Research lines
Molecular and cellular mechanisms in fibrotic lung diseases
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and devastating fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown cause. To date, no proven cures are available for the treatment of IPF, thus prognosis remains extremely poor. Our research focuses on molecular and cellular processes driving lung fibrogenesis. We aim at exploring potential mechanisms for novel anti-fibrotic and tissue-regenerative approaches.
Current research:
- Identification of new fibrosis-related genes using in silico and in vitro assays
- Processing and isolation of primary cells from lung biopsies of patients with lung fibrosis
Laboratory expertise:
- Isolation and characterization of MSC from a variety of tissues
- Isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles by fibrotic lung
- Ex vivo amplification, introducing both standard and innovative culture conditions
- Immunophenotyping and FACS sorting
- Proliferation and migration assays
- Plasmid vector construction, cell modification and protein expression analysis by flow cytometry and ELISA assay
- Time-lapse microscopy
- Multiparametric histological analyses and microscopy
Clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells in acute lung injury
We aim at investigating the potential therapeutic role of MSCs in restoring and regenerate damaged lung tissue
Current research:
- Exploring clinical models of cell therapy in patients with COVID19 induced acute lung injury
Laboratory expertise:
- Isolation and characterization of MSC from a variety of tissues
- Ex vivo amplification, introducing both standard and innovative culture conditions
- Plasmid vector construction, cell modification and protein expression
- Immunophenotyping and FACS sorting
- Proliferation and migration assays
- Plasmid vector construction, cell modification and protein expression analysis by flow cytometry and ELISA assay
- Time-lapse microscopy
- Multiparametric histological analyses and microscopy
Clinical application of adult epithelial stem cells in airways diseases
We want to explore fundamental biological aspects of adult epithelial stem cells (EASC) and their properties in the context of airways tissue regeneration
Current research
- Epithelial airways regeneration through a combined use of biomaterials and well characterized EASC, identifying key players governing and maintaining the regeneration process
- Supportive function of EASC in improving performance of tissue transplantation
- Exploring interaction between EASC and innovative biomaterials in promising biomedical applications
Laboratory expertise:
- Ex vivo amplification by introducing both standard and innovative culture conditions
- Immunophenotyping and sorting
- Pre-clinical in vivo models of tissue regeneration combining cells and biomaterials
- Pre-clinical in vivo testing of biocompatibility
- Multiparametric histological analyses and microscopy
- Early clinical implementation and regulatory requirements