DBSV Research

The Anthropology Laboratory focuses on the study of ancient human remains, particularly skeletons and mummies, reconstructing biological profiles, health status, and funerary practices. In addition to laboratory analyses, it also handles the recovery and preservation of specimens, participates in excavations, and collaborates with museums and cultural institutions. Alongside scientific research, it promotes the valorisation of anthropological heritage through publications, conferences, outreach, and educational activities, making the results accessible to both the academic community and the public.

Members:

Marta Licata – Researcher 
Roberta Fusco – Postdoctoral Fellow 
Chiara Tesi – Research Contract Staff 
Arianna Vanni – PhD Student 
Nicol Rossetti – Research Fellow 
Antonina Mafodda – Research Fellow

Group website: ANTROLAB

ERC Sectors: SH6_5 – Archaeological science, bioarchaeology, environmental archaeology, geoarchaeology

• The Protein Factory 2.0 Group

• Cell Biology Group

• Animal Biotechnology and Aquaculture Group

The research group focuses on the relationships between biodiversity and plant functionality, from individual organisms to populations and plant communities, up to ecosystems. Research activities are carried out both below and above ground. The main research lines include:

- The plant root system, with particular attention to the dynamics and morphology of fine roots and the architecture of structural roots. These characteristics are studied in relation to abiotic, anthropogenic, and environmental stress factors, as well as the addition of organic amendments (biochar) to the growth substrate. This research line also investigates molecular factors controlling root system development and the release of bioactive organic molecules into the rhizosphere. In addition to model plants (Arabidopsis and Populus), studies also focus on species of agronomic and forestry interest.

- Morphological and functional traits, especially leaf traits, for defining functional types and plant strategies. These analyses aim to identify the functional properties of plant communities in relation to environmental characteristics, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. This research has applications in nature management and conservation, particularly in Natura 2000 habitats, as well as in the management of contaminated sites and the utilisation of biomass from invasive alien plant species (IAPS).

- Morphological and molecular traits related to the development of plant organisms under controlled conditions using LED lighting systems.

Team Members:

• Bruno Enrico Leone Cerabolini – Full Professor
• Donato Chiatante – Professor Emeritus
• Antonino Di Iorio – Associate Professor
• Antonio Montagnoli – Associate Professor
• Michele Dalle Fratte – Tenure-Track Researcher
• Peter Beatrice – Postdoctoral Fellow
• Alex Ceriani – Postdoctoral Fellow
• Gustavo Agosto – PhD Student
• Alberto Danieli – PhD Student
• Alice Barbieri – PhD Student
• Antonio Calaresu – PhD Student
• Alessio Miali – Research Fellow

Keywords: Allelopathy, Plant Community Analysis, Innovative Agronomic and Forestry Applications, Root Architecture, Biochar, Biodiversity, Conservation, Root Exudates, Phytoremediation, LED, Fine Roots, Natura 2000 Network, Invasive Alien Plant Species, Plant Strategies, Environmental Stress, Functional Plant Traits 
ERC Sectors: LS3, LS8, LS9, PE10 
Collaborations: Lombardy Region, Regional Agency for Agricultural and Forestry Services (ERSAF), Native Flora Centre (CFA), Italian Environment Fund (FAI), Lombardy Foundation for the Environment (FLA), Alpinia Botanical Garden of Stresa (VB), Natural Sciences Museum of Brescia, University of Tartu (Estonia), University of Milan, University of Molise, National University of Mongolia, “Mediterranea” University of Reggio Calabria, USDA Forest Service Moscow (ID, USA), IBIMET-CNR Florence, University of Lorestan (Iran)

• Organic Chemistry and Photobiology Group

This group focuses on the synthesis of second- and third-generation photosensitisers belonging to the porphyrin, phthalocyanine, and BODIPY families, for subsequent application in in vitro photodynamic therapy, both in antitumour and antibacterial contexts.

Team Members:

• Enrico Caruso – Associate Professor (Head)
• Miryam Chiara Malacarne – Postdoctoral Fellow

Keywords: Photodynamic Therapy, Photosensitisers, Organic Synthesis 
ERC Sectors: PE5_10 Colloid Chemistry; PE5_16 Supramolecular Chemistry; LS7_3 Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics, Drug Discovery and Design, Drug Therapy; LS3_4 Apoptosis 
Collaborations: CNR Bologna; CNR Messina; Mario Negri Institute; University of Milan; John Moores University, Liverpool; Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research

• Polymers and Sustainable Catalysis Laboratory

This group focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of nanostructured polymeric materials. Research is particularly focused on mechanistic studies of polymerisation reactions for the synthesis of polymers with controlled microstructure and on the study of structure–property relationships. The group is also involved in the design and synthesis of polymers from industrial waste and renewable sources using sustainable catalysis. 
L. Izzo and O. Santoro are guest editors for the special issue “Polymer Materials for Application in Biomedical Fields” in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 
L. Izzo is the scientific contact for the synthesis and characterisation of innovative polymeric materials for Prometeon Tyre Group S.r.l.

Team Members:

• Lorella Izzo – Associate Professor (Head)
• Francesco Della Monica – Tenure-Track Researcher (RTDb)
• Orlando Santoro – Tenure-Track Researcher (RTDa)
• Aniello Vittore – PhD Student

Keywords: Polymer Chemistry, Sustainable Catalysis 
ERC Sectors: PE5_7 (Biomaterials), PE5_1 (Structural Properties of Materials), PE5_14 (Homogeneous Catalysis), PE5_15 (Polymer Chemistry) 
Collaborations: University of Toulouse (France), University of Salerno, University of Siena, University of Pavia, University of Sannio, University of Bologna

• Antineoplastic Pharmacology and Nutraceuticals Group
• Neuropsychopharmacology Group

Current research in the laboratory focuses on: 1) evaluating the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids in autism models; 2) investigating the role of the endocannabinoid system in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders; 3) assessing cannabidiol’s ability to modulate long-term adverse effects induced by adolescent exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the brain; 4) studying the role of the endocannabinoid system in brain maturation processes occurring during adolescence.

Team Members:

• Tiziana Rubino – Associate Professor (Head)
• Erica Zamberletti – Researcher
• Marina Gabaglio – Postdoctoral Fellow
• Cristina Manenti – PhD Student

Keywords: Endocannabinoid System, Adolescence, Substance Abuse, Depression, Autism 
ERC Sectors: LS5_3 Neurochemistry and Neuropharmacology, LS5_8 Behavioural Neuroscience, LS5_12 Psychiatric Disorders, LS7_3 Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics, Drug Discovery and Design, Drug Therapy, LS7_5 Toxicology 
Collaborations: University of Milan; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan; University of Ferrara; University of Cagliari

• Toxicology and Pharmacology Group

This group focuses on clinical pharmacology, including the design, analysis, and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Team Members:

• Giampaolo Perletti – Researcher (Head)

Keywords: Clinical Studies, Epidemiological Studies, Meta-Analyses 
ERC Sectors: LS7_3 Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics, Drug Discovery and Design, Drug Therapy 
Collaborations: Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Tzaneion General Hospital, Athens, Greece; ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan

• Cellular and Molecular Physiology Group
• Comparative Pathophysiology Group
• Cellular Neurophysiology Group

• Molecular Genetics Group
• Population Genetics Group
• Human Genetics Group

This group focuses on the structural and functional characterisation of the tumour suppressor gene RNASET2, which encodes the only human member of the T2 ribonuclease family. The gene exhibits strong tumour-suppressive activity that operates via both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms, the latter through interactions with the tumour microenvironment.

Team Members:

• Roberto Taramelli – Full Professor (Head)
• Francesco Acquati – Associate Professor
• Annarosaria de Vito – PhD Student

Group Website: Human Genetics Lab 
Keywords: Tumour Suppressor Gene, T2 Ribonuclease, Tumour Microenvironment, Anticancer Immune Response 
ERC Sectors: LS2_1 Genomics, Comparative Genomics, Functional Genomics; LS2_2 Transcriptomics; LS2_6 Molecular Genetics, Reverse Genetics and RNAi; LS2_8 Epigenetics and Gene Regulation; LS3_2 Cell Biology and Molecular Transport Mechanisms; LS3_3 Cell Cycle and Division; LS3_4 Apoptosis; LS3_11 Cell Genetics; LS4_6 Cancer and its Biological Basis; LS6_1 Innate Immunity and Inflammation; LS6_4 Immunosignalling; LS6_12 Biological Basis of Immunity-Related Disorders 
Collaborations: IRCCS Humanitas – Rozzano; National Cancer Institute; IST – Genoa; Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Advanced Technologies – CNR, Segrate; University of Milan; IRCCS C. Mondino – Pavia; Université de Lyon – Institut NeuroMyoGène, Lyon, France; Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, USA

• Immunology and General Pathology Group
• Tumour Epigenetics Group

This group studies DNA methylation mechanisms and the epigenetic regulation of tumour suppressor genes during cancer development.

Team Members:

• Ian Marc Bonapace – Associate Professor (Head)
• Maria Giovanna de Marino – PhD Student
• Michele Zocchi – PhD Student
• Ramesh Gandusekar – PhD Student
• Monica Mancini – Postdoctoral Researcher

Keywords: Tumours; DNA Methylation; ncRNA; Tumour Suppressors; CAF 
ERC Sectors: LS4_6 Cancer and its Biological Basis 
Collaborations: Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona (CH); University of Trento; University of Trieste; University of Turin; University of Florence; New York University; Abu Dhabi (UAE)

• Microbial Biotechnology Group
• Applied Microbiology Group

• **Invertebrate Biology Group**

The group studies various aspects of insect development and physiology for the development of biotechnological applications. The main research topics include: 1) the study of cell death processes during metamorphosis in holometabolous insects; 2) the use of dipteran larvae for the bioconversion of organic waste and the production of proteins for animal feed and biomaterials; 3) the identification of molecules for the development of sustainable strategies for pest control.

Another research line is conducted on in vivo and in vitro models of Metazoa in the following areas: 1) study and characterization of cells and molecules involved in innate immune responses in annelids; 2) study of the basic mechanisms of cellular differentiation and molecular regulation of tissue regeneration in annelids and cnidarians; 3) amyloidogenesis and innate immune response in annelids.

Members:

• Gianluca Tettamanti – Full Professor (head)
• Annalisa Grimaldi – Associate Professor
• Nicolò Baranzini – Researcher
• Daniele Bruno – Technician
• Sara Caramella – PhD student
• Laura Pulze – PhD student
• Aurora Montali – Postdoctoral fellow

Group website: https://www.dbsv.uninsubria.it/zoologia/
Keywords: Invertebrates; Innate immunity; Regeneration/development; Entomological biotechnology; Circular economy
ERC sectors: LS3_7 Cell death and autophagy; LS9_1 Applied biotechnology; LS8_2 Biodiversity, conservation biology, conservation genetics; LS6_1 Innate immunity in animals and plants; LS3_1 Morphology and functional imaging of cells and tissues
Collaborations: University of Palermo; University of Bologna; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; University of Milan; University of Padua; University of Naples “Federico II”; University of Lille; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1; University of Pecs; Aarhus University; KU Leuven; Cairo University; South China Agricultural University

The Plastic Surgery group conducts ongoing research in various applications of regenerative surgery and microsurgery. The research focuses on the reconstruction of limbs and the breast, both following oncological resections and congenital malformations.

Members:

• Luigi Valdatta – Full Professor (Head)
• Mario Cherubino – Associate Professor
• Davide Sallam – Training Assistant
• Martina Corno – Training Assistant
• Tommaso Baroni – Training Assistant
• Leonardo Garutti – Training Assistant

Keywords: Regenerative Surgery, Stem Cells, Microsurgery, Limbs 
ERC Domains: LS7_4 – Analgesia and Surgery

Through the Clinical Ethics Research Centre, it conducts research, collaborates with Italian and international institutions, and offers training activities at local, national, and international levels in the field of clinical ethics. It is involved in promoting clinical ethics services within hospitals and the wider community.

Members:

• Mario Picozzi (Director of the Clinical Ethics Research Centre - CREC)
• Elena Ferioli (Scientific Coordinator of the Clinical Ethics Research Centre - CREC)
• Silvia Ceruti – PhD student
• Emanuele Mangione – PhD student
• Chiara Rossetti – PhD student
• Marta Vassallo – PhD student
• Francesca Reato – PhD student

Group website: https://crec.uninsubria.it 
Keywords: Clinical Ethics, Ethical Consultation, Organ Transplantation, End of Life, Beginning of Life, GenEthics, NeuroEthics, Biobanks, Informed Consent, Research Integrity, Ethics Committees. 
ERC Sector: LS7_11 
Collaborations: European Association of Centers of Medical Ethics (EACME); European Clinical Ethics Network (ECEN); Interdisciplinary Group of Clinical Bioethics and Ethical Consultation in Healthcare (GIBCE); Northern Italy Transplant Program (NITp); Italian Academy of Osteopathic Medicine (AIMO)

In collaboration with the CRAIIM (Medical Imaging Informatics Research Centre), it deals with methods for automatic segmentation of brain tumour pathologies; another research line is dedicated to the development of quantitative Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging methods.

Members:

• Sergio Balbi – researcher (head)

ERC Fields: LS5_10 - Neuroimaging and computational neuroscience

The group's research activities cover all specialist areas, in particular:

• Hip and knee prosthetic surgery: studies of different prosthetic implant models with particular attention to minimally invasive techniques, the integration of new biomaterials, and the phenomena leading to implant loosening. Validation of material wear assessment methods both through in vivo radiographic studies and on explanted materials.
• Traumatology: use of growth factors and surgical techniques, also in collaboration with colleagues in Plastic Surgery, for the treatment of compressed fractures or functional sequelae related to delayed or non-healing fractures. 
  Development of new surgical device models, such as external fixators with dedicated software, to be used for gradual correction of outcomes like axis deviations or limb shortening.
• Sports traumatology: clinical outcomes of treatment for capsulo-ligamentous injuries in joints such as the knee or ankle. Use of tissue engineering techniques for the treatment of cartilage lesions.
• Shoulder and foot surgery: clinical studies aimed at validating the outcomes of the surgical techniques used.

Members are:

• Fabio D’Angelo – associate professor (responsible)
• Giorgio Pilato – full professor
• Michele Francesco Surace – associate professor

ERC sectors: LS7_8 - Health services, health care research

• Otorhinolaryngology Group

The DBSV has a scientific output of excellence both in terms of quantity and quality of publications. The classification of the Department’s outputs into different macro-categories (journal articles, book chapters, monographs or scientific treatises, conference contributions, databases) shows that over half of the scientific production consists of contributions in SCOPUS and/or WOS indexed journals. The number of high-quality scientific outputs from the Department is significant, with 60% of publications in the first quartile (Q1), of which 40% are in the Top10.

Department Publications

The University’s institutional research repository, where information on scientific production is collected, preserved, and documented for dissemination, is IRInSUBRIA – Public Access Institutional Repository (which also includes doctoral theses).

For more information:

The research activity carried out at DBSV is characterised by a strong interdisciplinary and international dimension. The main active research topics can be grouped into two primary areas (ERC): Life Sciences (LS) and Social Sciences and Humanities (SH). Numerous projects are funded through competitive local, national, and European calls, by associations, agencies, foundations, and national private entities. The Department also supports collaboration with various private companies by providing technological assistance.

The research activities of faculty, doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and grant holders affiliated with the Department have been distinguished both nationally and internationally for quality and innovation. The main recognitions received include:

• Scientific awards (Young Research Award, Best Poster Presentation at national and international conferences, Rare Disease Award)
• Fellowships from international scientific societies (Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology - CIB, EU Trans National Access Grant - AQUAEXCEL, FEMS Young Scientist Meeting Grant)
• Affiliations with prestigious scientific societies as board members
• Editorial leadership of journals and book series