Curriculum vitae

Professional experience

Dec 2021-present Head of the Master's degree course of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Padua

Dec 2018-present Full Professor in Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua

Apr 2006 - present I level manager at the Microbiology and Virology Unit of the Padua Hospital.

Nov 2013-Nov 2018 Associate Professor in Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua

Apr 2006 - Nov 2013 Assistant Professor in Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Dept. of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Padua.

Sept 2004 - Mar 2006 Research Associate, Dept. of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies (DHMMB), University of Padua.

Sept 2001 – Aug 2004 Post-doctoral fellow, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padua.

Mar 1999- Aug 2001 Post-doctoral fellow, Dept. of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, UMDNJ, USA.


Education

18 Apr 2005 Ph.D. in Virology: "Antiviral 6-aminoquinolones: molecular basis for potency and selectivity" DHMMB, University of Padua.

26 Feb 2001 Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences: “Inhibition of protein-nucleic acid interactions: new therapeutic approaches” Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padua.

22 Jul 1997 Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology with full marks and honors. Dissertation on: “ Reactivity of the diterpenoid drug clerocidin towards DNA and its components” Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padua.

Sept 1995 – Dec 1995 ERASMUS project: “Nucleic acid condensation with norbornene derivatives” Dept. of Chemistry, University of Bangor, Wales, UK

Most relevant grants as PI

  • Collaborative Center for X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism-Investigator grant (2021). Presence and role of DNA and RNA G- and C-quadruplex structures in the pathogenesis of XDP. LINK

  • CARIPARO Foundation – Scientific research of excellence (2020). Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome-wide mapping of G-quadruplex structures and selective targeting - G4 Myco map&tag. LINK

  • Collaborative Center for X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism-Exploratory grant (2019). Presence and role of DNA and RNA G- and C-quadruplex structures in the pathogenesis of XDP. LINK

  • AIRC-Investigator Grant (2018) Characterization and targeting of G-quadruplexes in the MDM2 P2 promoter for the treatment of liposarcomas. LINK

  • ERC Consolidator Grant (2013) G-quadruplexes in the HIV-1 genome: novel targets for the development of selective antiviral drugs. LINK

  • Bill & Melinda Gates Grand Challenges Explorations Second Phase (2013) HIV-1 LTR G-quadruplex targeting by selective and activable “alkylating/cleaving” small molecules: a conceptually innovative antiviral approach. LINK

  • Bill & Melinda Gates Grand Challenges Explorations First Phase (2011) G-quadruplex: a molecular target for selective HIV-1 cure. LINK

  • ERC Starting Grant (2007)/FIRB Ideas: Novel drugs for targeted anticancer therapy

Memberships/Boards

  • Editorial Board of Nucleic Acids Research since 2021

  • Editorial Board of BBA - Gene Regulatory Mechanisms since 2021

  • Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry since 2020

  • Editorial Board of Scientific Reports-Nature group since 2018

  • Scientific jury of the Galileo award for the dissemination of scientific literature 2016

  • Editorial Board of ISRN Molecular Biology 2011- 2014

  • European Society for Virology (EUSV) founding member since 2009

  • Italian Federation of Pharmacists since 2006

  • Italian Society of Virology (SIV) since 2001