Education:
1988 Degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, University of Bologna
1992 PhD (Pharmaceutical Sciences), University of Bologna
Professional Experience:
1988-1989 Grant from Tecnofarmaci, Società per lo sviluppo della ricerca farmaceutica, (Italy)
1991 Research Fellow University College London (Prof. C.R. Ganellin)
1992-1993 Grant from Inverni-Della Beffa SpA (Italy)
1994- 2001 Assistant Professor in Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bologna
2002-present Associate Professor in Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bologna
Research Interests:
The research activity is focused on the design and synthesis of bioactive small molecules, mainly bearing oxa- and aza-heterocyclic scaffolds, some of them related to natural products. In particular, the backbones of xanthones, flavones, chalcones and coumarins, identified as privileged structures, when appropriately decorated led to the discovery of valuable drug candidates for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases (with particular focus on Alzheimer’s disease) and neglected tropical diseases. In the last years, the multitarget approach has been applied to the drug design efforts, resulting in the identification of a number of bioactive small molecules able to simultaneously affect different pathways involved in multifactorial pathologies.
This research resulted in 109 publications in peer reviewed international journals, mainly in the medicinal chemistry field, more than 60 congress communications and a book chapter.
Professional Society Memberships:
Società Chimica Italiana, SCI - Medicinal Chemistry Division
Service Activities:
2005-2011 Member of the Scientific Board of the Research Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bologna.
2007-2016 Member of the Training Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy. University of Bologna – Campus of Rimini
2021- Member of the Scientific Board of the PhD in Biotechnological, Biocomputational, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences
Teaching Activities (1997-Present):
1997/98 Analysis of Medicines I
1998/99 Analysis of Medicines II
1999/2000-2000/01 Special Methodologies in Pharmaceutical Analysis
2001/02 Analysis of Medicines I, faculty of Pharmacy-Campus of Rimini
2004/05-2006/07 Molecular Basis of Drugs Activity, faculty of Pharmacy-Campus of Rimini
2004/05- Medicinal and Toxicological Chemistry II, faculty of Pharmacy-Campus of Rimini
1999-2005 Medicinal and Toxicological Chemistry, School of Specialization in Hospital Pharmacy
2006-present Tutor of 4 PhD students in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
2017- Medicinal and Toxicological Chemistry II, faculty of Pharmacy-Campus of Bologna
Refereeing and Reviewing Activities:
Referee for J. Med. Chem., Bioorg. Med. Chem., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., ChemMedChem, Eur. J. Med. Chem., Biochem. Pharm. ecc.
National and International Collaborations:
Prof. Rolf W. Hartmann Saarland University – Saarbrücken (D); Dott. Vincenzo di Marzo Istituto di chimica biomolecolare, CNR, Pozzuoli (Napoli); Prof. Andrea Tarozzi-Università di Bologna; Prof. Nicoletta Basilico-Università di Milano; Prof. Barbara Monti-Università di Bologna; Prof. Ottavia Spiga-Università di Siena; Dr. Alessandra Magistrato-CNR-IOM-Sissa (Trieste); Prof. Ana Martinez Biological Research Center (CIB) of Spanish National Council for Research (CSIC)-Madrid (E). Prof. A. Belal-University of Alexandria-Egypt; prof.ssa Francesca Bonvicini-Università di Bologna.
