Please use the menu on the left (or the list below) for a more detailed description of the research activities currently under investigation in our labs.

Main Research Topics:

• Aggregation and fibrillation processes of proteins
• Conformational heterogeneity in amorphous system, in collaboration with the LAMP group of DiFi.

Projects:

• "Development of a molecular strategy for the prevention of proteins aggregation and fibrillogenesis: a biophysical approach" PRIN 2008 project with the Italian Ministry for University and Research.
• “Role of the metal ions in the aggregation processes of proteins, PRIN 2005 project with the Italian Ministry for University and Research.

Technological transfer activities:

• Project "Oil Olive Quality Control" - POR Sicilia - Mis. 3.15-C, in collaboration with Dr. P. L. San Biagio (IBF - Biophysical Institute of Palermo - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Palermo - Italy)
• NaBla Nano-functional Biomaterials Laboratories.
• MeSIAM - Regional Laboratory of CNISM.

Other current research topics:

• “Oligomers formation of proteins in live cells” in collaboration with Prof. E. Gratton and Dr. M. A. Digman (Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics University of California, Irvine).
• “Effects of Glycation on aggregation processes of proteins” in collaboration with Prof. E. Bourdon and Dr. P. Rondeau (Université de La Réunion, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire - LBGM)-Groupe d'Etude sur l'Inflammation Chronique et l'Obésité.
• "Polymer composites and nanocomposites" in collaboration with Prof. G. Spadaro and Dr. C. Dispenza (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Processi e dei Materiali, University of Palermo).
• “Influence of metal ions on aggregation processes of proteins” in collaboration with Dr. A. Torreggiani and Dr. A. Tinti
  (CNR-I.S.O.F Bologna and Dipartimento di Biochimica, University of Bologna, Bologna).
• “Amyloid formation and cytotoxicity” in collaboration with Dr. M. Di Carlo group CNR- IBIM Palermo.

Other collaborations:

• POLIZIA di stato, scientifical department (main office of Palermo).