Research Projects
BIOMHEME
Title: A biomimetic approach to remove free hemoglobin from plasma insPrincipal Investigatorred by bacterial iron capturing systems
Program/Funding: Italian Ministry of University and Researc (MUR)
Start/End: October 2023-September 2025
Principal Investigator: Prof. Luca Ronda (UniPR)
Research group: Prof. Serena Faggiano, Dr. Monica Cozzi (UniPR); Prof. Stefano Guglielmo (UniTO); Prof. Sara Pellegrino, Prof. Giorgio Facchetti (UniMI)
Description: The abnormal breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis) poses an important clinical risk associated with vasoconstriction, oxidative stress and renal failure. The project aims to create a device capable of capturing free plasma hemoglobin by immobilizing peptides capable of binding hemoglobin on a support. These peptides are bioinsPrincipal Investigatorred by hemoglobin-binding bacterial proteins such as Staphylococcus aureus hemophores.
COPE
Title: COvalent molecules to tackle Pancreatic cancEr metabolism
Program/Funding: Fondazione UniMI
Start/End: October 2024 - December 2026
Principal Investigator: Prof. Chiara Borsari (UniMI)
Research group: Prof. Stefano Brunol, Dr. Antonio Scarano (UniPR); Prof. Alessandra Fiore (UNIVR); Prof. Luca Mollica, Prof. Saverio Minucci (UniMI)
Description: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm with a poor prognosis and an increasing incidence. The main therapeutic challenges arise from the difficulty of diagnosing PDAC at an early stage, its particularly invasive nature and the limited response to standard chemotherapy treatments. The team aims to develop a drug therapy targeting cancer metabolism using covalent molecules.
DEFENCE
Title: DEvelopment oF pan-coronavirus agENts targeting host and viral heliCasEs
Program/Funding: Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale 2022 (PRIN2022), Ministero Dell’Università e della Ricerca (MUR)
Start/End: October 2023/October 2025
Principal Investigator: Marco Radi (UniPR)
Description: The project focuses on the development of new molecules capable of inhibiting the activity of specific cellular and viral helicases to be used as broad-spectrum antivirals.
ERK hyper-activation as an innovative and promising mechanism of action of bile acid derivatives in glioblastoma treatment
Program/Funding: Università di Parma – Bando di Ateneo per la ricerca 2024 -Azione B.
Start/End: September 2024 – August 2026
Principal Investigator: Dr. Carmine Giorgio (UniPR)
Research Team: Prof. Massimilano Tognolini; Prof. Elisabetta Barocelli (UniPR)
Description: The aim of this project is to validate ERK hyper-activation as a new and innovative mechanism of action of bile acid derivatives exploitable in GBM therapy.
FutureData4EU
Title: High performance computing and data analysis in drug design and discovery
HORIZON-MSCA-COFUND EU
Start/End: 1/3/2025 – 29/2/2028
Principal Investigator: Alessio Lodola
GLYMED
Title: Repositioning of glycosaminoglycans in new medicines for the treatment of degenerative osteoarticular diseases
Program/Funding: EUROPEAN FUNDS OF THE EMILIA-ROMAGNA REGION
(PR-FESR EMILIA ROMAGNA 2021-2027 Priority 1 – Action 1.1.2)
Start/End: 20/10/23 – 20/4/26
Principal Investigator: Prof. Ruggero Bettini (UniPR)
Research Team: Prof. Annalisa Bianchera, Prof. Fabio Sonvico, Prof. Cristina Padula UniPR)
Description: The GLYMED project aims to develop new medicines for the treatment of osteoarticular degenerative diseases, based on the repositioning of glycosaminoglycans (in particular pentosan polysulphate), already available as medicinal products, providing more effective solutions for these conditions. The focus of the project is the optimization and reformulation of these molecules with the purpose of bringing the product to the clinical stage with a complete preclinical dossier, reducing development risks and accelerating the approval process.
HDLin SM
Title: Exploring brain and serum HDL (dys)functions in Multiple Sclerosis.
Program/Funding: Università di Parma - Bando di Ateneo per la Ricerca 2023 - Azione A.
Start/End: 1/03/2024-1/03/2026
Principal Investigator: Prof. Francesca Zimetti (UniPR)
Research Team: Dr. Marcella Palumbo (UniPR)
Description: The project aims to characterize the cerebral and plasma HDL of patients with multiple sclerosis, compared with control patients, in terms of anti-inflammatory function and capacity to promote cholesterol efflux.
Identification of natural products as gene repressors towards a new paradigm to combat antibacterial resistance
Funding: FSE+ 2021/2027 Regione Emilia-Romagna
Principal Investigator: Gabriele Costantino
Note: One PhD grant to be offered for the 41st Cycle (2025)
Implementation of an isotope-based assay to measure the reverse cholesterol transport in vivo
Program/Funding: Università di Parma - Bando di Ateneo per la Ricerca 2023 - Azione A.
Principal Investigator: Prof. Ilaria Zanotti (UniPR)
Research Team: Dr. Beatrice Mattina (UniPR)
Description: The aim of the project is the development of a new method to assess macrophage reverse cholesterol transport in rodents, using stable isotopes as cholesterol tracer.
Innovative therapeutic interventions against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Program/Funding: PRIN2022, NextGeneration EU, Ministero MUR, Italia domani PNRR
Start/End: 18/10/2023 -17/10/2025
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Prof. Francesca Bianchini (UniFI)
Unit leader: Prof. Andrea Sartori (UniPR)
Participants: Prof. Lucia Battistini, Drs Kelly Bugatti e Michela SPrincipal Investigatorrelli (UniPR)
Description: The αvβ6 integrin plays a crucial role in the activation of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), the key pro-fibrotic mediator involved in the progression of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). This project aims to synthesize and evaluate the biological activity of novel covalent conjugates that link an αvβ6 integrin ligand to antifibrotic drugs (nintedanib or Principal Investigatorrfenidone) via cleavable or non-cleavable linkers. The integrin ligand is intended to directing the drugs to fibrotic areas and, at the same time, inhibiting TGFβ activation.
Kinase inhibitors as microbicides for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
Program/Funding: InnoSTEP: a Proof of Concept Program (University of Lausanne, Switzerland)
Start/End: June 2024/June 2025
Coordinator: Prof. Marco Radi (UniPR)
Description: The project focuses on the development of new inhibitors of cellular kinase to be used as microbicides for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Micro4Nano
https://www.micro4nano.unipr.it/
Title: Multifunctional nanocarriers for nonlinear microscopy: new tools for biology and medicine
Program/Funding: EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
H2020-MSCA-RISE
Start date-end date: 1/10/2021-30/09/2026
Principal Investigator: Prof. Cristina Sissa (UniPR)
Research Team: Prof Silvia Pescina, Prof Fabio Sonvico (UniPR)
Description: The EU-funded Micro4Nano project aims to develop methods for 3D visualisation, combining hyperspectral imaging of autofluorescent species with structural information from second-harmonic generation signals and multifunctional fluorescent labels through the multiphoton microscopy. A new generation of multifunctional nanocarriers for two-photon microscopy and drug delivery will be designed for real-time monitoring of living cells and tissues.
MNESYS
Title: A multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease.
Program/Funding: MUR, Bando competitivo PNRR (Avviso n. 341 del 15.03.2022 Partenariati Estesi), Missione 4 “Istruzione e ricerca” – Componente 2 – Investimento 1.3, finanziato dall’Unione europea – NextGenerationEU.
Start/End: 1/11/2024 - 31/10/2025
Unit Principal Investigator: Prof. Marco Mor (UniPR)
Research Team: Prof. Silvia Rivara, Prof. Francesca Zimetti, Dr. Bianca Papotti (UniPR)
Description: The aim of the project is the development of innovative pharmacological approaches to counteract neurodegeneration, identification of new biomarkers of neurodegeneration.
NanoRet
Title: Nanocarriers Optimization for Periocular Drug Delivery to the Retina
Program/Funding: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF
Start/End: 1/11/2024-31/10/2026
Principal Investigator: Prof Silvia Pescina (UniPR)
Research team: Dr Nadia Toffoletto (UniPR)
Description: The NanoRet project aims to develop and optimize an ex vivo ocular model that can limit the use of animal testing during the evaluation of new ophthalmic formulations for the posterior segment of the eye. In addition to the ethical implications, the model will help reduce the costs of develoPrincipal Investigatorng new ocular pharmaceutical forms. By using in silico models and organs-on-a-chip, NanoRet aims to enhance the understanding of drug transport mechanisms in ocular tissues.
PANVIRIDE
Title: Preparedness Against Newly-emerging Viruses: Innovations in Research,
Intervention, and Drug Evolution
Program/Funding: European Union, NextGeneration EU-MUR PNRR Extended Partnership initiative on Emerging Infectious Diseases; INF-ACT Cascade Open Call 2023
Start/End: 04/04/2024 -30/10/2025
Principal Investigator: Prof. Marco Radi (UniPR)
Research team: Prof. Franca Zanardi, Prof. Claudio Curti, Prof. Lucia Battistini, Prof. Andrea Sartori (UniPR)
Collaborators from UNIPG, UNIPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, UNISS, UNISA, UNICZ, Virostatics Srl
Description: The project focuses on the development of new potential broad-spectrum antiviral drugs active both on viral targets and on cellular proteins exploited by different families of viruses for their replication.
PUFA-WAR
Title: PolyUnsaturated Fatty acids in Antarctic diatoms: metabolic biodiversity and impact of Global WARming (PUFA-WAR)
Program/Funding: Italian Ministry of University and Researc (MUR)
Start/End: October 2024- October 2026
Principal Investigator: Prof. Stefano Bruno (UniPR)
Research group: Prof. Federica Vacondio, Dr. Roberta Giaccari (UniPR); Dr. Daniela Giordano (Istituto di Bioscienze e Biorisorse), Prof. Melody Clark (Cambridge University, UK)
Description: Diatoms, the main photosynthetic algae, produce more than half of the primary biomass and are a major source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are essential for marine life. In Antarctic species, PUFAs regulate membrane fluidity, counteracting low temperature and high pressure. This two-year project will investigate the genetic and metabolic diversity of PUFA enzymes to understand the impact of climate change on their synthesis and the Antarctic ecosystem.
SPOT
Title: Dynamics of recruitment of macromolecular complexes active on the mycobacterial orisome: mechanistic details and target validation
Program/Funding: Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale 2022 (PRIN2022), Ministero Dell’Università e della Ricerca (MUR)
Start/End: 1/10/2023-30/09/2025
Principal Investigator: Prof. Riccardo Miggiano (UniUPO)
Member: Prof.ssa Giannamaria Annunziato (UniPR)
Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), mainly affecting the lungs and spreading via airborne droplets. Drug-resistant strains (MDR/XDR) hinder eradication efforts, making new antibiotics crucial. This project targets DNA replication, focusing on the DciA/DnaB and DnaA/DnaB/DciA complexes. By studying their structure and interactions, it aims to design peptide inhibitors that disrupt key protein interactions, offering a novel anti-TB strategy.
Sustainable Asymmetric Synthesis of Function-Rich Heterocycles
Program/Funding: Donation in memory of Prof. Giovanni Casiraghi, past Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Pharmaceutical department of the University of Parma and eminent, internationally renewed scientist. The donation is intended to funding PhD grant at the Doctorate Course “Drug Sciences” of the Department of Food and Drug (University of Parma) aimed at research in the bio-organic synthesis domain.
Start/End: 01/11/2024 -31/10/2027
Principal Investigator: Prof. Franca Zanardi (UniPR)
Research team: Proff. Claudio Curti (UniPR)
Description: The primary aim is to develop innovative synthetic methodologies for the creation of chiral, enantioenriched heterocyclic compounds with potential bioactivity. The research will develop along three steps: 1)
Synthesis of carbocycle-fused uracil derivatives con antiviral activity; 2) development of novel photocatalytic reactions for the precise functionalization of the uracile ring; 3) extension of the photocatalytic approach to other heterocycles
IG22873
Title: Targeting Cancer Stem Cells niche for glioblastoma chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Program/Funding: FONDAZIONE AIRC PER LA RICERCA SUL CANCRO
Coordinator: Prof. Massimiliano Tognolini (UniPR)
Research Team: Dott. Giorgio Carmine, Dott.ssa Flammini Lisa, Dott.ssa Ferrari Francesca, Dott. Sala Stefano, Dott. Elisa Cerretani, Prof. Lodola Alessio (UniPR)
Start/End: 01/01/2020 – 31/12/2026.
Description: Glioma stem cells (GSCs) can hijack ePrincipal Investigatorgenetic regulators to sustain their pool and resist to targeted theraPrincipal Investigatores and RT. EphA and EphB receptors are overexpressed in GSCs where their activation maintains an undifferentiated, self-renewing tumor Starpopulation. In our project we propose to target the Eph-ephrin system, a couple of proteins poorly expressed in healthy adult tissues but largely expressed in tumor tissues and GSCs, because its perturbation can result in the differentiation of GSCs, bypassing chemo- resistance.
TREAT-AD.
Title: Pharmacological inhibiTion of PCSK9 in AlzheimeR’s disEAse: in viTro And in vivo studies.
Program/Funding: Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale 2022 (PRIN2022), Ministero Dell’Università e della Ricerca (MUR)
Start/End: 16/10/2023-16/10/2025
Unit Principal Investigator: Prof. Francesca Zimetti (UniPR)
Research Team: Prof. Ilaria Zanotti, Dr. Marcella Palumbo (UniPR)
Description: The project aims to test through in vitro and in vivo studies the efficacy of the pharmacological inhibition of PCSK9 in Alzheimer's disease by newly synthesized small molecules.
Unirecondition
Title: Una nuova soluzione acellulare per ricondizionare gli organi a scopo di traPrincipal Investigatoranto durante la perfusione ex-vivo (Uni-recondition)
Program/Funding: Emilia-Romagna Region
Start/End: October 2023- October 2026
Principal Investigator: Prof. Stefano Bruno (UniPR)
Research group: Prof. Stefano Bettati, Prof. Barbara Campanini, Prof. Samanta Raboni (UniPR); Prof. Matteo Ravaioli (UniBO); Dott. Aldo Tomasi (Fondazione Democenter)
Description: The project aims to develop SANO-O, an innovative biotechnological product that improves the oxygenation of organs such as kidneys and liver, making them more suitable for transplantation. Already tested in the laboratory, it will be fine-tuned for use on a machine and advance to application phases. Research centres and biomedical companies are collaborating on the project, with clinical trials at the IRCCS in Bologna. The project aims to offer new solutions to increase the chances of transplantation.