Giuliano Mazzini

Istituto di Genetica Molecolare “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”
c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “L. Spallanzani”

Via Ferrata, 9 Pavia
tel: +39 0382 986266
fax: +39 0382 986430
E-mail: giuliano.mazzini@igm.cnr.it



Research Activity

Main research line is the development of fluorescent staining for quantitative cytochemistry and flow cytometry. Fluorescence histochemistry had been  the “mile-stone” in the “story” of the CNR-Centre even if nowadays histo has been largely replaced by cells and molecules. Quantitative  aspect of cytochemistry had been also a foundamental research theme of the Centre. Among the various cell components considered and studied, the DNA had been and still is in focus, in both basic and applied research programs. Since many decades DNA quantitation had been the main data, useful to understand many biological phenomena, including cell proliferation, cell death (apoptosis), malignant transformation and related radio-chemo treatments. A great methodological/instrumental development know-how, very well established at international level, had always characterized the research group.

In the recent past flow cytometry (FC) has played an important role in cell biology and consequently part of our research has been addressed in this direction. The unbeatable  analytical performance of FC in the area of cell proliferation has stimulated our methodological research towards new multicolor labeling procedures. DNA remained the central data in combination with other morpho-functional cell targets able to track specific cell moments (quiescence, proliferation, differentiation, death,…..). The methodological research of course include the study of new fluorochromes as well as the best condition of labeling. The color-combination of multiparametric FC is limited by the spectral properties of the potential dyes. Researches are in progress on the new generation of fluorochromes (Quantum Dots) in order to verify their practical performances. Preliminary results are not as “brilliant” as they should be!

As far as instrumental researches are concerned, important results has been obtained in both fluorescence microscopy and FC by the introduction of the new solid state illuminators (high power LED) as excitation source. The results are quite brilliant!!

Finally, besides cell analyses, our activity deals with cell capture and separation particularly in the area of the so called “rare events detection” (e.g. epithelial cell and endothelial cell circulating in blood of cancer patients). Newly developed approaches based on the use of magnetic beads (for cell surface targets) and nano-particles (intra-cell labeling) and a proper capture-chamber allow the detection of the above described cell subpopulations.


Recent Publications

2023

Mazzini G; Danova M

Histochemistry in Advanced Cytometry: From Fluorochromes to Mass Probes Book Chapter

In: Marco Biggiogera Carlo Pellicciari, Manuela Malatesta (Ed.): vol. 2556, pp. 1-25, Humana New York, NY, Histochemistry of Single Molecules Methods and Protocols, 2023.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Casali C; Galgano L; Zannino L; Siciliani S; Cavallo M; Mazzini G; Biggiogera M

Impact of heat and cold shock on epigenetics and chromatin structure Journal Article

In: European journal of cell biology, vol. 103, iss. 1, pp. 151373, 2023.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2021

Pelizzo G; Riva F; Croce S; Avanzini MA; Acquafredda G; de Silvestri A; Mazzon E; Bramanti P; Zuccotti G; Mazzini G; Calcaterra V

Proliferation Pattern of Pediatric Tumor-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Role in Cancer Dormancy: A Perspective of Study for Surgical Strategy Journal Article

In: Frontiers in pediatrics, vol. 9, pp. 766610, 2021.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2020

Gaipa G; Erba E; Danova M; Mazzini G; Venditti A; Buldini B; Specchia G; Maglia O; Kunkl A; Ciriello MM; Arpinati M; Mannelli F; Lanza F; Riccioni R; Pistotti V; Apolone G; Società Italiana di Citometria (GIC)

Health technology assessment-based approach to flow cytometric immunophenotyping of acute leukemias: a literature classification Journal Article

In: Tumori, vol. 106, no. 3, pp. 249-256, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2019

Buzzella A; Mazzini G; Vicini R; Angelinetta C; Pastoris O

A preliminary study of an alternative method for evaluating skin sensitizing potential of chemicals. Journal Article

In: International journal of cosmetic science, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 257-264, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2018

Aredia F; Carpignano F; Surdo S; Barillaro G; Mazzini G; Scovassi AI; Merlo S

An Innovative Cell Microincubator for Drug Discovery Based on 3D Silicon Structures Journal Article

In: Journa of Nanomaterials, vol. 2016, pp. 8236539, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Danova M; Torchio M; Comolli G; Sbrana A; Antonuzzo A; Mazzini G

The role of automated cytometry in the new era of cancer immunotherapy. Journal Article

In: Molecular and clinical oncology, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 355-361, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2017

Mazzini G; Danova M

Fluorochromes for DNA Staining and Quantitation. Journal Article

In: Methods in molecular biology - Histochemistry of Single Molecules Methods and Protocols, vol. 1560, pp. 239-259, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Vetro A; Savasta S; Russo Raucci A; Cerqua C; Sartori G; Limongelli I; Forlino A; Maruelli S; Perucca P; Vergani D; Mazzini G; Mattevi A; Stivala LA; Salviati L; Zuffardi O

MCM5: a new actor in the link between DNA replication and Meier-Gorlin syndrome. Journal Article

In: European journal of human genetics, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 646-650, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2016

Bandiera L; Pasini A; Pasotti L; Zucca S; Mazzini G; Magni P; Giordano E; Furini S

Experimental measurements and mathematical modeling of biological noise arising from transcriptional and translational regulation of basic synthetic gene circuits. Journal Article

In: Journal of Theoretical Biology, vol. 395, pp. 153-160, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Danova M; Comolli G; Manzoni M; Torchio M; Mazzini G

Flow cytometric analysis of circulating endothelial cells and endothelial progenitors for clinical purposes in oncology: A critical evaluation. Journal Article

In: Molecular and Clinical Oncology, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 909-917, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Carpignano F; Rigamonti G; Mazzini G; Merlo S

Low-Coherence Reflectometry for Refractive Index Measurements of Cells in Micro-Capillaries. Journal Article

In: Sensors, vol. 16, no. 10, pp. E1670, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Terzaghi L; Tessaro I; Raucci F; Merico V; Mazzini G; Garagna S; Zuccotti M; Franciosi F; Lodde V

PGRMC1 participates in late events of bovine granulosa cells mitosis and oocyte meiosis. Journal Article

In: Cell Cycle, vol. 15, no. 15, pp. 2019-2032, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2015

Mazzini G; Carpignano F; Surdo S; Aredia F; Torchio M; Erba E; Danova M; Scovassi AI; Barillaro G; Merlo S

3D silicon microstructures: a new tool for evaluating biological aggressiveness of tumour cells. Journal Article

In: IEEE Trans Nanobioscience , vol. 14, no. 7, pp. 797-805, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Manzoni M; Comolli G; Torchio M; Mazzini G; Danova M

Circulating endothelial cells and their subpopulations: role as predictive biomarkers in antiangiogenic therapy for colorectal cancer. Journal Article

In: Clinical Colorectal Cancer, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 11-17, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Cansolino L; Clerici AM; Zonta C; Dionigi P; Mazzini G; Di Liberto R; Altieri S; Ballarini F; Bortolussi S; Carante MP; Ferrari M; Gonzalez SJ; Postuma I; Protti N; Santa Cruz GA; Ferrari C

Comparative study of the radiobiological effects induced on adherent vs suspended cells by BNCT, neutrons and gamma rays treatments. Journal Article

In: Applied Radiation and Isotopes, vol. 106, pp. 226-232, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Vigone G; Merico V; Redi CA; Mazzini G; Garagna S; Zuccotti M

FSH and LH receptors are differentially expressed in cumulus cells surrounding developmentally competent and incompetent mouse fully grown antral oocytes. Journal Article

In: Reproduction, fertility and development, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 497-503, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Paolini A; Curti V; Pasi F; Mazzini G; Nano R; Capelli E

Gallic acid exerts a protective or an anti-proliferative effect on glioma T98G cells via dose-dependent epigenetic regulation mediated by miRNAs. Journal Article

In: International Journal of Oncology, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 1491-1497, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Pasotti L; Zucca S; Casanova M; Politi N; Massaiu I; Mazzini G; Micoli G; Calvio C; Cusella De Angelis MG; Magni P

Methods for genetic optimization of biocatalysts for biofuel production from dairy waste through synthetic biology. Journal Article

In: Conference proceedings : Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society., vol. 2015, pp. 953-956, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Zucca S; Pasotti L; Politi N; Casanova M; Mazzini G; Cusella De Angelis MG; Magni P

Multi-Faceted Characterization of a Novel LuxR-Repressible Promoter Library for Escherichia coli. Journal Article

In: Plos One, vol. 10, no. 5, pp. e0126264, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX