IGM research activities focus on the analysis of fundamental biological processes and are integrated with a likewise qualified translational research. Three main lines of research are active: 1) molecular analysis and cellular biology of hereditary genetic diseases, 2) molecular characterization of acquired genetic diseases such as tumors and their progression to metastasis, 3) development of techniques and screening of new compounds. Research activities exploit state-of-the-art methodologies applied to molecular biology, cellular biology and bio-computing analysis of complex biological problems.

THE CELL NUCLEUS AND RNA MOLECULES

• Alternative splicing and tumor progression

Claudia Ghigna, Giuseppe Biamonti

• Non-coding RNAs, heterochromatin and structural/functional organization the human cell nucleus

Giuseppe Biamonti

THE CELL NUCLEUS AND DNA REPLICATION

• Initiation of DNA replication: dissection of a human DNA replication origin.

Fiorenzo Peverali, Giuseppe Biamonti

• Dynamics of replication factories

Alessandra Montecucco, Giuseppe Biamonti, Simone Sabbioneda

 

NON-CODING RNA IN THE CELLULAR RESPONSE TO DNA DAMAGE

Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna, Sofia Francia

 

TRANSCRIPTION AS A SOURCE OF DNA DAMAGE DURING REPLICATION

Giordano Liberi

 

BASIC MECHANISMS OF THE NUCLEAR MEMBRANE FUNCTION AND PATHOGENIC MECHANISMS OF LAMINOPATHIES

Cristina Capanni, Vittoria Cenni, Rosalba Del Coco, Giovanna Lattanzi, Elisabetta Mattioli, Stefano Squarzoni

 

HEREDITARY DISORDERS WITH DEFECTS IN DNA REPAIR. FUNCTIONAL AND GENETIC ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INVOLVED IN GENOME STABILITY. 

Miria Stefanini, Elena Botta, Tiziana Nardo, Roberta Ricotti

 

GENOME INSTABILITY AND CELLULAR TRANSFORMATION

Chiara Mondello, Ilaria Chiodi

 

GENOME INTEGRITY CHECKPOINTS OF CELL CYCLE

Ennio Prosperi

 

MOUSE MODELS TO STUDY GENE FUNCTION “IN VIVO”
Carla Tribioli

 

 

DNA ENZYMOLOGY AND MOLECULAR VIROLOGY

Giovanni Maga, Emmanuele Crespan, Federico Focher

 

• ENZYMOLOGY OF DNA REPLICATION
• NOVEL ANTIVIRAL STRATEGIES AGAINST HCV/HIV INFECTIONS
• HIV DRUG RESISTANCE
• NOVEL TARGETS FOR ANTICANCER CHEMOTHERAPY
• STUDY OF HUMAN AND VIRAL ENZYMES INVOLVED IN THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF NUCLEOTIDES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEOSIDE AND NON-NUCLEOSIDE COMPOUNDS WITH ANTINEOPLASTIC AND ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY
• STUDY OF NOVEL ENZYMIC TARGETS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DRUGS AGAINST PATHOGENIC AGENTS RESPONSIBLE OF POVERTY RELATED DISEASES

  

DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE OPTICAL TECHNIQUES AND METHODS IN BIOLOGY AND BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS  

Giuliano Mazzini, Anna Cleta Croce

 

LIPID SIGNALLING MOLECULES AS TARGETS IN CANCER THERAPY

William Blalock, Francesca Chiarini, Camilla Evangelisti

The general topic of this group research is the analysis of the biological evolutionary mechanisms on an empirical and theoretical basis.

Empirical research regards the study of genetic migration through the spatial distribution of surnames that, considered as genetic markers, allow to follow movements of individuals and so of their genes. Other studies on evolution regarded consanguinity, genetic drift and inbreeding of the Italian population.

Utilizing information available in literature and different databases a general model for the metabolism (metabolic hypercycle) is utilized to formulate specific models for complex diseases, in particular for autoimmune diseases.

COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY

Silvia Bione, Antonella Lisa, Ornella Fiorani, Ginevra Biino

MODELLING OF BIOLOGICAL NETWORKS

Giuseppe Damiani

 

 

 

PATHOGENIC MECHANISMS IN MUSCULAR DYSTROPHIES

Vittoria Cenni, Giovanna Lattanzi, Elisabetta Mattioli, Patrizia Sabatelli, Stefano Squarzoni

 

CELL BIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY OF THE EXTRA-CELLULAR MATRIX

Patrizia Sabatelli, Stefano Squarzoni

 

CELL BIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY OF NEURO TRANSMITTERS

Spartaco Santi

 

CELL BIOLOGY OF BONE PRECURSORS AND RELATION WITH BIOMATERIALS FROM ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANTS

Nicoletta Zini

 

STUDY OF ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT WEAR

Stefano Squarzoni