

  (+39) 0957338325

Orcid ID: 0000-0001-9428-3985
Researcher ID: C-6093-2015

Scopus Webofscience Scholar View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

Claudia Honisch received her master’s degree in Pharmacy at the University of Padua on March 7th 2016, with an experimental thesis carried out as part of the Erasmus Project at Universität Regensburg (DE) entitled “Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of cabamoylguanidine-type histamine H2 receptor agonists “under the supervision of Prof. Armin Buschauer. In June 2016 she obtained the Qualification to Practice the Profession of Pharmacist. In September 2016 she started a scholarship at ICB-CNR Padua research site aimed at the “Characterization of thermal muds” of the Euganean thermal district. In October 2017 she started the PhD course in Molecular Sciences, curriculum Chemical Sciences, at the Chemistry Department of the University of Padua working on a project entitled “Aggregating proteins and their interaction with chemical chaperones” under the supervision of Prof. Paolo Ruzza (ICB-CNR). This work, which involved a close collaboration with the Diamond Light Source Ltd synchrotron facility (Didcot, U.K.) Beamline B23 for Circular Dichroism, was defended on March 24th 2021 in front of an international commission with the achievement of the title of Doctor Europaeus. Since September 2019 she holds a Research Grant within the AdriAquaNet Project, which is part of the EU Interreg V Italy-Croatia 2014-2020 Program. Within this context, the research activity has focused on the identification, synthesis and purification of peptide sequences with antimicrobial activity (antimicrobial peptides, AMPs) which allow to avoid the emergence of resistance to traditional antibiotics.

Skills

• peptide synthesis and characterisation
• conformational characterisation of peptides and proteins
• interaction of small molecules with peptides or proteins
• circular dichroism
• synchrotron radiation circular dichroism

Publications

• Honisch C, Osto A, Dupay A, Vincenzi S, Ruzza P, Isolation of a tyrosinase inhibitor from Verjuice: a spectrophotometric study, Food Chemistry (2019) 305, 125506 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125506
• Honisch C, Donadello V, Hussain R, Peterle D, De Filippis V, Arrigoni G, Gatto C, Giurgola L, Siligardi G and Ruzza P, Application of circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies to assess photo-stability of water-soluble porcine lens proteins, ACS Omega (2020) 5(8), 4293-4301, doi: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.9b04234
• Honisch C, Hussain R, Siligardi G, Ruzza P, Influence of small molecules on the photo‐stability of water soluble porcine lens proteins. Chirality (2020) 1– 8. https://doi.org/10.1002/chir.23210
• Ruzza P, Honisch C, Hussain R, Siligardi G, Free radicals and ROS induce protein denaturation by UV photostability assay. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021) 22, 6512. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126512
• Honisch C, Ragazzi E, Hussain R, Brazier J, Siligardi G, Ruzza P. Interaction of a Short Peptide with G-Quadruplex-Forming Sequences: An SRCD and CD Study. Pharmaceutics (2021) 13(8):1104. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081104.

Contacts

  RESEARCH SITE OF CATANIA

   claudia.honisch@cnr.it

   049 8275246

ORCID: 0000-0001-9720-6176

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

Dr Fabio Arturo Iannotti received his Bachelor Degree in Biotechnology Science (Medical curricula) at the University of Naples “Federico II” in 2006 (with 110/110 cum laude). In 2010, Dr Iannotti graduated with a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Naples “Federico II”. The focus of his thesis was on the role of voltage-gated potassium channels Kv7 during neuronal excitotoxicity as well as skeletal muscle cell differentiation. During this time he also researched at the University of California-Davis assessing changes to the phosphorylation state of potassium channels in in vivo models of epilepsy. In 2011, he started his postdoc at the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB)/ National Council of Research (CNR) and during this period he also visited the University of Reading, researching the potential involvement of TRP channels and cannabinoids in epilepsy and muscle development. Since 2014, he was promoted to the position of research fellow at ICB. In 2018 Dr Iannotti has been qualified as Associate Professor by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology areas. Dr Iannotti published many papers on his areas of research in international peer-reviewed journals and has received awards from both national and international scientific societies for his work.

Skills

Degenerative muscle diseases


Endocannabinoid system


Endocannabinoidome

Epilepsy

Ion channels

Publications

Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy involves a defective transsulfuration pathway activity.

Panza E, Vellecco V, Iannotti FA, Paris D, Manzo OL, Smimmo M, Mitilini N, Boscaino A, de Dominicis G, Bucci M, Di Lorenzo A, Cirino G. Redox Biol. 2021 Sep;45:102040. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102040. Epub 2021 Jun 19. (I.F. 11.9)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34174560/

Effects of non-euphoric plant cannabinoids on muscle quality and performance of dystrophic mdx mice. 

Iannotti FA, Pagano E, Moriello AS, Alvino FG, Sorrentino NC, D’Orsi L, Gazzerro E, Capasso R, De Leonibus E, De Petrocellis L, Di Marzo V.Br J Pharmacol. 2019 May;176(10):1568-1584. doi: 10.1111/bph.14460. Epub 2018 Sep 9. (I.F. 8.9)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30074247/

Genetic and pharmacological regulation of the endocannabinoid CB1 receptor in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Iannotti FA, Pagano E, Guardiola O… Di Marzo V. Nat Commun. 2018 Sep 27;9(1):3950. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06267-1. (I.F. 14.92)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30262909/

Nonpsychotropic plant cannabinoids, cannabidivarin (CBDV) and cannabidiol (CBD), activate and desensitize transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels in vitro: potential for the treatment of neuronal hyperexcitability.

Iannotti FA, Hill CL, Leo A, Alhusaini A, Soubrane C, Mazzarella E, Russo E, Whalley BJ, Di Marzo V, Stephens GJ.

ACS Chem Neurosci. 2014 Nov 19;5(11):1131-41. doi: 10.1021/cn5000524. Epub 2014 Jul 29. (I.F. 4.48)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25029033/

The endocannabinoid 2-AG controls skeletal muscle cell differentiation via CB1 receptor-dependent inhibition of Kv7 channels.

Iannotti FA, Silvestri C, Mazzarella E, Martella A, Calvigioni D, Piscitelli F, Ambrosino P, Petrosino S, Czifra G, Bíró T, Harkany T, Taglialatela M, Di Marzo V.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Jun 17;111(24):E2472-81. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1406728111. Epub 2014 Jun 3. (I.F. 11.2)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24927567/

Contacts

   MAIN RESEARCH SITE, POZZUOLI (NA)

   fabioarturo.iannotti@cnr.it

  (+39) 081-8675303/5173 (Lab) – 081-8675153 (Office)

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4480-8370

Loop Frontiersin Reserchgate View curriculum Mdpi - biomolecules Mdpi - molecules

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

Dr. Daniela Lambusta graduated in Pharmacy on July 16, 1985 at the University of Catania with 110/110 cum laude. In 1989 she obtained the Specialization in Chemistry applied to hygiene at the University of Messina with a score of 50/50 and honors. The same year she won a two-year CNR/MISM scholarship which allowed her to carry out research activities at the ISSN CNR in Catania. In 1993 She won a position as a third level fixed-term researcher, competition Art. 23, which allowed her to continue research activity at the ISSN of the CNR, Valverde (Ct) until 1999. In 1997 She won a position as a third-level permanent researcher, position effectively covered from January 18, 1999 to date at the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry of the CNR, Catania.

Skills

Biocatalysis


Chiral resolution


Green chemistry


Antioxidantactivity


Lipases

Publications

• Lambusta,D.; Nicolosi, G.; Patti,A.; Sanfilippo, C. J Mol.Catal. B-Enzym, 2003, 5-6, 271-277. Application of lipase catalysis in organic solvent to realise regioprotection/deprotection of bioactive compounds.

• Righi G.; Antonioletti R.; Proietti Silvestri I.; D’Antona N.; Lambusta D.; Bovicelli P. Tetrahedron 2010, 66, 1294-1298. Convergent synthesis of mosloflavone, negletein and baicalein from crysin.

• Bovicelli P.; D’angelo V.; Collalto D.; Verzina A.; D’antona N.; Lambusta D. JPP 2007, 59, 1697-1701. Efficient synthesis of polyoxygenated flavones from naturally occurring flavanones.

• Montenegro L.; Carbone C.; Lambusta D.; Maniscalco C.; Nicolosi G.; Puglisi G. Int J Pharm 2007, 336, 257-262. In vitro evaluation of Quercetin 3-O-acyl esters as topical prodrugs.

• F.Miano,; C.P.Winloveb,; D.Lambusta,; G.Marletta. J. Coll. Interf. Sci. 2006, 269-275. Viscoelastic properties of insoluble amphiphiles at the air/water interface.

Contacts

   RESEARCH SITE OF CATANIA

   daniela.lambusta@cnr.it

   (+39) 095 7338322

Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8677-5787

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography Skills Publications Contacts

  RESEARCH SITE OF CATANIA

  laura.fioretto@cnr.it

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

I am a Biochemical Pharmacologist passionate about chemical biology and translational research. As the Research Director at the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), I lead a team developing novel cannabinoid-based therapies for onco-metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. My research focuses on designing multimodal molecules that selectively target the endocannabinoid system and understanding mitochondrial dysfunction’s role in various pathologies, particularly concerning cannabinoid receptors. I also serve as International Secretary for the International Cannabinoid Research Society and as a scientific consultant for pharmaceutical and technology companies, guiding drug development and innovation. My previous roles include being on the Supervisory Board of the H2020-MSCA-COFUND “INCIPIT” project and directing the Health Section for Obiettivo LCC. Additionally, I contribute as a member of the Panel of Evaluators for MIMIT and EU-EICPATHFINDER calls. With a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science from the University of Naples “Federico II” (2005), I completed postdoctoral training at ICB-CNR before securing a tenured track position in 2008. My career has led to promotions to Senior Researcher in 2010 and Research Director in 2023. I have received significant accolades, including habilitation as a Full Professor in Medicinal Chemistry and recognition as a CNR Highly Cited Woman Researcher in 2020 (field of chemistry). In 2024, I was named one of the world’s top 2% scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier (field of chemistry). As a co-inventor of two patents and author of over 130 scientific articles (H-index: 47), my expertise spans Biochemical Pharmacology, Chemical Biology, Cannabinoid Research, and Mitochondrial Biology. My motto, “The only limit is the one you set yourself,” reflects my insatiable curiosity and drive for new challenges.

Skills

Cannabinoids


Cancer Biology

Mitochondrial Bioenergetics

Drug-Discovery

Medicinal Chemistry

Project management

OKR Setting

Publications

1)  Di Micco S, Ciaglia T, Salviati E, Michela P, Kostrzewa M, Musella S, Schiano Moriello A, Di Sarno V, Smaldone G, Di Matteo F, Capolupo I, Infantino R, Bifulco G, Pepe G, Sommella EM, Kumar P, Basilicata MG, Allarà M, Sánchez-Fernández N, Aso E, Gomez-Monterrey IM, Campiglia P, Ostacolo C, Maione S, Ligresti A*, Bertamino A*. Novel pyrrole based CB2 agonists: New insights on CB2 receptor role in regulating neurotransmitters’ tone. Eur J Med Chem. 2024 Apr 5;269:116298. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.

2) Cerasuolo M, Maccarinelli F, Coltrini D, Mahmoud AM, Marolda V, Ghedini GC, Rezzola S, Giacomini A, Triggiani L, Kostrzewa M, Verde R, Paris D, Melck D, Presta M, Ligresti A* and Ronca R. Modeling Acquired Resistance to the Second-Generation Androgen Receptor Antagonist Enzalutamide in the TRAMP Model of Prostate Cancer. Cancer Res. 2020 Apr 1;80(7):1564-1577. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-3637.

3) Mugnaini C, Kostrzewa M, Bryk M, Mahmoud AM, Brizzi A, Lamponi S, Giorgi G, Ferlenghi F, Vacondio F, Maccioni P, Colombo G, Mor M, Starowicz K, Di Marzo V, Ligresti A* and Corelli F. Design, Synthesis, and Physicochemical and Pharmacological Profiling of 7-Hydroxy-5-oxopyrazolo[4,3- b]pyridine-6-carboxamide Derivatives with Antiosteoarthritic Activity In Vivo. J Med Chem (2020) 63(13):7369-7391. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00595.

4) Mahmoud AM, Kostrzewa M, Marolda V, Cerasuolo M, Maccarinelli F, Coltrini D, Rezzola S, Giacomini A, Mollica MP, Motta A, Paris D, Zorzano A, Di Marzo V, Ronca R*, Ligresti A*. Cannabidiol alters mitochondrial bioenergetics via VDAC1 and triggers cell death in hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Pharmacol Res. 2023 Mar;189:106683. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106683.

5)  Gianquinto E, Sodano F, Rolando B, Kostrzewa M, Allarà M, Mahmoud AM, Kumar P, Spyrakis F, Ligresti A*, Chegaev K*. N-[1,3-Dialkyl(aryl)-2-oxoimidazolidin-4-ylidene]-aryl(alkyl)sulphonamides as Novel Selective Human Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor (hCB2R) Ligands; Insights into the Mechanism of Receptor Activation/Deactivation. Molecules. 2022 Nov 23;27(23):8152. doi: 10.3390/molecules27238152.

Contacts

  MAIN RESEARCH SITE, POZZUOLI (NA)

  alessia.ligresti@cnr.it

   PEC: aligresti@pec.it

   (+39) 081-8675093

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1787-3900

Researcher ID: https://publons.com/researcher/1282296/alessia-ligresti/

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

1998 Master’s degree in Chemistry – University of Sassari (Italy).
2006 PhD Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (XVIII Cycle) – University of Genova (Italy).
1999/2002 Temporary research fellow at Neuroscienze Scarl, Pula (CA) (Italy).
2007/2011 Temporary research fellow at National Research Council (CNR), Biomedical Technologies Institute (ITB), Pula (CA) (Italy).
2011/2018 Researcher at National Research Council (CNR), Traslational Pharmacology Institute (IFT), Pula (CA) (Italy).
2012/2014 Head of NMR and Bioanalytical Technologies Platform, Pula (CA) (Italy).
2018/ongoing Researcher at National Research Council (CNR), Biomolecular Chemistry Institute (ICB), Sassari (Italy).
Teaching and tutoring:
2001/2017 Relator of several degree thesis in Pharmacy and Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Sassari (Italy).
2001/2007 Courses and seminars teacher, Department of Pharmacy, University of Sassari (Italy).
Research works:
Structure-activity relationships (SAR) study of potential antitumoral agents and analgesic compounds.
Preparation of compounds with potential biological activity. Design and synthesis of:
– central nervous system (CNS) active molecules: compounds active on opioid (μ, δ, and κ), cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2), and nicotinic receptors (α4β2);
– caspase’s inhibitors with potential application against immune and inflammatory disorders;
– “Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras” (PROTACs) as new antiviral agents.

Skills Organic synthesis
Asymmetric synthesis
Drug discovery
Structure-activity relationships (SAR)
Caspase inhibitors
Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras” (PROTACs)
Central nervous system active compounds
Opioids and cannabinoids Publications

1. F. Ulgheri, P. Spanu, F. Deligia, G. Loriga, M. P. Fuggetta, I. de Haan, A. Chandgudge, M. Groves, A. Domling. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,5-disubstituted α-amino tetrazole derivatives as non-covalent inflammasome-caspase-1 complex inhibitors with potential application against immune and inflammatory disorders. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2022, 229, 114002. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.114002
2. G. Loriga, P. Lazzari, I. Manca, S. Ruiu, M. Falzoi, G. Murineddu, M. E. H. Bottazzi, G. Pinna, G. A. Pinna. Novel diazabicycloalkane delta opioid agonists. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2015, 23(17), 5527-5538. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2015.07.036
3. G. Loriga, P. Lazzari, S. Ruiu, G. Marchese, I. Manca, G. L. Casu, C. Dessì, G. A. Pinna, B. Asproni, G. Murineddu. Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel delta () opioid receptor ligands with diazatricyclodecane skeletons. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2013, 69, 413-426. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.09.014
4. G. Murineddu, P. Lazzari, S. Ruiu, A. Sanna, G. Loriga, I. Manca, M. Falzoi, C. Dessì, M. M. Curzu, G. Chelucci, L. Pani, G. A. Pinna. Tricyclic Pyrazoles. 4. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Analogues of the Robust and Selective CB2 Cannabinoid Ligand 1-(2′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-6-methyl-N-piperidin-1-yl-1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-3-carboxamide. J. Med. Chem. 2006, 49(25), 7502-7512. doi:10.1021/jm060920
5. G. Loriga, I. Manca, G. Murineddu, G. Chelucci, S. Villa, S. Gessi, L. Toma, G. Cignarella, G. A. Pinna. Synthesis of 3,6-diazabicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes as novel ligands for the opioid receptors. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2006, 14(3), 676-691. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2005.09.045

Contacts

  RESEARCH SITE OF SASSARI

   giovanni.loriga@cnr.it

  (+39) 0792841251

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

Dr. Emiliano Manzo graduated in Chemistry (‘Organic Chemistry’) at the University of Naples “Federico II” on 19 July 1996 with a score of 110/110 cum laude. In 2001 he obtained a PhD in “Chemical Sciences” (Cycle XIII) at the University of Naples “Federico II” discussing the thesis “Interactions between carbohydrates and metal ions”. Since 2001 he was a Researcher and since January 2021 he has been Senior Researcher at the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry of the National Research Council (CNR).

Dr. Manzo’s research activity falls within the field of Organic Chemistry, Synthesis and Chemical Biology. This activity is mainly focused on the synthesis and biological and pharmacological characterization of natural and/or nature inspired small molecules and the study of the chemical-physical behavior of bioactive lipid metabolites in water. In this context, both the structural characterization and the organic chemical synthesis of compounds with potential pharmacological applications have been, are and will be an essential tool for the understanding of even complex biological systems such as in particular those concerning the cells of the immune system and in general of the immune reaction. Dr. Manzo’s research activity is guided by an investigation through chemistry which is not considered an end in itself, but a crucial means for understanding basic cellular mechanisms and inserted in interdisciplinary fields, fundamental for possible future pharmacological and therapeutics, all aimed at the identification and preparation of molecules to be proposed as new lead compounds in the pharmaceutical field.

Skills

Chemical Synthesis

>Bioactive metabolites

SAR studies

Publications

1. Emiliano Manzo,* Laura Fioretto, Carmela Gallo, Marcello Ziaco, Genoveffa Nuzzo, Giuliana D’Ippolito, Assunta Borzacchiello, Antonio Fabozzi, Raffaele De Palma, Angelo Fontana “Preparation, Supramolecular Aggregation and Immunological Activity of the Bona Fide Vaccine Adjuvant Sulfavant S” Marine Drugs (ISSN): 16603397), 2020, 18 (9), 451; doi: 10.3390/md18090451

2. Emiliano Manzo, Carmela Gallo, Rossella Sartorius, Genoveffa Nuzzo, Angela Sardo, Piergiuseppe De Berardinis, Angelo Fontana, Adele Cutignano “Immunostimulatory phosphatidylmonogalactosyldiacylglycerols (PGDG) from the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii: inspiration for a novel synthetic Toll-like receptor 4 agonist”. Marine Drugs (ISSN): 16603397), 2019, 17, 103; doi:10.3390/md17020103

3. Emiliano Manzo,* Carmela Gallo, Laura Fioretto, Genoveffa Nuzzo, Giusi Barra, Dario Pagano, Irene Russo Krauss, Luigi Paduano, Marcello Ziaco, Marina Della Greca, Raffaele De Palma, Angelo Fontana “Diasteroselective colloidal self-assembly affects the immunological response of the molecular adjuvant Sulfavant”. ACS Omega (ISSN): 24701343), 2019, 4 (4), 7807-7814. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.8b03304

4. Emiliano Manzo, Aniello Schiano Moriello, Francesco Tinto, Roberta
   Verde, Marco Allarà, Luciano De Petrocellis, Ester Pagano, Angelo A. Izzo,
   Vincenzo Di Marzo, Stefania Petrosino “A glucuronic acid-palmitoylethanolamide conjugate (GLUPEA) is an innovative drug delivery system and a potential bioregulator” Cells, 2021, 10(2), 450; doi: 10.3390/cells10020450

5. Emiliano Manzo, Adele Cutignano, Dario Pagano, Carmela Gallo, Giusi Barra, Genoveffa Nuzzo, Clementina Sansone, Adrianna Ianora, Konrad Urbanek, Daniela Fenoglio, Francesca Ferrera, Cinzia Bernardi, Alessia Parodi, Giuseppe Pasquale, Antonio Leonardi, Gilberto Filaci, Raffaele De Palma and Angelo Fontana “A new marine-derived sulfoglycolipid triggers dendritic cell activation and immune adjuvant response”. Scientific Reports (Nature) (ISSN): 2045-2322), 2017; 7: 1-10; doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-05969-8

Contacts

   MAIN RESEARCH SITE, POZZUOLI (NA)

   emiliano.manzo@cnr.it

   (+39) 081 8675310


ORCID: 0000-0002-7394-020X

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative

Biography Skills Publications Contacts Biography

Graduated in Food Science and Technology cum Laude at the University of Catania, PhD since 2004 in “Productivity of cultivated plants” at the same University. She trained and specialized by attending courses and internships at UK Leuven (Belgium). Winner of the scholarship L’oréal Italia for women and science (2005), she collaborated for several years on ongoing research at the ISAFOM Catania, where she became researcher (2011) and delegated of the Director for same location (2014-2020). Senior Researcher since 01/01/2021, since 02/10/2023 she has been working at the ICB Catania, in the “Natural Substances and Food Chemistry” research group.

She carried out teaching and training activities for young people in research, as a tutor and speaker for doctoral students (UniFG), and thesis students at the University of Catania and Palermo.

She currently participates in the projects:

-PNRR ONFOODS – 4 Food Quality and Nutrition are involved.

-ALIFUN Development of functional foods for the innovation of traditional Italian food products

-NUTRAGE Nutrition & Active Aging

-SIPROFF Innovative solutions for the production and valorisation of functional baked products.

She collaborates with (I) the University of Catania Di3A (II) the University of Palermo, STEBICEF, (III) the Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, (IV) the CREA of Acireale (CT) and Rome.

Skills Novel Foods
Mediterranean germplasm
Molecules recovery from agricultural wastes
Food fortification
Antioxidants
Fructans Publications

– Cardullo, N.; Muccilli, V.; Di Stefano, V.; Bonacci, S.; Sollima, L.; Melilli, M.G. (2022) Spaghetti Enriched with Inulin: Effect of Polymerization Degree on Quality Traits and α-Amylase Inhibition. Molecules, 27, 2482.

– Di Stefano, V., Pagliaro, A., Del Nobile, M.A., Conte, A., and Melilli, M.G. (2021). Lentil Fortified Spaghetti: Technological Properties and Nutritional Characterization. Foods 10.

– Garbetta, A., D’Antuono, I., Melilli, M.G., Sillitti, C., Linsalata, V., Scandurra, S., and Cardinali, A. (2020). Inulin enriched durum wheat spaghetti: Effect of polymerization degree on technological and nutritional characteristics. J. Funct. Foods 71, 104004.

– Melilli, M.G., Pagliaro, A., Scandurra, S., Gentile, C., and Di Stefano, V. (2020). Omega-3 rich foods: Durum wheat spaghetti fortified with Portulaca oleracea. Food Biosci. 37, 100730.

– Di Stefano, V., Pitonzo, R., Novara, M.E., Bongiorno, D., Indelicato, S., Gentile, C.,
Avellone, G., Bognanni, R., Scandurra, S., and Melilli, M.G. (2019). Antioxidant activity and phenolic composition in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes from south Italy by UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS approach. J. Sci. Food Agric. 99, 1038–1045.

Contacts

  RESEARCH SITE OF CATANIA

   mariagrazia.melilli@cnr.it

  (+39) 095 7338318

ORCID: 0000-0003-3019-4654

Researcher-id https://biblioproxy.cnr.it:2301/authid/detail.uri?authorId=6506744352

View curriculum

ICB Director

Researchers and technologists

Technical and administrative