College contact persons: prof. Maria Paola Paronetto; prof. Ivan Dimauro; Tutor: prof. Daniela Caporossi,

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of control, response and adaptation to movement, and their involvement in aging and noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and neuromotor disorders. Our studies involve the application of experimental methodologies and innovative biotechnologies on “in vivo” protocols, both in humans and in mouse models, and “in vitro,” on different cellular models (tumor, neuronal, muscle). Specific competencies of the group include:

• “omics” functional movement and in noncommunicable diseases;
• Co- and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and its modulation in response to intra- and extracellular signaling;
• Role of redox homeostasis (antioxidant systems, redox-sensitive signaling molecules, oxidative stress response proteins) in maintaining cellular homeostasis and tissue or systemic response to exercise.

Methods: primary and stabilized cell cultures; extraction, purification and analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins (electrophoresis, western blot, conventional and quantitative PCR); cytofluorimetry; conventional and confocal microscopy (cytogenetics, immunohistochemistry, comet assay); cloning; expression and purification of recombinant proteins.