Nano Ennio received his master's degree in Biomolecular and Biomedical Biology from the University of Piemonte Orientale in July of 2021. From November of 2021 to the end of October 2023, he held a scholarship and worked in the Genomics Translational Laboratory at Ospedale Policlinico San Martino. From November of 2023, he has been attending the 1° year of a PhD program in computational genomics applied to translational oncology at the University of Genoa. From mid-November of 2023, he has also held a position of health researcher in the Unit of Molecular Pathology at the Institution of Ospedale Policlinico San Martino of Genoa. His research interests include the deciphering of tumor intraheterogeneity in hematologic and solid tumors from whole exome and whole genome sequencing data, the dissection of chronic lymphocytic leukemia microenvironment composition from cell RNA sequencing and suspension mass cytometry data. His research topics mainly include computational genomics, single-cell data analysis, WGS/WES, and RNA sequencing.
2022–: Postdoc (tenure track) Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy, Head: Ulrich Pfeffer. 2017–2022 Post-doctoral fellowship, Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy, Head: Ulrich Pfeffer. 2020: PhD in Information Engineering, University of Padua, Italy. 2015: master's degree in Bioinformatics, University of Bologna, Italy. 2013: bachelor's in Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Italy. His research topics mainly include bioinformatics, cancer genomics, and NGS.
Education 2022–: Health-based Specialization Schools Clinical Pathology and Biochemistry, University of Eastern Piedmont, UPO, Novara, Italy. 2010: PhD in Biophysics Roma, University La Sapienza, Italy. 2008: Enrolled in the ‘Ordine dei Biologi’ Register at n° AA_065072. 2006: master's of science Genetics Biotechnologies Roma, University La Sapienza, Italy (110/110 cum laude). 2004: B. Sc. Biotechnology Roma, University La Sapienza, Italy (110/110 cum laude). Research Experience and Fundings. 2022–: PI and Coordinator of a project on uveal melanoma molecular carcinogenesis at IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy. Funder: Italian Ministry of Health; budget: EUR 75,000. 2016–2019: Researcher U.O. Molecular Pathology at IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy. 2015–2016: Researcher Assistant in General Microbiology, DISTAV, University of Genoa, Italy. 2013–2015: Researcher Assistant in U.O. Integrated Molecular Pathology at IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy. 2009–2013: Researcher fellow in S.S. Functional Genomics Junior Researcher at the National Cancer Institute (IST), Genoa, Italy. Her research topics mainly include cancer genomics, melanoma uveale, chemoprevention, metabolism, NGS; transcriptomics, and epigenetics.
Paola Monti earned, from the University of Genoa (Italy), a degree in Biological Sciences cum laude (master's in Medical Genetics cum laude (2010)). She has now a permanent position as a researcher (Dirigente Biologo Sanitario) at IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa (Italy). To date, her work in the field of cancer research has resulted in 62 publications with an h-index 24. Key points of her research activity are functional studies of the tumour suppressor P53 protein in order to evaluate its role in cancer progression. Her research topics mainly include yeast, p53, p73, p63, and mutations.
Monica Colombo is a permanent researcher of Ospedale Policlinico San Martino. Her studies focus primarily on the characterization of the BCR repertoire in different disorders (initially multiple sclerosis, then chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and on the role of the microenvironment in CLL. In the last years, she has started to characterize extra vesicles and cells of patients with Diffuse Large B cell lymphoma treated with anti-CD19 CAR T-cell. She collaborates with different groups and is responsible for a genomic laboratory participating in experimental design and library preparation of RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq (RApsody and 10x Genomics), and microRNA library.
After receiving a master's degree in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the University of Genoa (UniGE) in 2018, I was awarded a Fellowship from Compagnia San Paolo at the Biotherapy Unit of IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino in Genoa. In June 2023, I secured a position as a Health Researcher at the Molecular Pathology Unit of IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, where I initiated my independent research on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and was awarded a grant to investigate metabolic alterations in CLL. In early 2024, I was accepted into the Specialization School in Clinical Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Eastern Piedmont, which I will attend alongside my research work. In 2024, I also completed my PhD in Biotechnology in Translational Medicine in the Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology curriculum at UniGE. During my PhD, I spent several months as a visiting scientist fellow at the Biomedical Innovation Unit at the CIEMAT Institute in Madrid. My expertise is focused in particular on cellular energetic metabolism, molecular biology, and oncological and hematological diseases, as demonstrated by my 25 publications in the last 3 years, featured in peer-reviewed journals indexed on Scopus (H-Index: 8, total citation number: 136, total Impact factor: 141.247). My research topics mainly include biochemistry, cancer, molecular biology, pharmacology and toxicology, and metabolism and disease.
I received my master's degree in Molecular Biotechnology from the University of Turin in 2023, and I’m now pursuing my PhD in Biotechnologies in Translational Medicine at the University of Genoa. As a master's student at the University of Turin, I focused on the molecular determinants contributing to cAMP dysfunction in cancer cachexia (2021–2023). My current research topics mainly include the characterization of cells in the tumor microenvironment and their interactions with the neoplastic clones in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. My research topics mainly include molecular biology, cellular signalling, tumor microenvironment, chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Education: 2001: postgraduate degree in Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Genoa, Medical School, Italy; 1994: PhD in Immunological Sciences, University of Genoa, Medical School, Italy; 1989: master's degree in Biological Sciences, University of Genoa, Medical School, Italy. Work experience: 2022–present: full professor of Human Anatomy at the University of Genoa; 2015–present: head of the Molecular Pathology Unit at the IRCCS-Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; 2007–present: head of a research group at the Human Anatomy Section, University of Genoa; 2005–2022: associate professor of Human Anatomy at the University of Genoa; 2000–2005: senior investigator in the Section of Human Anatomy, University of Genoa; 1996–1999: postdoctoral fellow at the laboratory of Clinical Immunology-IST, Genoa, Italy; 1994–1996: post-doctoral fellow at the laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (North Shore Hospital, Manhasset, NY). Research grants: coordinator/collaborator of institutional grants founds 5x1000 by Italian Ministry of Health; 2018–2020: MSCA individual fellowships 2017; 2015–2017 and 2010–2012: grants by AIRC. Memberships: 2007–present: Italian Society of Histology and Anatomy; 2013–presest: the American Association of Immunologists. Research topics: antigen stimulation in B-cell-derived lymphomas and leukemias and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Antonella Bruzzese graduated in Medicine from the Catholic University of Rome in 2013, and she specializes in Hematology from Sapienza University of Rome in 2019. She worked at the Hematology department of the Pediatric Hospitlal Bambin Gesù from 2020 to August 2021. Currently, she is working as a doctor at the Hematology department of Cosenza since September 2021. Her research topics mainly include AML and MDS.
Enrica Antonia Martino received his degree in Medicine from the University of Perugia in 2013 and specialization in Hematology from the University of Catania in 2020. She works as medical doctor at the department of Hematology of Cosenza. Her research topics mainly include CLL and multiple myeloma.
Education: 2005: postgraduate degree in Hematology (70/70 cum laude), University of Bologna, Italy (70/70 cum laude); 2000: degree in Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy ((110/110 cum laude). Work experience: 2006–present: medical doctor at the Hematology department of Cosenza, Italy; 2017–present: responsible for hematology diagnostics unit (UOS) at the Hematology department of Cosenza. His research topics mainly include CLL and multiple myeloma.
Noemi Puccio (MSc) graduated in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Milan in 2022. She started her research activity in 2022 in the onco-hematology field, obtaining a research fellowship at the laboratory of molecular onco-hematology, IRCCS Fondazione Ca’ Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano. During this period, she developed her competences in addressing scientific questions, defining problems, and planning experiments. She acquired good technical skills by working with hematological cell lines and performing functional and molecular assays. Currently, she is pursuing an international PhD program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM) at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. She carries out her research activity at the translational research laboratory working in strict collaboration with Professor Antonino Neri. She is involved in Professor I.G. AIRC Grant (IG-24365) contributing to the characterization of the transcriptional role and the druggability of the long non-coding RNA NEAT1 in multiple myeloma. She adopted molecular and computational approaches to define the precise molecular mechanisms that underpin NEAT1’s pro-oncogenic function, unveiling novel potential vulnerabilities in the disease. Her efforts resulted in six publications and one first-name publication in an international journal. She presented the results of the projects through oral communications at national congresses, obtaining travel grant awards.
Mariaelena Pistoni received her degree in Biology at the University of Parma in 2002. Then, she moved to the European Institute of Oncology (Milan) to pursue a PhD in Molecular Biology. After obtaining the PhD in 2008, she spent a few years at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute (Milan). In 2011, she moved to the Stem Cell Institute in Leuven (Belgium). Since 2015, Dr. Pistoni has worked in the Laboratory of Translational Research at the AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, focusing her activity on the molecular and cellular characterization of breast cancer progression. Her research topics mainly focus on tumor metabolism, particularly lipid metabolism and changes in mitochondria dynamics, studying the association of these mechanisms with tumor progression. She is the author of several scientific papers in international journals.
Federica Torricelli obtained a master's degree in Medical Biotechnologies at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in 2010. In 2012, she attended a postgraduate course (II level) in Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology at the University of Pavia, acquiring skills in statistical analysis. In 2017 , she obtained a PhD in Bioengineering and Bioinformatics at the University of Pavia. Since 2016, Dr. Torricelli works in the Laboratory of Translational Research at the AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, focusing her activity on the application of next-generation sequencing approaches and the analysis of genomics data for the investigation of mutational and transcriptional profiles in different kinds of tumors. She is the author of 73 scientific papers in international journals. Her research topics mainly include biostatistics, genomics, mesothelioma, and next-generation sequencing.
Graziella D’Arrigo earned her university degree in Statistical and Demographic Sciences from the University of Messina (Italy) in 1998. She went on to complete her Ph.D. in Statistics and Environmental Resources at the same institution in 2004. In 2006, she received a two-year scholarship for a post-doctoral research project focused on Statistics and Environmental Resources at the Faculty of Statistics at the University of Messina. She is a research associate in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the CNR-IFC Research Unit in Reggio Calabria, Italy. Her research focuses primarily on biostatistics and epidemiology.
Gianluigi Greco is a full professor of Computer Science at the University of Calabria, where he has held the position of Department Director of Mathematics and Computer Science since 2018. Since January 2022, he has been the President of the Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence (AIxIA). With over 200 scientific publications in the field of artificial intelligence, he has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the AAIA Fellowship (2022), the EurAI Fellowship (2020), the IJCAI Distinguished Paper Award (2018), the Kurt Gödel Fellowship Award (2014), the Marco Somalvico Award (2009), and the IJCAI-JAIR Best Paper Award (2008). He is a member of the editorial boards of numerous computer science journals and, in particular, serves as an Associate Editor of the Artificial Intelligence Journal.
Giovanni Tripepi received his university degree (2005) in "Statistics and Social Sciences" at the University of Messina (Italy) and a master's of science in Health Sciences (specialization in Epidemiology) (2009) and a PhD in Clinical Epidemiology (2012) at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam (Netherlands). He is the Director of Research at the CNR-IFC Research Unit of Reggio Calabria (ITALY). His research topics mainly include biostatistics and epidemiology.
Carlo Adornetto received his master's degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Genoa in 2019 and is now pursuing a PhD in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Calabria. His research topics mainly include artificial intelligence, agent-based modelling, machine learning, and deep learning.
Massimo Gentile received his degree in Medicine from the University of Perugia in 1999 and Specialization in Hematology from the University La Sapienza of Rome in 2003. He worked as Director of the Hematology Unit of Cosenza (2019) and as an Associate Professor of Hematology in the Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende (CS) Italy (2023). His research topics mainly include CLL and multiple myeloma.
Education: 1974: postgraduate degree, Hematology (50/50 cum laude); 1972: postgraduate degree, Occupational Medicine (50/50 cum laude); 1969: degree in Medicine (110/110 cum laude). Work experience: 2018–present: retired professor, department of experimental medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; 2012–2018: Scientific Director, San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy; 1991–2012: Professor of Medical Oncology and Division Chief, University of Genoa Medical School and Istituto nazionale per la ricerca sul cancro-IST Genoa, Italy; 1987–1991: Consultant of Medical Oncology IST-Genoa, Italy, and Professor of Medical Oncology, University of Torino Medical School, Italy; 1980–1987: Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; 1976–1978: researcher/postdoc Fellow, Rockefeller University New York, NY USA; 1974–1980: Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine, University of Genoa Medical School, Italy; 1972–1974: Internal Medicine resident, University of Genoa Medical School, Italy; 1970–1972: researcher/postdoc Fellow, University of Cambridge, UK, Immunology Division; 1969–1970: intern, Internal Medicine University, Genoa Medical School, Italy. Research activity: studies on surface markers of T and B cells aimed at characterizing markers of T and B cells which could lead to the classification of different cell subsets populations, studies on tumor microenvironment of several neoplasias, and studies on Burkitt lymphoma and on chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Prof. Massimo Negrini is a full professor at the Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Bologna, Italy. He is also the director of the Postgraduate School of Specialization in Medical Genetics of the University of Ferrara and the director of the Molecular Biology Program in the oncology field at the Ferrara University Hospital. He received his Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ferrara in 1991. In addition, he is an editor-in-chief of the BioTech journal. He is also a member of the editorial board of other international biomedical journals focusing on the investigation of nucleic acids in the medical field. His research topics mainly include cancer genomics, microRNA, non-coding RNA, RNA-based diagnostic approaches, and RNA-based therapeutic approaches.
Education: 1986: qualification for the role of Chief of Hematology; 1983: postgraduate degree in Clinical and Laboratory Hematology, University of Rome, Italy; 1980: postgraduate degree in School Hygiene and Medicine, University of Messina, Italy; 1977: 1977: degree in Medicine, University of Messina. Work experience: 2022–present: technical-Scientific Consultant, GRADE Foundation ONLUS Modena, Italy and Bioinformatics consultant at the Oncological Hematology Department, IRCCS Pascale Naples, Italy; 2021–present: On-Board Health Director, Grandi Navi Veloci and Grimaldi lines; 2018–2020: Senior Consultant, Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Augusta Victoria Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel; Retired since June 1, 2017; 2011–2017: President of the Tecnical-Scientific Commission, Fondazione ‘Amelia Scorza Onlus’, Biotech. Research Unit, Aprigliano, Cosenza Italy; 2010-2017: Director of Hematology-Oncology Dep., A.O. di Cosenza, Italy; 1998–2005: Manager Sector ‘Terapie Emato-Oncologiche Sovramassimali’, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit A.O. Bianchi-Melacrino Morelli-Reggio Calabria, Italy; 1996–1998: Medical Assistant Bone Marrow Transplant Unit A.O. Bianchi-Melacrino Morelli; 1992–1995: Aiuto Corresponsabile Bone Marrow Transplant Unit A.O. Bianchi-Melacrino Morelli; 1989–1992; Aiuto Corresponsabile Hematology Unit A.O. Bianchi-Melacrino Morelli; 1979–1989; Medical assistant, Hematology unit A.O. Bianchi-Melacrino Morelli; 1978: Medical Trainee A.O. Bianchi-Melacrino Morelli.
Prof Antonino Neri graduated in Medicine at the University of Milan in 1981 and received postgraduate degrees in Hematology and Medical Genetics in 1984 and 2001, respectively. He earned his PhD in Experimental Hematology at the University of Milan in 1990. He worked from 1885–1990 as a research fellow at the laboratory of Prof. Riccardo Dalla Favera, Department of Pathology, NYU Medical Center, where he performed pioneeristic studies in B-cell lymphoma, mainly concerning the role of c-myc, IGH translocations, and Ras mutation. For these studies, in 1990, he won the «Cecilia Cioffrese» Award from Fondazione Carlo Erba. From 1990 to 2022, he was responsible for the Laboratory of Experimental Hematology and Molecular Genetics of the Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, IRCCS, Milan. In these years, he and his group focused on MM genetics, identifying the t(4;14) translocation, and on the genomic and transcriptomic investigation of CLL and MM, with a major interest in the recent years in the role of noncoding RNA in these diseases, providing novel insights into NEAT1 lncRNA activity. From 2007, he is an Associate Professor of Hematology at the University of Milan. From March 2022, he is the Scientific Director of the Oncology Institute of Azienda-USL IRCCS of Reggio Emilia as appointed by the Italian Ministry of Health. Prof Neri is the author of about 430 publications.
Education: 2000: PhD in Immunology, University of Genoa, Medical School, Italy. 1991: postgraduate degree in General Pathology, University of Genoa, Medical School, Italy (50/50 cum laude). 1987: degree in Biology, University of Messina, Biology School, Italy (110/110 cum laude). Work experience: research/ postdoc fellow AIRC at Clinical Immunology division, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro-IST, Genoa, Italy (1991–1993); research/postdoc fellow AIDS at Clinical Immunology division IST (1994–1996); visiting Scholar at University of Wales College of Medicine Cardiff UK (1997); research/postdoc fellow at Medical Oncology C Division, IST (2000–2004); associate investigator as permanent staff member at Molecular Pathology Unit, San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy (2005–present). Winner of several peer-reviewed research grant applications: Coordinator of projects by the Italian Ministry of Health yrs 2004–2006, 2008–2011, 2009–2011, 2017–2019, 2023–2026, by ISS 2007–2009; 2008–2011 by Compagnia S. Paolo; 2017–2019 Gilead fellowship program 2017 and coordinator/collaborator of institutional grants by founds 5x1000. Recognized investigator in the field of malignant B-cells and of their normal counterparts. Specifically, she is interested in identifying signalling pathways of the neoplastic cells or of the microenvironment, which may be altered in the course of neoplasias and are potentially targetable with drugs or biologicals to inhibit tumor growth.
