Catania branch office manager

Researcher

Email CNR

Email CNR ISAFOM

Tel: +39  095.6139914

Degree in Biological Sciences, holds a PhD in Biochemical and Biomolecular Sciences and a second PhD in Evolutionary and Environmental Biology. He is currently a Level III Researcher.

His scientific activity focuses on the study of the interactions between plants and the developmental environment, analysed at morphological, physiological and molecular levels. The main objective of his research is to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that allow plants to perceive environmental signals and activate adaptive responses to counteract abiotic stresses.

His research interests include in particular the molecular processes underlying seed development and physiology, addressed through molecular biology methodologies and advanced transcriptomics techniques.

Projects:

Scientific Responsible (WP Leader) of WP3 for CNR-ISAFOM of the HORIZON Project “MOBILES - MONITORING AND DETECTION OF BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC POLLUTANTS BY ELECTRONIC, PLANTS AND MICROORGANISMS BASED SENSORS”.”    https://www.mobiles-project.eu/

PI of the “RES2OX - Investigating Specialised Metabolism' project as an integral factor to improve oxidative stress resilience in native plants exposed to metalloid naturally contaminated soils” financed by the PRIN 2022 PNRR programme - Projects of Significant National Interest. Directorial Decree no. 1409 of 14-09-2022 - CUP B53D23024990001, approved by DD. MUR n.1364 of 1/9/23 -macrosector LS2, Line B - South

The project aims to identify the mechanisms of response to oxidative stress caused by the presence of heavy metals in the soil in wild plants of the Italian flora. In particular, the study was carried out by evaluating the response to the presence of heavy metals in the growth substrates, taking into consideration plants of Brassica rapa L. subsp. sylvestris (L.) Janch. that grows in soils naturally rich in heavy metals, such as the volcanic areas of Etna and Naples. This is pursued through a multilevel investigation by analysing heavy metal concentrations in different tissues and gene expression analysis using transcriptomic analysis platforms.

Scientific responsible for the CNR-ISAFOM Research Unit and WP leader (WP6) of the project funded by the European INTERREG VI-A Italy-Malta programme entitled “REGARD - Habitat Restoration and GARdens for bioDiversity enhancement in cross-border area”.

The research unit has the task of characterising the protected species through genomic analysis using third-generation sequencing methods.

Publications:

https://iris.cnr.it/cris/rp/rp08548

https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=36853608800

CV Apulia